Several restoration projects have taken place both inside the church and on the exterior, but in spite of these changes, the medieval construction has been preserved. Much of the interior dates from the 1600's and is richly decorated with painted neumes, vines and drapes. The church is in daily use as the local parish church, and is open to visitors every day from June to August.
Kaupanger was a market town that king Sverre burned down in 1184 to punish the local inhabitants for disobeying him. This act triggered the battle at Fimreite later that summer, when Sverre Sigurdsson and his loyal supporters (the "Birkebeinere") defeated the royal army. King Magnus Erlingson was killed along with some 2000 men, in a battle which became a dividing line in our history between the Viking Age and a new age.
Just below the church is the manor of the Knagenhjelm family, and about a mile further east lies the manor of the Heiberg family.
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