Holtålen is a municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Gauldalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality is located in the Ålen area of the village of Renbygda. Other villages in the municipality include Hessdalen, Aunegrenda, and Haltdalen.

Holtålen Municipality
Holtålen kommune
View of the Båttjønndalen valley in Holtålen
View of the Båttjønndalen valley in Holtålen
Trøndelag within Norway
Trøndelag within Norway
Holtålen within Trøndelag
Holtålen within Trøndelag
Coordinates: 62°52′07″N 11°16′38″E / 62.86861°N 11.27722°E / 62.86861; 11.27722
CountryNorway
CountyTrøndelag
DistrictGauldal
Established1 Jan 1972
 • Preceded byHaltdalen and Ålen
Administrative centreRenbygda/Ålen
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Jan Arild Sivertsgård (Ap)
Area
 • Total1,209.51 km2 (466.99 sq mi)
 • Land1,170.55 km2 (451.95 sq mi)
 • Water39.03 km2 (15.07 sq mi)  3.2%
 • Rank#89 in Norway
Population
 (2023)
 • Total1,997
 • Rank#279 in Norway
 • Density1.7/km2 (4/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −1.6%
DemonymHoltåling[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5026[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

The 1,209.5-square-kilometre (467.0 sq mi) municipality is the 89th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Holtålen is the 279th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,997. The municipality's population density is 1.7 inhabitants per square kilometre (4.4/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 1.6% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

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Farm in the Hessdalen valley (c. 1950s)
 
The old, stone Eidet bridge that was built in 1853. It crosses the river Gaula near Hyttfossen.
 
Ålen Church

The municipality of Holtaalen was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1841, the western part of the municipality was separated to become the municipality of Singsaas. This left Holtaalen with 1,885 residents. Then in 1855, the southeastern part of Holtaalen was separated to become the municipality of Aalen, leaving Holtaalen with 809 residents. The spelling of the name was changed to Holtålen in 1921. In 1937, the name was changed from Holtålen to Haltdalen. On 1 January 1972, the municipality of Haltdalen was merged with the neighboring municipality of Ålen to form the new (present-day) municipality of Holtålen (resurrecting an old name for the area as the name of the new municipality). Prior to the merger, Haltdalen had 778 residents. On 21 April 1989, a small unpopulated part of the neighboring municipality of Røros was transferred to Holtålen.[6] On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the old Sør-Trøndelag county to the new Trøndelag county.

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the local valley (Old Norse: Holtdalr and later Holtáll). The first element is Holt is the old name for the local river Holda. The last element is dalr which means "valley" or "dale". Later, around the year 1400, the suffix changed to áll which means "ditch" or "gully" (ålen is the modern definite form of this word).[7]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 4 March 1988. The official blazon is "Gules, a grouse argent" (Norwegian: I rødt en stående sølv rype). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) (a type of grouse). The ptarmigan has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. This common local bird was chosen to reflect the importance of hunting in the municipality. The arms were designed by Kari Vårhus Sagen.[8][9][10]

Churches

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The Church of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Holtålen. It is part of the Gauldal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Churches in Holtålen
Parish (sokn) Church name Year built Location of the church
Haltdalen Haltdalen Church 1881 Haltdalen
Haltdalen Stave Church 1170 Trondheim**
Aunegrenda Chapel 1952 Aunegrenda
Hessdalen Hessdalen Church 1940 Hessdalen
Ålen Ålen Church 1881 Renbygda
**This church was moved to a museum in Trondheim, but was originally in Haltdalen.

Geography

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View of the Eafossen waterfall

The Gauldalen valley with the river Gaula originates from the mountainous area near the mining town of Røros, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of Renbygda, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. At the village of Renbygda the deep Gauldalen valley disappears into the mountains, not far from the lake Riasten.

The western part of Holtålen is where the Forollhogna National Park is located with the mountain Forollhogna on the border with Midtre Gauldal municipality. The lake Øyungen lies just outside the park.

The Kjøli and Killingdal copper mines are located in the southeastern part of Holtålen. The last mine in production was Killingdal until it closed down in 1986.

Hessdalen is a mountain valley joining the Gauldal valley close to the village of Renbygda. Around 1983, Hessdalen became famous for UFO observations and the Hessdalen lights. Because of this the Hessdalen AMS station was founded in the valley.

The Rørosbanen railway line runs through the municipality, stopping at the Ålen Station and Haltdalen Station.

Government

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Holtålen 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.[11] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Trøndelag District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Holtålen is made up of 11 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Holtålen kommunestyre 2023–2027 [12]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
 Future Holtålen (Framtida Holtålen)4
Total number of members:11
Holtålen kommunestyre 2019–2024 [13]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
 Future Holtålen (Framtida Holtålen)3
Total number of members:15
Holtålen kommunestyre 2015–2019 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:15
Holtålen kommunestyre 2011–2015 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 8
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 2007–2011 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), Centre Party (Senterpartiet), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 8
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 2003–2007 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), Centre Party (Senterpartiet), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 9
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1999–2003 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
 Holtålen List (Holtålenlista)7
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1995–1999 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
 Holtålen local list (Holtålen Bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1991–1995 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
 Local list for Holtålen (Bygdaliste for Holtålen)2
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1987–1991 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1983–1987 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1979–1983 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1975–1979 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
Total number of members:21
Holtålen kommunestyre 1971–1975 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:21

Mayors

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The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Holtålen:[23]

  • 1972–1975: Arne Wolden (Ap)
  • 1976–1979: Olav Myran (Ap)
  • 1980–1991: Håvard Moen (Ap)
  • 1991–2011: Ivar Volden (Ap)
  • 2011–2015: Heidi Greni (Sp)
  • 2015–2019: Jan Håvard Refsethås (Sp)
  • 2019–2023: Arve Hitterdal (LL)
  • 2023-present: Jan Arild Sivertsgård (Ap)[24]

Notable people

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References

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  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. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  7. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1901). Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Trondhjems amt (in Norwegian) (14 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 220.
  8. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Holtålen, South Trøndelag (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 4 March 1988. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  11. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Trøndelag Trööndelage". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Sør-Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  23. ^ Tretvik, Aud Mikkelsen; Stalsberg, Anne (1998). Ålen og ålbyggen. 3 (in Norwegian). Holtålen kommune.
  24. ^ "Holtålen: Vipper Hitterdal ut av ordførerstolen". NRK (in Norwegian). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
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