Hol
Encyclopedia
Hol is a municipality
in Buskerud
county
, Norway
.
in 1877 to become a separate municipality. In 1937 a part of neighboring Uvdal
with 220 inhabitants was moved to Hol municipality. The area of Dagali
was transferred from Uvdal to Hol in 1944. In 1962 Uvdal was reunited with Nore to form the new municipality of Nore og Uvdal
.
) is named after the old Hol farm (Old Norse
: Hóll), since the first church was built here. The name is identical with the word hóll, which means "round (and isolated) hill".
, to the north and east by Ål
, to the south by Nore og Uvdal
, and to the west by Eidfjord
, Ulvik
and Aurland
. Hol is a mountainous area, where over 90% of the area is at an altitude exceeding 900 meters above sea level. The Hallingskarvet
mountain range is the highest point in the municipality, at 1933 meters above sea level. The Usta or Usteåne River flows northeast from Lake Ustevatn
traveling down the Ustedalen valley. The Hallingdalselva
River is formed by the confluence of the Usta River and the Holselva River from Lake Strandavatnet
.
of Hol is from modern times; the arms were granted on 5 July 1991. They show three silver anvil
s on a blue background and were designed by Trond Andersson. The three anvils are stacked one above the other, with the top one being largest and the bottom one smallest. The anvil was chosen to symbolize the former smithies
in the municipality, which were famous for the production of axe
s, blade
s, and knives
. Iron
mining
was already practiced in the area in the Viking Age
.
)
with covered side porches (svalganger). The church has been expanded several times, in the 16th century, in 1697 and in 1798-99. It was rebuilt in 1888 and 1938. It is believed that the floor of the church was made using columns from the old stave church. The pulpit and baptismal font are from the Renaissance period (1697) and the altarpiece from 1703. The pulpit is placed above the altar.
with Hol: - Halinga Parish
, Pärnu County
, Estonia
- Mäntyharju
, Itä-Suomi
, Finland
- Säffle
, Värmland County
, Sweden
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
in Buskerud
Buskerud
is a county in Norway, bordering Akershus, Oslo, Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, Hordaland, Telemark, and Vestfold. The county administration is located in Drammen.-Geography:...
county
Counties of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties . The counties form the primary first-level subdivisions of Norway and are further divided into 430 municipalities...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
Administrative history
The area of Hol was separated from the municipality of ÅlÅl
Ål is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hallingdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Ål....
in 1877 to become a separate municipality. In 1937 a part of neighboring Uvdal
Uvdal
Uvdal is a village and former municipality in Buskerud county, Norway.The municipality was created by a split from Nore on 1 January 1901. The new municipality, which was called Opdal at the time, had a population of 1,429. The name was changed to Uvdal on 22 January 1932 by royal resolution...
with 220 inhabitants was moved to Hol municipality. The area of Dagali
Dagali
Dagali is a village in Hol municipality, Norway. Dagali also has an airport, Geilo Airport, that is no longer in use and currently used by Dagali Opplevelser. The river Numedalslågen runs though the village.-External links:*...
was transferred from Uvdal to Hol in 1944. In 1962 Uvdal was reunited with Nore to form the new municipality of Nore og Uvdal
Nore og Uvdal
Nore og Uvdal is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rødberg....
.
Name
The municipality (originally the parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
) is named after the old Hol farm (Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
: Hóll), since the first church was built here. The name is identical with the word hóll, which means "round (and isolated) hill".
Geography
Hol is bordered to the north by LærdalLærdal
Lærdal is a municipality in the southwestern part of Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Sogn. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Lærdalsøyri...
, to the north and east by Ål
Ål
Ål is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hallingdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Ål....
, to the south by Nore og Uvdal
Nore og Uvdal
Nore og Uvdal is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rødberg....
, and to the west by Eidfjord
Eidfjord
Eidfjord is a municipality in the county of Hordaland, Norway. Eidfjord was separated from Ulvik May 1, 1891....
, Ulvik
Ulvik
Ulvik is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. The municipality stretches from the Hardangerfjord to 1,800 metres above sea level, and borders the municipalities of Granvin, Eidfjord, Ullensvang, Voss, Aurland, and Hol. It takes around two hours to drive from Bergen to Ulvik. The nearest...
and Aurland
Aurland
Aurland is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The administrative center is the village of Aurlandsvangen. Other villages include Bakka, Flåm, Undredal, and Gudvangen....
. Hol is a mountainous area, where over 90% of the area is at an altitude exceeding 900 meters above sea level. The Hallingskarvet
Hallingskarvet
Hallingskarvet is a mountain range in southern Norway stretching from Geilo to Finse. The highest point is Folarskardnuten , the highest point in Buskerud.In the north there is a large dammed lake called Strandavatnet...
mountain range is the highest point in the municipality, at 1933 meters above sea level. The Usta or Usteåne River flows northeast from Lake Ustevatn
Ustevatn
Ustevatn is a lake in the municipality of Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
traveling down the Ustedalen valley. The Hallingdalselva
Hallingdalselva
Hallingdalselva is a river which flows through the valley and traditional district of Hallingdal in Buskerud County, Norway....
River is formed by the confluence of the Usta River and the Holselva River from Lake Strandavatnet
Strandavatnet
Strandavatnet is a lake in Hol municipality, Buskerud county, Norway. The lake covers an area of , and lies above sea level.'The lake is a reservoir for the Rud hydroelectric powerstation in Hovet. In 1952/1953 a dam was constructed which lifted the lake level 28 meters, thus the lake varies...
.
Lakes
- UstevatnUstevatnUstevatn is a lake in the municipality of Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
- in the municipality of Hol - NygardsvatnetNygardsvatnetNygardsvatnet is a lake in the municipality of Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
- in the municipality of Hol - StrandavatnetStrandavatnetStrandavatnet is a lake in Hol municipality, Buskerud county, Norway. The lake covers an area of , and lies above sea level.'The lake is a reservoir for the Rud hydroelectric powerstation in Hovet. In 1952/1953 a dam was constructed which lifted the lake level 28 meters, thus the lake varies...
- in the municipality of Hol - ØrterenØrterenØrteren is a lake in the municipality of Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
- in the municipality of Hol - NyhellervatnetNyhellervatnetNyhellervatnet is a lake on the border of the municipalities of Hol and Aurland , Norway. The lake sits at an elevation of above sea level. The lake is located about southeast of Aurlandsvangen, at the end of the valley Aurlandsdalen...
- on the border between Hol and AurlandAurlandAurland is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The administrative center is the village of Aurlandsvangen. Other villages include Bakka, Flåm, Undredal, and Gudvangen....
, Sogn og FjordaneSogn og Fjordaneis a county in Norway, bordering Møre og Romsdal, Oppland, Buskerud, and Hordaland. The county administration is in the town of Hermansverk in Leikanger municipality while the largest town is Førde....
county - PålsbufjordenPålsbufjordenPålsbufjorden is a lake in the municipalities of Hol and Nore og Uvdal, both in Buskerud County, Norway. The water table lies 749 meters above sea level. The area of the lake is 19.55 km²....
- in the municipalities of Hol and Nore og Uvdal - Øvre HeinØvre HeinØvre Hein is a lake in the municipalities of Nore og Uvdal and Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
- in the municipalities of Hol and Nore og Uvdal - DjupsvatnetDjupsvatnetDjupsvatnet is a lake in the municipalities of Ål and Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
- in the municipalities of Hol and Ål - FlakavatnetFlakavatnetFlakavatnet is a lake in the municipalities of Ulvik in Hordaland county and Hol in Buskerud county, Norway....
- in the municipalities of Hol and Ulvik, HordalandHordalandis a county in Norway, bordering Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Telemark and Rogaland. Hordaland is the third largest county after Akershus and Oslo by population. The county administration is located in Bergen...
county
Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of Hol is from modern times; the arms were granted on 5 July 1991. They show three silver anvil
Anvil
An anvil is a basic tool, a block with a hard surface on which another object is struck. The inertia of the anvil allows the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece. In most cases the anvil is used as a forging tool...
s on a blue background and were designed by Trond Andersson. The three anvils are stacked one above the other, with the top one being largest and the bottom one smallest. The anvil was chosen to symbolize the former smithies
Forge
A forge is a hearth used for forging. The term "forge" can also refer to the workplace of a smith or a blacksmith, although the term smithy is then more commonly used.The basic smithy contains a forge, also known as a hearth, for heating metals...
in the municipality, which were famous for the production of axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
s, blade
Blade
A blade is that portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with a cutting edge and/or a pointed tip that is designed to cut and/or puncture, stab, slash, chop, slice, thrust, or scrape animate or inanimate surfaces or materials...
s, and knives
Knife
A knife is a cutting tool with an exposed cutting edge or blade, hand-held or otherwise, with or without a handle. Knives were used at least two-and-a-half million years ago, as evidenced by the Oldowan tools...
. Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
was already practiced in the area in the Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
.
Gallery
(See also coat-of-arms of TrøgstadTrøgstad
Trøgstad is a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Skjønhaug. The municipality is divided into the parishes of Trøgstad and Båstad...
)
Hol Old Church
Hol Old Church (Hol gamle kirke) is presumed to date from the 13th century, but the exact dating is unknown. The church is the oldest parish in Hol and is first mentioned in a letter from 1328 as a small stave churchStave church
A stave church is a medieval wooden church with a post and beam construction related to timber framing. The wall frames are filled with vertical planks. The load-bearing posts have lent their name to the building technique...
with covered side porches (svalganger). The church has been expanded several times, in the 16th century, in 1697 and in 1798-99. It was rebuilt in 1888 and 1938. It is believed that the floor of the church was made using columns from the old stave church. The pulpit and baptismal font are from the Renaissance period (1697) and the altarpiece from 1703. The pulpit is placed above the altar.
Notable residents
- Ådne SøndrålÅdne SøndrålÅdne Søndrål is a former Norwegian speed skater.Søndrål, representing Hol IL, was one of the best 1500 m skaters through most of the 1990s. He placed 2nd in the 1992 Winter Olympics and 4th in the 1994 Olympics. He finally won Olympic gold when he won 1500 m in the 1998 Winter Olympics...
, former speed skater and Olympic champion - Håvard BøkkoHåvard BøkkoHåvard Bøkko is a Norwegian speedskater, widely considered to be one of the most promising talents for many years, with junior results similar to those of Sven Kramer, Gianni Romme and Eric Heiden. He is the older brother of Hege Bøkko.-Speed skating career:In 2006, Bøkko was the Junior World...
, speed skater - Christoffer Fagerli RukkeChristoffer Fagerli RukkeChristoffer Fagerli Rukke is a Norwegian speed-skater who competes for the club Hol IL. He represents Norway at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.-References:...
, speed skater - Hege BøkkoHege BøkkoHege Bøkko is a Norwegian long-track speedskater, and the younger sister of Håvard Bøkko.-Personal life:Hege was born in Hønefoss in Buskerud county, Norway in 1991, but she has been living in Hovet, Buskerud her whole life...
, speed skater - Martin HoleMartin HoleMartin Hole is a Norwegian cross-country skier. He was born in Geilo, and represented the club Geilo IL. He competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.He also won two Norwegian championships; 15km in 1985 and 30km in 1986....
, former cross country runner - Knut BryKnut BryKnut Bry is a Norwegian photographer.Bry has no formal education as a photographer and chose his profession in 1975, 29 years old. He has won a number of photographic awards, among them Photographer of the Year in the United States in 1986 and in Norway in 1989...
, photographer - Roger Kleivdal, snowboarder
- Joachim HavikhagenJoachim HavikhagenJoachim Havikhagen is a Norwegian Snowboarder who competes for Geilo IL. He represented Norway at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.-References:...
, snowboarder - Terje IsungsetTerje IsungsetTerje Isungset is a Norwegian musician and composer. From his background in jazz and Scandinavian music, he has designed musical instruments from non-traditional materials including ice.-Discography:*"Reise"...
, musician
Attractions
- Hallingskarvet National ParkHallingskarvet National ParkHallingskarvet National Park is a national park in the Norwegian municipalities of Hol , Ulvik and Aurland , established by the government on 22 December 2006...
- national park in the municipalities of Hol (Buskerud), Ulvik (Hordaland) and Aurland (Sogn og Fjordane) - Hol BygdemuseumHol BygdemuseumHol Bygdamuseum is a small museum by Hagafoss in Hol municipality in Norway.The museum is a subsidiary of Hallingdal Museum.-External links:* , — in Norwegian* , — in Norwegian...
- located along the road from ÅlÅlÅl is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hallingdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Ål....
to GeiloGeilois a centre in the municipality of Hol in Norway, in the valley of Hallingdal, with around 2300 inhabitants.Geilo is primarily a ski resort town, but also offers summer activities. Geilo is in a valley with mountain ranges on each side. The center of the town lies at 800 meters above sea level, and...
in the small village of HagafossHagafossHagafoss is a village in Hol municipality, Norway. It is located in upper Hallingdal where the road branches off towards Aurland along Riksvei 50.Its main tourist attraction is Hol Bygdemuseum....
. The museum is built as an old farm (holingsgard) with buildings of the local type. There are a total of 17 buildings, of which two, Nestegardsstugu and Raunsgardsstugu, have decorative wall paintings on the walls. - Dagali MuseumDagali MuseumDagali Museum is a small local museum in Dagali, within the Hol municipality, Norway. The museum is a subsidiary of the Hallingdal Museum.Gunnar Steensen initiated the collection of historic buildings now comprising the Dagali Museum before 1900. In 1947, he bequeathed to the village of Dagali,...
- museum with 10 buildings located in the middle of DagaliDagaliDagali is a village in Hol municipality, Norway. Dagali also has an airport, Geilo Airport, that is no longer in use and currently used by Dagali Opplevelser. The river Numedalslågen runs though the village.-External links:*...
, on the edge of HardangerviddaHardangerviddaThe Hardangervidda is a mountain plateau in the Hardanger region of western Norway. It is the largest such plateau in Europe, with a cold year-round alpine climate and is the site of one of Norway's largest glaciers. Much of the plateau is protected as part of Hardangervidda National Park; it is a...
. Buildings came from Dagali, Skurdalen, Tunhovd, and UvdalUvdalUvdal is a village and former municipality in Buskerud county, Norway.The municipality was created by a split from Nore on 1 January 1901. The new municipality, which was called Opdal at the time, had a population of 1,429. The name was changed to Uvdal on 22 January 1932 by royal resolution...
; the oldest dates to the 18th century. - Dagali Skisenter - alpine resortSki resortA ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
in Dagali, also offering sled-racing, with one of Norway's longest sled-racing hills. - Dr Holms HotelDr Holms HotelDr Holms Hotel is a resort hotel in the Norwegian ski resort town of Geilo. It was opened in 1909 by Dr. J.C. Holms, a specialist in respiratory diseases, who established the resort along with Ole Schroder II so that his patients could breathe fresh mountain air...
- resort hotel in the ski resort town of Geilo
Sister cities
The following cities are twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with Hol: - Halinga Parish
Halinga Parish
Halinga is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Borough:Pärnu-JaagupiVillages:Aasa, Altküla, Anelema, Arase, Eametsa, Eense, Eerma, Enge, Ertsma, Halinga, Helenurme, Kablima, Kaelase, Kangru, Kodesmaa, Kuninga, Langerma, Lehtmetsa, Lehu, Libatse,...
, Pärnu County
Pärnu County
Pärnu County , or Pärnumaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in south-western part of the country, on the coast of Gulf of Riga, and borders Lääne and Rapla counties to the north, Järva and Viljandi counties to the east, and Latvia to the south...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
- Mäntyharju
Mäntyharju
Mäntyharju is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The coastline is almost...
, Itä-Suomi
Eastern Finland
Eastern Finland was a province of Finland from 1997 to 2010. It bordered the provinces of Oulu, Western Finland and Southern Finland. It also bordered Russia.- History :...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
- Säffle
Säffle
Säffle is a locality and the seat of Säffle Municipality, Värmland County, Sweden with 9,156 inhabitants in 2005.Säffle is known for being the last place in Sweden formally getting the title of a City in 1951. This status was abolished in 1971...
, Värmland County
Värmland County
Värmland County is a county or län in west central Sweden. It borders the Swedish counties of Dalarna, Örebro and Västra Götaland, as well as the Norwegian counties of Østfold, Akershus and Hedmark to the west.- Province :...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
External links
- Municipal fact sheet from Statistics NorwayStatistics NorwayStatistics Norway is the Norwegian statistics bureau. It was established in 1876.Relying on a staff of about 1,000, Statistics Norway publish about 1,000 new statistical releases every year on its web site. All releases are published both in Norwegian and English...
- Dagali Opplevelser - offering a great deal of activities in and around Dagali
- Dagali Skisenter - The alpine resort in Dagali
- Map hiking and DNT cabins