Sauherad is a former municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It was part of the traditional region of Midt-Telemark. The 321-square-kilometre (124 sq mi) municipality existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 2020. The area is now part of Midt-Telemark Municipality and Notodden Municipality. The administrative centre was the village of Akkerhaugen. Other villages in the municipality included Gvarv, Holtsås, Hjukse, Hjuksebø, Nordagutu, and Sauherad. Sauherad bordered the municipalities of Kongsberg, Skien, Nome, , and Notodden.

Sauherad Municipality
Sauherad kommune
Saude herred  (historic name)
Søfde herred  (historic name)
View of Nesodden in Sauherad
View of Nesodden in Sauherad
Telemark within Norway
Telemark within Norway
Sauherad within Telemark
Sauherad within Telemark
Coordinates: 59°26′0″N 9°15′55″E / 59.43333°N 9.26528°E / 59.43333; 9.26528
CountryNorway
CountyTelemark
DistrictMidt-Telemark
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Disestablished1 Jan 2020
 • Succeeded byMidt-Telemark Municipality
Administrative centreAkkerhaugen
Government
 • Mayor (2015-2019)Mette Haugholt (Ap)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total320.54 km2 (123.76 sq mi)
 • Land289.61 km2 (111.82 sq mi)
 • Water30.93 km2 (11.94 sq mi)  9.6%
 • Rank#265 in Norway
Population
 (2019)
 • Total4,293
 • Rank#224 in Norway
 • Density13/km2 (35/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +0.4%
DemonymSauhering[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-0822[3]

Prior to its dissolution in 2020, the 321-square-kilometre (124 sq mi) municipality was the 265th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Sauherad was the 224th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 4,293. The municipality's population density was 13 inhabitants per square kilometre (34/sq mi) and its population has increased by 0.4% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

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The parish of Søfde (later spelled Saude, then Sauherad) was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1903, an unpopulated area of Saude was transferred to the neighboring Gjerpen Municipality. On 1 July 1914 a small area of Sauherad (population: 27) was transferred to the neighboring Bø Municipality.[6]

On 1 January 2020, Sauherad Municipality (population: 4,293) was merged with the neighboring Bø Municipality (population: 6,630) to form the new Midt-Telemark Municipality.[7]

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Sauar farm (Old Norse: Sauðar) since the first Sauherad Church was built there. The name comes from the plural form of sauðr which means "to boil" or "to seeth", likely referring to the current in the local river. The last element, herad (added in the 20th century) comes from the word herað which means "district" or "countryside". Thus it is "the district (herað) of Sauðar".[8] Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Søfde. In 1862, the spelling was changed to Saude. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Sauherad.[9]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 27 April 1989 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality became part of the new Midt-Telemark Municipality. The official blazon is "Azure, an apple tree Or" (Norwegian: I blått et gull epletre). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is an apple tree with leaves and apples. The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The design was chosen since apple cultivation is a major industry in the municipality. The arms were designed by Halvor Holtskog. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[10][11][12]

Churches

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The Church of Norway had one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Sauherad. It was part of the Øvre Telemark prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Churches in Sauherad
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Sauherad og Nes Nes Church Nesodden
(just outside Gvarv)
1180
Sauherad Church Sauherad 1150
 
Sauherad Church

Sauherad Church dates from the medieval era. The church was built between 1150 and 1250. The edifice is of stone and has 260 seats. The church is built in Romanesque style. On the ridge, in the middle of the gable roof, sits a turret. The church bells are from 1441. The altarpiece from 1663 is of Renaissance style. In 1781 the building was extended westward. In 1830 the church received a new interior. The frescoes in the nave were uncovered and restore during the 1940s and 1950s.[13]

Transportation

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Railway

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Both the Sørland Line and the Bratsberg Line ran through Sauherad. The Bratsberg Line runs as part of the Sørland Line between Hjuksebø and Nordagutu. The Hjukse Bridge at Hjuksebø on the Bratsberg Line is Norway's tallest railway bridge at 65 metres (213 ft). In 2019, Nordagutu Station was the only operating station left in Sauherad.

Roads

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The Norwegian national roads 36 and 360 both went through Sauherad. Norwegian county roads 44, 151, 551, 553, and 555 also travelled through Sauherad. In 2008, all roads and streets got names, as one of the last municipalities in Norway to do this.

Government

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While it existed, this municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment, social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[14] The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the Telemark District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Sauherad was made up of 29 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.

Sauherad kommunestyre 2016–2019 [15][16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 2012–2015 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 2008–2011 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 2004–2007 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 2000–2003 [16][18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1996–1999 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1992–1995 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1988–1991 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1984–1987 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1980–1983 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1976–1979 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1972–1975 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  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:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1968–1971 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:29
Sauherad kommunestyre 1964–1967 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad herredsstyre 1960–1963 [28]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 2
Total number of members:29
Sauherad herredsstyre 1956–1959 [29]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:29
Sauherad herredsstyre 1952–1955 [30]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 3
Total number of members:28
Sauherad herredsstyre 1948–1951 [31]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:28
Sauherad herredsstyre 1945–1947 [32]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
Total number of members:28
Sauherad herredsstyre 1938–1940* [33]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:28
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.

Mayors

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The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Sauherad (incomplete list):

  • 1999-2015: Hans Sundsvalen (Ap)
  • 2015-2019: Mette Haugholt (Ap)

Attractions

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Events

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  • Sauheraddagane (since 1993)
  • Kartfestivalen (Kart Festival, since 2005)
  • Norsk Eplefest (Norwegian apple festival, since 2006)

Buildings

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  • Blæksås fortress (3-5th century)
  • Bratningsborg fortress (3-5th century)
  • Steinborg fortress (3-5th century)
  • Evju Bygdetun (Museum)
  • Nes stone church (12th century)
  • Sauherad stone church (12th century)

Notable people

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Sister cities

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The following cities are twinned with Sauherad:[34]

See also

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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. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. ^ Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (15 August 2023). "Midt-Telemark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1914). Norske gaardnavne: Bratsbergs amt (in Norwegian) (7 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. pp. 214–215.
  9. ^ "Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1917. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m". Norsk Lovtidend (in Norwegian). Kristiania, Norge: Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri: 1057–1065. 1917.
  10. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Sauherad, Telemark (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 7 December 1989. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Sauherad kirke". kulturminnesok. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  14. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Telemark". Valg Direktoratet.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Telemark". Valg Direktoratet.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1999" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  23. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. ISBN 8253705646.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. ISBN 8253701144.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  31. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  32. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  33. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  34. ^ "Vennskapskommuner" (in Norwegian). Sauherad kommune. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
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