Lillehammer

Coordinates: 61°7′N 10°28′E / 61.117°N 10.467°E / 61.117; 10.467
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Lillehammer Municipality
Lillehammer kommune
View of the town of Lillehammer
Innlandet within Norway
Innlandet within Norway
Lillehammer within Innlandet
Lillehammer within Innlandet
Coordinates: 61°7′N 10°28′E / 61.117°N 10.467°E / 61.117; 10.467
CountryNorway
CountyInnlandet
DistrictGudbrandsdal
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Administrative centreLillehammer
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Hans Olav Sundfør (H)
Area
 • Total477.95 km2 (184.54 sq mi)
 • Land450.72 km2 (174.02 sq mi)
 • Water27.23 km2 (10.51 sq mi)  5.7%
 • Rank#211 in Norway
Population
 (2023)
 • Total28,560
 • Rank#39 in Norway
 • Density63.4/km2 (164/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +6.4%
DemonymLillehamring[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formBokmål
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-3405[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

Lillehammer (Norwegian pronunciation: [lɪ̂lːəˌhɑmːˈər] ) is a municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. Some of the more notable villages in the municipality include Fåberg, Hunderfossen, Jørstadmoen, Vingnes, and Vingrom.

The 478-square-kilometre (185 sq mi) municipality is the 211th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Lillehammer is the 39th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 28,560. The municipality's population density is 63.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (164/sq mi) and its population has increased by 6.4% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

The town of Lillehammer is the largest urban centre in the municipality. It lies in the central part of the municipality and it is surrounded by more rural areas. The town centre is a late nineteenth-century concentration of wooden houses, which enjoys a picturesque location overlooking the northern part of lake Mjøsa and the river Lågen, surrounded by mountains. Lillehammer hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics and 2016 Winter Youth Olympics.[6]

General information[edit]

The municipality was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1906, a small adjacent area of the neighboring municipality of Fåberg (population: 140) was annexed by Lillehammer to make room for more expansion as the town grew. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the town of Lillehammer (population: 5,905) was merged with Fåberg Municipality (population: 13,381) to form a new, larger Lillehammer Municipality.[7]

Name[edit]

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Hamar farm (Old Norse: Hamarr) since the first Lillehammer Church was built there. The name is identical with the word hamarr which means "stone" or "rocky hill". To distinguish it from the nearby town of Hamar and Diocese of Hamar, it began to be called "little Hamar": Lilþlæ Hamar and Litlihamarr, and finally Lillehammer. It is also mentioned in the Old Norse sagas as Litlikaupangr ("Little Trading Place").[8][9]

Coat of arms[edit]

The coat of arms was granted on 4 April 1898. The arms have are divided with a diagonal line. The field (background) above the line has a tincture of blue. Below the line, the field has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The charge is a birkebeiner, carrying a spear and a shield, who is skiing down the mountainside under a blue sky. The design symbolizes the historical importance of when the Birkebeiners carried the future King Haakon from Lillehammer to Rena on skis. There is a mural crown above the escutcheon. The arms were designed by Andreas Bloch.[10][11]

Churches[edit]

Lillehammer Church

The Church of Norway has six parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Lillehammer. It is part of the Sør-Gudbrandsdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

Churches in Lillehammer
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Fåberg Fåberg Church Fåberg 1727
Lillehammer Lillehammer Church Lillehammer 1882
Nordre Ål Nordre Ål Church Lillehammer 1994
Nordseter Church Nordseter 1964
Saksumdal Saksumdal Church Lillehammer 1875
Søre Ål Søre Ål Church Lillehammer 1964
Vingrom Vingrom Church Vingrom 1908

History[edit]

The village of Lillehammer is located at the northern end of Norway's largest lake, Mjøsa. There have likely been settlements here since the Iron Age and the market here was mentioned in Håkon Håkonson's saga in 1390. It is also mentioned as a site for Thing assembly in 1390. Tradition states that it was here in Lillehammer where the birkebeiners Torstein Skjevla and Skjervald Skrukka joined up with the King's son (and future King), Haakon, in 1205 before they traveled to Østerdalen (an event which is commemorated in March every year to this day). Since medieval times, the Lillehammer Church has been located here.[12]

The village was granted market town rights on 7 August 1827. At that time, 50 people lived within the boundaries of the newly established town. This site was chosen because there were no other towns in all of Christians amt (county) and this site was located along the Gudbrandsdalslågen river and the whole Gudbrandsdal valley was a major transportation route from the capital to northern Norway. Within two years of the establishment of the town, the population had risen to 360 people. The merchant Ludvig Wiese has been counted as the founder of the town (a statue of him was erected in the town in connection with the town's 100th anniversary in 1927). The laying of the main railway line from the capital in Christiania to Eidsvoll was completed in 1852. This railway line was connected with steamships along the lake Mjøsa which travelled to Lillehammer and from there a newly laid road made connections further up into the Gudbrandsdalen valley. This transport system made the transit of timber and agricultural goods from all over the county to the capital possible, and it contributed to the growth of the town of Lillehammer.[12]

In 1973, Mossad killed a Moroccan waiter, having mistaken him for Palestinian terrorist Ali Hassan Salameh, which became known as the Lillehammer affair.

Lillehammer is known as a typical venue for winter sporting events; it was host city of the 1994 Winter Olympics, and the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics, and was part of a joint bid with applicant host city Oslo to host events part of the 2022 Winter Olympics until Oslo withdrew its bid on 1 October 2014.

Lillehammer is home to the largest literature festival in the Nordic countries and, in 2017, was designated as a UNESCO City of Literature.

Education[edit]

A number of schools are located in Lillehammer, including the Hammartun Primary and Lower Secondary School, Søre Ål Primary School and Kringsjå Primary and Lower Secondary School. Lillehammer Upper Secondary School consists of two branches, North and South, both situated near the city center. The private high school Norwegian College of Elite Sports, NTG, also has a branch in Lillehammer. The Lillehammer campus of Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences is situated just north of the town itself.

Lillehammer is also the home of the Nansen Academy - the Norwegian Humanistic Academy. The Nansen Academy is an educational institution for adult students with varied political, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The Academy was founded on the core principles of humanism and aims at strengthening the knowledge of these principles.

The 14th World Scout Jamboree was held from 29 July to 7 August 1975 and was hosted by Norway at Lillehammer.

Government[edit]

Lillehammer Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[13] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Vestre Innlandet District Court and the Eidsivating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council[edit]

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Lillehammer is made up of 39 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Lillehammer kommunestyre 2023–2027 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Industry and Business Party (Industri‑ og Næringspartiet) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 2
  Red Party (Rødt) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:39
Lillehammer kommunestyre 2019–2023 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Party (Rødt) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 2015–2019 [16][17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 22
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 2011–2015 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Red Party (Rødt) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 2007–2011 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Lillehammer town and local list (Lillehammer by- og bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 2003–2007 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 18
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1999–2003 [17][19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 17
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1995–1999 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 22
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:47
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1991–1995 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 22
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1987–1991 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 26
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1983–1987 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 27
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 14
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1979–1983 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 24
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 15
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1975–1979 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 27
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1971–1975 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 27
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Socialist common list (Venstresosialistiske felleslister)5
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1967–1971 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 29
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer kommunestyre 1963–1967 [28]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 30
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:55
Lillehammer bystyre 1959–1963 [29]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 20
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 12
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:37
Lillehammer bystyre 1955–1959 [30]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:37
Lillehammer bystyre 1951–1955 [31]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 17
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1947–1951 [32]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 17
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 3
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1945–1947 [33]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 4
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1937–1940* [34]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 13
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 7
Total number of members:36
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.
Lillehammer bystyre 1934–1937 [35]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 16
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 5
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1931–1934 [36]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 18
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1928–1931 [37]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 4
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 14
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1925–1928 [38]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Social Democratic Labour Party
(Socialdemokratiske Arbeiderparti)
3
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 19
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1922–1925 [39]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Social Democratic Labour Party
(Socialdemokratiske Arbeiderparti)
2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 19
Total number of members:36
Lillehammer bystyre 1919–1922 [40]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Joint list of the Liberal Party and Temperance Party
(Venstre og avholdspartiet)
2
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 14
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:28

Mayors[edit]

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Lillehammer:[41]

  • 1838–1843: Ludvig Wiese
  • 1844–1844: Børre Henrik Børresen
  • 1845–1845: Knut Torkilsen
  • 1846–1846: Christen Andersen
  • 1847–1847: Knut Torkilsen
  • 1848–1848: Christian Plathe
  • 1849–1849: Wilhelm Lorange
  • 1850–1851: Hans Jensen Selmer
  • 1852–1852: Wilhelm Lorange
  • 1853–1853: Ulrik Frederik Lange
  • 1854–1854: Wilhelm Lorange
  • 1855–1855: Ulrik Frederik Lange
  • 1856–1856: Karl Nilsen
  • 1857–1857: Jakob Løkke
  • 1858–1858: Karl Nilsen
  • 1859–1859: Jakob Løkke
  • 1860–1860: Wilhelm Lorange
  • 1861–1863: Ulrik Frederik Lange
  • 1864–1867: Karl Nilsen
  • 1868–1868: Jess Severin Horster
  • 1869–1871: Nikolai Gunnerius Bøhmer
  • 1872–1872: Thorstein Lunde
  • 1873–1873: Nikolai Gunnerius Bøhmer
  • 1874–1876: O.J. Grundtvig
  • 1877–1878: Karl Nilsen
  • 1879–1880: Thorstein Lunde
  • 1881–1889: Nikolai Gunnerius Bøhmer
  • 1890–1892: Thorstein Lunde
  • 1893–1895: Ingvald Schey
  • 1896–1897: Axel Thallaug
  • 1898–1899: E. Olsen-Berg
  • 1900–1901: Simen Fougner
  • 1902–1902: E. Olsen-Berg
  • 1903–1904: Axel Thallaug
  • 1905–1907: Ingvald Schey
  • 1908–1908: Eiliv Fougner
  • 1909–1910: O.A. Larsen
  • 1911–1912: Simen Fougner
  • 1913–1913: H. Lødrup
  • 1914–1916: Simen Fougner
  • 1917–1917: Olaf Formoe
  • 1918–1918: Thomas Tallaksen
  • 1919–1919: Arne Jensen
  • 1920–1922: Axel Thallaug (H)
  • 1923–1928: Johan Alfred Svendsen
  • 1929–1931: Eilif Moe (H)
  • 1932–1932: Arne Jensen (H)
  • 1938–1940: Olaf Sanne (H)
  • 1940–1940: Margit Haslund (H)
  • 1941–1941: Peer Widding
  • 1943–1943: Johannes Gadens
  • 1945–1945: Olaf Sanne (H)
  • 1946–1954: Einar Hansen (Ap)
  • 1954–1959: Anton Andreassen (Ap)
  • 1960–1963: Erling Juell Aune (Ap)
  • 1964–1975: Magne Henriksen (Ap)
  • 1976–1981: Knut Korsæth (Ap)
  • 1982–1987: Arild Bakken (Ap)
  • 1987–1999: Audun Tron (Ap)
  • 1999–2011: Synnøve Brenden Klemetrud (Ap)
  • 2011–2019: Espen Johnsen (Ap)
  • 2019–2023: Ingunn Trosholmen (Ap)
  • 2023-present: Hans Olav Sundfør (H)[42]

Geography[edit]

Lillehammer is situated in the lower part of the Gudbrandsdal valley, at the northern end of lake Mjøsa. It is located to the south of Øyer Municipality, to the southeast of Gausdal Municipality, northeast of Nordre Land Municipality, to the north of Gjøvik Municipality, and to the southeast of Ringsaker Municipality. The mountain Nevelfjell lies in the northeast part of the municipality.

Lillehammer is situated in an inland valley with reliable snow cover in winter
Lillehammer is situated in an inland valley with reliable snow cover in winter

Climate[edit]

Lillehammer has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) and used to have a subarctic climate (Köppen: Dfc), with the Scandinavian mountain chain to the west and north limiting oceanic influences. The record high of 34 °C (93 °F) was recorded in June 1970. The record low of −31 °C (−24 °F) was recorded in December 1978 and January 1979, and the same low was recorded in January 1987. There has been no overnight air frost in the month of August since 1978 with the record low for that month being −0.6 °C (30.9 °F). The coldest recorded temperature after 2000 is −26.2 °C (−15.2 °F) in January 2010. The average date for the last overnight freeze (low below 0 °C (32.0 °F)) in spring is May 10[43] and average date for first freeze in autumn is September 30 (1981-2010 average)[44] giving an average frost-free season of 142 days. The current weather station Lillehammer-Sætherengen became operational in 1982; extremes are also from two earlier weather stations in Lillehammer.

Climate data for Lillehammer 1991-2020 (240 m; extremes 1957 - 2018)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.4
(50.7)
12.5
(54.5)
16.0
(60.8)
23.4
(74.1)
28.5
(83.3)
34.0
(93.2)
32.4
(90.3)
33.0
(91.4)
26.4
(79.5)
19.5
(67.1)
16.2
(61.2)
11.3
(52.3)
34.0
(93.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1)
−1.8
(28.8)
3.7
(38.7)
9.4
(48.9)
15.4
(59.7)
19.3
(66.7)
21.7
(71.1)
19.9
(67.8)
14.9
(58.8)
7.2
(45.0)
1.2
(34.2)
−2.8
(27.0)
8.7
(47.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.1
(21.0)
−5.4
(22.3)
−1.2
(29.8)
4
(39)
9.4
(48.9)
13.7
(56.7)
16.1
(61.0)
14.5
(58.1)
10.1
(50.2)
4.1
(39.4)
−1.2
(29.8)
−5.5
(22.1)
4.4
(39.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.4
(16.9)
−8.1
(17.4)
−4.6
(23.7)
0
(32)
4.5
(40.1)
8.8
(47.8)
11.4
(52.5)
10.1
(50.2)
6.4
(43.5)
1.4
(34.5)
−3.0
(26.6)
−7.6
(18.3)
0.9
(33.6)
Record low °C (°F) −31.0
(−23.8)
−29.5
(−21.1)
−24.1
(−11.4)
−14.0
(6.8)
−5.4
(22.3)
−2.2
(28.0)
0.5
(32.9)
−0.6
(30.9)
−5.8
(21.6)
−14.5
(5.9)
−22.5
(−8.5)
−31.0
(−23.8)
−31.0
(−23.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 52
(2.0)
35
(1.4)
35
(1.4)
35
(1.4)
64
(2.5)
70
(2.8)
80
(3.1)
96
(3.8)
65
(2.6)
69
(2.7)
69
(2.7)
47
(1.9)
717
(28.3)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 28 68 126 168 212 242 237 195 136 83 44 18 1,557
Source 1: [45]
Source 2: [46]

Populated places[edit]

Lillehammer Municipality is subdivided into the following populated places (i.e.: neighborhoods, quarters, villages, localities, settlements, communities, hamlets, etc.):

Economy[edit]

The basis for the economy of the municipality is its position as the northernmost point of the lake Mjøsa and as the gateway for the Gudbrandsdal region, through which the historical highway from Oslo to Trondheim passes. The Mesna river has provided the basis for several small industries through the years, but Lillehammer is now all but industry-less. –

Media[edit]

Transport[edit]

One of the major Norwegian rail lines, the Dovre Line, runs from Hamar to the north through Lillehammer on its way up the Gudbrandsdal valley, to terminate in the city of Trondheim. The European route E6 highway also passes through Lillehammer.

Attractions[edit]

Storgata shopping area

In addition to the Olympic site, Lillehammer offers a number of other tourist attractions:

Sport[edit]

Olympic ski jump

Sports clubs[edit]

Notable people[edit]

Sigrid Undset, 1928

Arts[edit]

  • Kalle Løchen (1865–1893), a Norwegian painter and actor
  • Sigrid Undset (1882–1949), a novelist, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928; lived at her home "Bjerkebæk" in Lillehammer from 1919 to 1940 and again after WWII.[47]
  • Odd Grythe (1918–1995), a Norwegian radio and TV personality
  • Kjell Lund (1927–2013), a Norwegian architect, songwriter and singer
  • Sveinung Hovensjø (born 1950), a Norwegian jazz musician, plays bass and guitar
  • Kristin Sevaldsen (born 1966), a jazz musician (saxophone), composer, and music producer
  • Atle Antonsen (born 1969), a Norwegian comic and actor, was born in Lillehammer [48][49]
  • Ingrid Olava (born 1981), a Norwegian singer and musician, born and grew up in Lillehammer

Public service[edit]

Anne Stine Moe Ingstad, 1963

Sport[edit]

Robert Johansson, 2019

In popular culture[edit]

Twin towns – sister cities[edit]

Lillehammer has sister city agreements with the following places:[50]

Friendly cities[edit]

Lillehammer has also friendly relations with:[50]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2022). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2022). "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ "Lillehammer awarded 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games". 7 December 2011.
  7. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1900). Norske gaardnavne: Kristians amt (in Norwegian) (4 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 219.
  9. ^ "Lillehammers historie" (in Norwegian). Lillehammer kommune. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  10. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Kommunevåpen Lillehammer" (in Norwegian). National Archives of Norway. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  12. ^ a b Herberg, Kari B. "Lillehammers historie". Lillehammer kommune (in Norwegian). Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  13. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Innlandet". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Innlandet". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Oppland". Valgdirektoratet.
  17. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Oppland". Valgdirektoratet.
  19. ^ Kommunestyrevalget 1999 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. ^ Kommunestyrevalget 1995 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. ^ Kommunestyrevalget 1991 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. ^ Kommunestyrevalget 1987 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  23. ^ Kommunestyrevalget 1983 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  24. ^ Kommunestyrevalget 1979 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  25. ^ Kommunevalgene 1975 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. ISBN 8253705646.
  26. ^ Kommunevalgene 1972 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Vol. I. Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. ISBN 8253701144.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  31. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  32. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  33. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  34. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  35. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1934" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1935.
  36. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1931" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1932.
  37. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1928" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1929.
  38. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1925" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1926.
  39. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1922" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1923.
  40. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1919" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1920.
  41. ^ "Fortegnelse over ordførere i Lillhammer 1838–1927". Lillehammer 1827-1927 (in Norwegian). Lillehammer, Norge: D. Stribolts trykkeri. 1927. p. 139.
  42. ^ Morset, Kjersti (19 October 2023). "Hans Olav Sundfør ny ordfører" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Siste frostnatt om våren". NRK. 4 May 2012.
  44. ^ Husebø, Trond-Ole (25 September 2013). "Første frostnatt". NRK.
  45. ^ "yr.no statistics (mean, precipitation)". Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  46. ^ "Meteo climat stats (avg high and low)". Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  47. ^ "The Family". Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  48. ^ "Filmweb - Filmopplevelsen starter på Filmweb!". Filmweb.no.
  49. ^ IMDb retrieved 15 February 2021
  50. ^ a b "Vennskapsbyer". lillehammer.kommune.no (in Norwegian). Lillehammer Kommune. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  51. ^ "Tarptautinis bendradarbiavimas". radviliskis.lt (in Lithuanian). Radviliškio rajono savivaldybė. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

External links[edit]