The Cathedral in Hamar was built around 1200 A.D., but had its roof set on fire in 1567 and fell into disrepair until Norwegians began to excavate it in 1846. In 1998 a glass, climate-controlled structure was completed to protect the ruins from environmental damage. This is the only one of Norway's medieval cathedrals that has not yet been excavated.
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In volume 1 of Kristin Lavransdatter, Lavrans takes the 7-year-old Kristin to Hamar. She's sees this Cathedral being renovated and experiences stained glass for the first time:
"On the gray stone wall above her, Kristin saw strange, flickering specks of light, red as blood and yellow as ale, blue and brown and green. . . .Kristin saw a sight so glorious that it almost took her breath away.
"Directly opposite her, on the south wall of the nave, stood a picture that glowed as if it had been made from nothing but glitering gemstones. The multicolored specks of light on the wall came from rays emanating from the picture itself; she and the monk were standing in the midst of its radiance. . . .It was like standing at a great distance and looking into heaven."
Diane asked the guide at the entrace whether this was that Cathedral Kristin Lavransdatter had visited. "Yes," she answered, but then added, "You do realize Kirstin was a fictional character?"
"Yes," Diane said, "but aren't we all?"
How do we experience each other, except as a collection of stories, memories and relationships?
