Vang
Encyclopedia
Vang is a municipality
in Oppland
county
, Norway
. It is part of the traditional region
of Valdres
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of "Vang i Valdres". The municipality of Vang was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt
).
) is named after the old Vang farm (Old Norse
: Vangr), since the first church was built here. The name is identical with the word vangr which means "field
" or "meadow
".
was granted in 1987. It was originally the seal of a medieval
nobleman from the district, Sigvat of Leirhol.
Vang, like the rest of Valdres, was originally populated by migrants from Vestlandet. In 1153, recognizing this, Cardinal Breakspear
included these valleys in the diocese of Stavanger
.
The ancient church of Vang was the site of a legal court (thing
) held by King Haakon VI
in 1368. Here, he settled a boundary dispute. The boundary stone which resulted stands to this day.
High up the slopes of Filefjell
is the site of Nystua, where travellers found refuge as they passed across the divide into Vestlandet. On the other side of the pass, Maristua was erected at the direction of Queen Margaret
circa 1390. Although Nystua is first mentioned in 1627, it is undoubtedly older. These refuges were maintained by the state until 1830.
Smeddalen (Smith's Valley) immediately to the west of Nystua, was for centuries the site of the church of St. Thomas på Filefjell
. The earliest reference to it is in 1615, but it was apparently a stave church, so would have been much older. According to F.N. Stagg “It was reconditioned (c. 1615)… the priest at Vang preached there once a year–on July 2nd… many sought cures for their ailments in the miraculous powers possessed by splinters from its timbers…” A market
grew up near the church as a result of the July 2nd service. “Horses were traded, races run, heavy drinking indulged in and many a fight ensued.” Markets continued to be held near the church until the 19th century, but as a result of fighting and general unrest in connection with the market days the church was torn down in 1808. A new church was built on the site in 1971.
and Vågå
, to the east by Øystre Slidre
, to the southeast by Vestre Slidre
, to the south by Hemsedal
(in Buskerud
county), and to the west by Lærdal
and Årdal
(in Sogn og Fjordane
county).
Vang is part of the Valdres
region in central, southern Norway. This region is situated between Gudbrandsdal
and Hallingdal
.
Vang municipality is 56 kilometres (34.8 mi) on a north-south axis and 47.3 kilometres (29.4 mi) on an east-west axis. The highest point is Kalvehøgdi with a height of 2208 metres (7,244.1 ft) above sea-level.
Three quarters of the region is above 900 metres (2,952.8 ft). Five percent of the area is covered by water, including Lakes Fleinsendin
, Slettningen
and Vangsmjøsa. The lowest point is 363 metres (1,190.9 ft) above sea level.
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
in Oppland
Oppland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Akershus, Oslo and Hedmark. The county administration is in Lillehammer. Oppland is, together with Hedmark, one of the only two landlocked counties of Norway....
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...
. It is part of the traditional region
Districts of Norway
The country Norway is historically divided into a number of districts. Many districts have deep historical roots, and only partially coincide with today's administrative units of counties and municipalities. The districts are defined by geographical features, often valleys, mountain ranges, fjords,...
of Valdres
Valdres
Valdres is a traditional district in central, southern Norway, situated between Gudbrandsdal and Hallingdal.Administratively, Valdres belongs to Oppland. It consists of the municipalities Nord-Aurdal, Sør-Aurdal, Øystre Slidre, Vestre Slidre, Vang and Etnedal. The main town in the region is...
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of "Vang i Valdres". The municipality of Vang was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt
Formannskapsdistrikt
Formannskapsdistrikt was the name for a Norwegian local self-government districts put into force in 1838. This system of municipality was created in a bill approved by the Storting and signed into law by King Carl Johan on 14 January 1837...
).
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 Vang 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....
: Vangr), since the first church was built here. The name is identical with the word vangr which means "field
Field (agriculture)
In agriculture, the word field refers generally to an area of land enclosed or otherwise and used for agricultural purposes such as:* Cultivating crops* Usage as a paddock or, generally, an enclosure of livestock...
" or "meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
".
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...
was granted in 1987. It was originally the seal of a medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
nobleman from the district, Sigvat of Leirhol.
History
Pope Adrian IV
Pope Adrian IV , born Nicholas Breakspear or Breakspeare, was Pope from 1154 to 1159.Adrian IV is the only Englishman who has occupied the papal chair...
included these valleys in the diocese of Stavanger
Ancient Diocese of Stavanger
The former Catholic Diocese of Stavanger, in Norway, included the counties of Rogaland, Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder - together with the regions of Valdres and Hallingdal...
.
The ancient church of Vang was the site of a legal court (thing
Thing (assembly)
A thing was the governing assembly in Germanic and introduced into some Celtic societies, made up of the free people of the community and presided by lawspeakers, meeting in a place called a thingstead...
) held by King Haakon VI
Haakon VI of Norway
Haakon VI of Norway was King of Norway from 1343 until his death and King of Sweden from 1362 until 1364, when he was deposed by Albert of Mecklenburg in Sweden.-Background:...
in 1368. Here, he settled a boundary dispute. The boundary stone which resulted stands to this day.
High up the slopes of Filefjell
Filefjell
Filefjell is a mountainous area between Lærdal and Valdres in Norway.It is the historical, as well as modern, main route, linking West Norway and Østlandet.-Etymology:...
is the site of Nystua, where travellers found refuge as they passed across the divide into Vestlandet. On the other side of the pass, Maristua was erected at the direction of Queen Margaret
Margaret I of Denmark
Margaret I was Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and founder of the Kalmar Union, which united the Scandinavian countries for over a century. Although she acted as queen regnant, the laws of contemporary Danish succession denied her formal queenship. Her title in Denmark was derived from her...
circa 1390. Although Nystua is first mentioned in 1627, it is undoubtedly older. These refuges were maintained by the state until 1830.
Smeddalen (Smith's Valley) immediately to the west of Nystua, was for centuries the site of the church of St. Thomas på Filefjell
St. Thomas Church, Filefjell
St. Thomas Church, Filefjell is the previous site of a medieval stave church in Filefjell, Norway. Little is known of its pre-Reformation use. It was, however, rebuilt in the early 17th century, and services were again held. Gradually, the church gained a reputation for having healing powers and...
. The earliest reference to it is in 1615, but it was apparently a stave church, so would have been much older. According to F.N. Stagg “It was reconditioned (c. 1615)… the priest at Vang preached there once a year–on July 2nd… many sought cures for their ailments in the miraculous powers possessed by splinters from its timbers…” A market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
grew up near the church as a result of the July 2nd service. “Horses were traded, races run, heavy drinking indulged in and many a fight ensued.” Markets continued to be held near the church until the 19th century, but as a result of fighting and general unrest in connection with the market days the church was torn down in 1808. A new church was built on the site in 1971.
Geography
Vang is bordered to the north by the municipalities of LomLom, Norway
Lom is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Fossbergom....
and Vågå
Vågå
Vågå is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Vågåmo....
, to the east by Øystre Slidre
Øystre Slidre
Øystre Slidre is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Valdres. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of...
, to the southeast by Vestre Slidre
Vestre Slidre
Vestre Slidre is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Valdres. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Slidre...
, to the south by Hemsedal
Hemsedal
Hemsedal 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 Trøym. In 1897, Hemsedal was separated from the municipality of Gol to become a municipality of its own.Hemsedal is the...
(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), and to the west by Lærdal
Lærdal
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...
and Årdal
Årdal
Årdal is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The village of Årdalstangen is the administrative center of the municipality. Årdal was separated from Lærdal in 1860....
(in Sogn og Fjordane
Sogn og Fjordane
is 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).
Vang is part of the Valdres
Valdres
Valdres is a traditional district in central, southern Norway, situated between Gudbrandsdal and Hallingdal.Administratively, Valdres belongs to Oppland. It consists of the municipalities Nord-Aurdal, Sør-Aurdal, Øystre Slidre, Vestre Slidre, Vang and Etnedal. The main town in the region is...
region in central, southern Norway. This region is situated between Gudbrandsdal
Gudbrandsdal
The Gudbrandsdalen is a valley and traditional district in the Norwegian county of Oppland. The valley is oriented in a north-westerly direction from Lillehammer at Mjøsa, extending 230 km toward Romsdal...
and Hallingdal
Hallingdal
Hallingdal is a valley and traditional district in Buskerud county in Norway. It consists of the municipalities of Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål and Hol.-History:Ancient routes went to Vestlandet through Valdres and Hallingdal and down Røldal to Odda...
.
Vang municipality is 56 kilometres (34.8 mi) on a north-south axis and 47.3 kilometres (29.4 mi) on an east-west axis. The highest point is Kalvehøgdi with a height of 2208 metres (7,244.1 ft) above sea-level.
Three quarters of the region is above 900 metres (2,952.8 ft). Five percent of the area is covered by water, including Lakes Fleinsendin
Fleinsendin
Fleinsendin is a lake in the municipality of Vang in Oppland county, Norway....
, Slettningen
Slettningen
Slettningen is a lake in the municipality of Vang in Oppland county, Norway....
and Vangsmjøsa. The lowest point is 363 metres (1,190.9 ft) above sea level.
Churches
- Høre stave churchHøre stave churchHøre stave church is a stave church located at Ryfoss in Vang municipality, Valdres, Norway. It was built in 1180 and rebuilt around 1820...
(built 1180) - Øye stave churchØye stave churchØye stave church is situated in Øye, a village in the municipality of Vang, Oppland county, Norway. It is a triple nave stave church and dates from the second half of the 12th century. The church was situated next to the lake Vangsmjøse in Øye. Here, however, the river Rødøla would flood almost...
(built 1150-1200) - St. Thomas Church, FilefjellSt. Thomas Church, FilefjellSt. Thomas Church, Filefjell is the previous site of a medieval stave church in Filefjell, Norway. Little is known of its pre-Reformation use. It was, however, rebuilt in the early 17th century, and services were again held. Gradually, the church gained a reputation for having healing powers and...
- Vang stave churchVang stave churchVang stave church is a stave church which was bought by the Prussian King and transferred from Vang in Norway and re-erected in 1842 in Brückenberg near Krummhübel in Germany, now Karpacz in the Karkonosze mountains of Poland....
Trivia
The Veblen and Bunde farmsteads were the homes of the parents of Thorstein Bunde Veblen's parents, from where they emigrated a year before the birth of their son.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...
- Municipal site