Nord-Fron
Encyclopedia
Nord-Fron 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 Vinstra
. The old municipality of Fron
was divided into Nord-Fron and Sør-Fron
in 1851. In 1966, they were merged back together again, but that only lasted until 1977 when they separated once again.
form of the name was Frón. The meaning of the name is unknown (maybe "earth" or "land"). Therefore the meaning of Nord-Fron is "(the) northern (part of) Fron" (since the parish and municipality of Fron was divided in 1851.)
is from modern times. They were granted on 18 July 1980. The arms show a gold-colored Dole Gudbrandsdal
on a red background. The Fron area has a longstanding tradition in horse breeding
and is one of the main centres of horse breeding in Norway. In the beginning of the century the Fron municipality used unofficial arms with a horse on it. After Fron was divided into Nord- and Sør-Fron, Nord-Fron choose the above arms.
(See also the coat-of-arms for Eid
, Gloppen
, Levanger
, Lyngen
, Skedsmo
and Ski
.)
. Peer was made famous by both Peter Asbjørnsen's folk tales and Henrik Ibsen
's play.
The body of Captain Sinclair
is buried in Kvam
.
The beautiful small church in Kvam, built in 1775, was burnt during the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
during World War II
.
municipality, to the south and east by Sør-Fron, in the south by Gausdal
and Øystre Slidre
, and in the southwest by Vågå
.
The district stretches from the mountains of Rondane and in the east to Jotunheimen
in the west. A point of Nord-Fron "touches" Folldal
municipality in Hedmark
County.
There are two population centers in Nord-Fron: the villages of Vinstra and Kvam. Kvam is located at the northern end of the Peer Gynt Road, which passes through high roads with excellent views of the Jotunheimen, Dovrefjell
, and Rondane mountain.
Lakes in the region include Feforvatnet
.
are located on the east side of the river south of the white water.
with Nord-Fron: - Hedemora
, Dalarna County
, Sweden
- Richmond
, North Yorkshire
, England, United Kingdom
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 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...
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Vinstra
Vinstra
Vinstra is the name of both a village and a river in Gudbrandsdalen. The village lies in Nord-Fron municipality in Oppland County, Norway. The administrative centre of Nord-Fron, the population is 2449. The village has rail connections via the Dovre railroad and has a high school. Highway E6...
. The old municipality of Fron
Fron
Fron is a former municipality in Gudbrandsdal in Oppland, Norway.It was created in 1837 as Fron formannskapsdistrikt, but in 1851 the municipality was split into Nord-Fron and Sør-Fron...
was divided into Nord-Fron and Sør-Fron
Sør-Fron
Sør-Fron 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 Hundorp....
in 1851. In 1966, they were merged back together again, but that only lasted until 1977 when they separated once again.
Name
The Old NorseOld 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....
form of the name was Frón. The meaning of the name is unknown (maybe "earth" or "land"). Therefore the meaning of Nord-Fron is "(the) northern (part of) Fron" (since the parish and municipality of Fron was divided in 1851.)
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...
is from modern times. They were granted on 18 July 1980. The arms show a gold-colored Dole Gudbrandsdal
Dole Gudbrandsdal
The Dole Gudbrandsdal, Dølahest or Dole is a draft- and harness-type horse from Norway. The Dole Trotter is alternately considered a subtype of the Dole Gudbrandsdal and a separate breed; it is also considered a part of the Coldblood trotter type...
on a red background. The Fron area has a longstanding tradition in horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
and is one of the main centres of horse breeding in Norway. In the beginning of the century the Fron municipality used unofficial arms with a horse on it. After Fron was divided into Nord- and Sør-Fron, Nord-Fron choose the above arms.
(See also the coat-of-arms for Eid
Eid, Norway
Eid is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Nordfjord. The village of Nordfjordeid is the administrative center of the municipality. Other larger villages are Mogrenda, Stårheim, Haugen, Kjølsdalen, Heggjabygda, and LoteEid is...
, Gloppen
Gloppen
Gloppen is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Nordfjord. Gloppen is generally subdivided into three areas: Hyen in the west, Gloppen in the center, and Breim in the east. Each of the areas have their own main service centres. ...
, Levanger
Levanger
Levanger is a town and municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Innherred region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Levanger...
, Lyngen
Lyngen
Lyngen is a municipality and a fjord in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lyngseidet.- General information :...
, Skedsmo
Skedsmo
Skedsmo is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Romerike. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillestrøm. About one third of the municipal population lives in Lillestrøm. Other important towns are Skedsmokorset, Skjetten and...
and Ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
.)
History
The farm Nord-Hoge in Sødorp parish, Nord-Fron is the legendary home of Peer GyntPeer Gynt
Peer Gynt is a five-act play in verse by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, loosely based on the fairy tale Per Gynt. It is the most widely performed Norwegian play. According to Klaus Van Den Berg, the "cinematic script blends poetry with social satire and realistic scenes with surreal ones"...
. Peer was made famous by both Peter Asbjørnsen's folk tales and Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
's play.
The body of Captain Sinclair
Prillar-Guri
Pillar-Guri or Pillarguri is a semi legendary figure who according to oral tradition was a woman from Sel, Norway who played a key role in the Battle of Kringen in August 1612.-Background:...
is buried in Kvam
Kvam, Oppland
Kvam is a village in Gudbrandsdalen situated along the Gudbrandsdalslågen river. The place lies in Nord-Fron municipality in Oppland County, Norway. During the military campaign in Norway in 1940, Kvam was the scene of a large military action between German and British soldiers. The place has a...
.
The beautiful small church in Kvam, built in 1775, was burnt during the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Geography
Nord-Fron is bordered to the north by SelSel
Sel is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Otta....
municipality, to the south and east by Sør-Fron, in the south by Gausdal
Gausdal
Gausdal 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 Segalstad bru...
and 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...
, and in the southwest by 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....
.
The district stretches from the mountains of Rondane and in the east to Jotunheimen
Jotunheimen
Jotunheimen is a mountainous area of roughly 3,500 km² in Southern Norway and is part of the long range known as the Scandinavian Mountains. The 29 highest mountains in Norway are all in Jotunheimen, including the very highest - Galdhøpiggen...
in the west. A point of Nord-Fron "touches" Folldal
Folldal
Folldal is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Dovre. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Folldal. The new municipality of Folldal was separated from Alvdal in 1914.-Name:...
municipality in Hedmark
Hedmark
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Akershus. The county administration is in Hamar.Hedmark makes up the northeastern part of Østlandet, the southeastern part of the country. It includes a long part of the borderline with Sweden, Dalarna County and Värmland County. The...
County.
There are two population centers in Nord-Fron: the villages of Vinstra and Kvam. Kvam is located at the northern end of the Peer Gynt Road, which passes through high roads with excellent views of the Jotunheimen, Dovrefjell
Dovrefjell
Dovrefjell is a mountain range in central Norway that forms a natural barrier between Eastern Norway and Trøndelag, the area around Trondheim. As a result, it has been heavily trafficked during and probably preceding historical times...
, and Rondane mountain.
Lakes in the region include Feforvatnet
Feforvatnet
Feforvatnet is a lake in the municipality of Nord-Fron in Oppland county, Norway....
.
Attractions
Eidefoss petroglyphs
The Rock carvings at EidefossRock carvings at Eidefoss
The rock carvings at Eidefoss by the river Fossen in Nord-Fron municipality in Oppland county in Norway, comprise two images of moose. These are on a rock, possibly fallen from a west-facing, nearly vertical cliff, about 20 meters from the river. One measures 31 cm and the other 35 cm.The location...
are located on the east side of the river south of the white water.
National parks
- Rondane National ParkRondane National ParkRondane National Park is the oldest national park in Norway, established on 21 December 1962. The park contains ten peaks above , with the highest being Rondslottet at an altitude of . The park is an important habitat for herds of wild reindeer....
, which lies partially in Nord-Fron, was the first Norwegian National Park, established on 21 December 1962. In 2003, Rondane National Park was enlarged and smaller areas of nature protection were opened or enlarged.
- Jotunheim National ParkJotunheim National ParkJotunheimen National Park is a national park in Norway, recognized as one of the country's premier hiking and fishing regions. The national park covers 1,151 km² and is part of the larger area Jotunheimen...
is not technically in Nord-Fron, but its southern border brushes Nord-Fron's western border.
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 Nord-Fron: - Hedemora
Hedemora Municipality
Hedemora Municipality is a municipality in Dalarna County in central Sweden. Its seat is in the city of Hedemora.In 1966 the City of Hedemora was amalgamated with the rural municipality by the same name and with Husby....
, Dalarna County
Dalarna County
Dalarna County is a county or län in middle Sweden. It borders the counties of Jämtland, Gävleborg, Västmanland, Örebro and Värmland. It is also bordered by the Norwegian counties of Hedmark and Sør-Trøndelag in the west...
, 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....
- Richmond
Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond is a market town and civil parish on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England and is the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire. It is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and serves as the Park's main tourist centre...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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...
- Official website