Lush Green Roofs Help Invoke the Spirit of Norway at Epcot

I've had a love affair with World Showcase since Epcot's early days. As a teenager I was in awe of the imagineers work on each pavilion and how they managed to condense down the culture and vitality of an entire country into each beautiful stop. For a very long time now one of my most beloved Epcot details has been a roof in Epcot's Norway Pavilion. Yes, you read that right, a roof.


Traditional Sod Roofs Provided Stability and Insulation


Tucked in between the Stave Church and the Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe is a small covered seating area. Guests bustle through the tables coming and going as they nosh on school bread and lefse. It's a fantastic spot to relax or take shelter from the sun or a mid-afternoon rain shower. But next time you're there make sure you take a look at the beautiful and unique turf roof.

Turf roofs, made from birch bark and covered in sod, have been a tradition in Norway since before recorded history. They were extremely common in the Viking and Middle Ages when the majority of most structures had sod roofs, and they continued to be common in rural areas well into the 18th century. Not merely an attractive detail (the one in Epcot is always green and frequently sporting delicate flowers) turf roofs offered Scandinavian homes several advantages such as providing stabilization, insulation, and durability.

What are some of your quirky Epcot favorites? Is there something unusual that sparks your imagination? Leave a comment below and let me know!