For the current cathedral in Hamar, see Hamar cathedral .
61-558: Hamar Cathedral ( Domkirkeruinene på Hamar ) are the ruins of the medieval era Hamar Cathedral in Hamar, Norway Hamar Cathedral was the see of the Ancient Diocese of Hamar . The diocese at Hamar had included much of the (modern) counties of Hedmark , Oppland , and Buskerud . The ruins form part of Anno Museum , formerly Hedmark museum , and were selected as the millennium site for Hedmark county. The cathedral's construction
122-556: A Black Grouse sitting in the top of a pine tree on a white background. An older version of the arms had been used for a long time. The old version was first described in the anonymous Hamar Chronicle , written in 1553. Between 500 and 1000 AD , the Åker farm was one of the most important power centres in Norway, located just a few kilometres away from today's town of Hamar. Three coins found in Ringerike in 1895 have been dated to
183-501: A centre for trade and religion. In 1152, the episcopal representative Nikolaus Breakspear founded Hamar Kaupangen as one of five dioceses in medieval Norway. This diocese included all of Hedemarkens Amt and Christians Amt , which were both separated from the Diocese of Oslo in 1152. The first bishop of Hamar was Arnold, Bishop of Gardar, Greenland (1124–1152). He began to build the (now ruined) Cathedral of Christ Church, which
244-564: A collection of old farm houses. The institution is a combined medieval, ethnological and archaeological museum, and has received architectural prizes for its approach to conservation and exhibition. It also houses a vast photographic archive for the Hedmark region. Additionally, Hamar is known for its indoor long track speed skating and bandy arena, the Olympia Hall , better known as Vikingskipet ("The Viking ship") for its shape. It
305-463: A few years and then picked up again in 1858, and by the end of 1860 there were a hundred insured houses in the town. The shore side properties were obliged to grow gardens, setting the stage for a leafy urban landscape. Roads quickly became a challenge – in some places, it was necessary to ford creeks in the middle of town. The road inspector found himself under considerable stress, and it took until 1869 to settle on street names. Highways in and out of
366-466: A large warehouse. Although the canal and basin still were not deep enough to accommodate passenger steamships, the area became one of the busiest areas in the town and the point around which the harbor was further developed. The Diocese of Hamar was established in 1864, and the Hamar Cathedral was consecrated in 1866 and remains a central point in the city. A promenade came into being from
427-548: A local economic base for constructing fortifications and a sufficient population to defend the area. It also restricted Hanseatic League merchants from trading in areas other than those designated. Under the 1838 formannskapsdistrikt law, kjøpstads and ladesteds were granted the ability to set up a town council just like the other cities and rural municipalities in the country. Most kjøpstads and ladesteds did this immediately, although some did not. Norwegian "market towns" died out and were replaced by free markets during
488-411: A simple hose. By 1852 a full-time fire chief was named. There was also some controversy around the watchman who loudly reported the time to all the town's inhabitants every half-hour, every night. Hamar also had a scrupulously enforced ordinance against smoking (pipe) without a lid in public or private. In Hamar's early days, the entire population consisted of young entrepreneurs, and little was needed in
549-485: A small seaport ( ladested ) or a market town ( kjøpstad ) before export, which encouraged local merchants to ensure trading went through them, which was so effective in limiting unsupervised sales (smuggling) that customs revenues increased from less than 30% of the total tax revenues in 1600 to more than 50% of the total taxes by 1700. Norway developed market towns at a much later period than other parts of Europe. The reasons for this late development are complex but include
610-675: A world record for longest distance covered in an hour. His 51,596 metres broke the 51,151 set at altitude nine years earlier. The record lasted only six days, before Chris Boardman beat it in Bordeaux, France. Kj%C3%B8pstad A kjøpstad (historically kjøbstad , kjöbstad , or kaupstad , from Old Norse : kaupstaðr ) is an old Scandinavian term for a " market town " in Denmark–Norway for several hundred years. Kjøpstads were places of trade and exporting materials (e.g. timber, flour, iron and other common goods). Towns were given
671-571: Is derived from the Hamar Chronicle , dated to about 1550. The town is said to have reached its apex in the early 14th century, dominated by the Hamar Cathedral , the bishop's manor, and a fortress, plus the surrounding urbanization. The town was known for its fragrant apple orchards , but there were also merchants, craftsmen, and fishermen in the town. After the Christianization of Norway in 1030, Hamar began to gain influence as
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#1732793080733732-514: Is evident in today's Hamar. There were also lingering concerns about the town's vulnerability to flooding . Construction began as soon as the law passed, in the spring of 1849. The first buildings were much like sheds, but there was great enthusiasm, and by the end of 1849, ten buildings were insured in the new town. None of these are standing today; the last two were adjacent buildings on Skappelsgate. By 1850, there were 31 insured houses, in 1852 there were 42; and in 1853, 56. Building slowed down for
793-418: Is the administrative centre of Hamar Municipality. It is located in the traditional region of Hedmarken . The town is located on the shores of Mjøsa , Norway's largest lake. Historically, it was the principal city of the former Hedmark county, now part of the larger Innlandet county. The town of Hamar lies in the southwestern part of the municipality, and the urban area of the town actually extends over
854-411: Is the pedestrian walkway in the middle of town, with the library, cinema and farmer's market on Stortorget (the big square) on the western side, and Østre Torg (the eastern square), which sits on top of an underground multi-story carpark, on the eastern side. Hamar is an important railway junction between two different lines from Oslo to Trondheim . Rørosbanen , the old railway line, branches off from
915-588: The Hanseatic League merchants from trading in places other than those designated. King Olaf established a market town in Bergen in the 11th century, and it soon became the residence of many wealthy families. Import and export were to be conducted only through market towns to allow oversight of commerce and to simplify the imposition of excise taxes and customs duties . This practice encouraged growth in areas with strategic significance, providing
976-478: The Northern Seven Years' War . Swedish forces had launched attacks into Eastern Norway, capturing Hamar and continued towards Oslo . The Swedes later retreated, torching Hamar on their way, destroying Hamar Cathedral and Hamarhus. Dating from 1987, construction started on the building of a protective structure to conserve the remains of the cathedral. Completed in 1998, the distinctive arches of
1037-690: The Storting a lengthy report, that included maps and plans for the new town. Lundh's premise was that the national economic interest reigned supreme, so he based his recommendation on the proposed town's ability to quickly achieve self-sustaining growth. He proposed that the name of the new town be called Carlshammer and proposed it be built along the shore just north of Storhamar and eastward. His plans were detailed, calling for streets that were 20 metres (66 ft) wide, rectangular blocks with 12 buildings in each, 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) separating each of them. He also proposed tax relief for 20 years for
1098-516: The Swedish army's siege and attempted demolition in 1567, during the Northern Seven Years' War . The old bishop's manor was also devastated during this siege. By 1587, merchants in Christiania had succeeded in moving all of Hamar's market activities to Oslo. Though some regional and seasonal trade persisted into the 17th century, Hamar as a town ceased to exist by then. In its place, the area
1159-401: The " dignity " or rank of being referred to as a kjøpstad when they reached a certain population. They had an established means of industry and other notable items, such as dockyards, steam mills, forges, churches, and grammar schools. The citizens of a kjøpstad could buy and sell goods and conduct other economic activities . Norway also had a subordinate category to the market town ,
1220-441: The "small seaport" ( Norwegian : ladested or lossested ). These were ports or harbours with a monopoly to import and export goods and materials in both the port and a surrounding outlying district. These places were usually subordinate to the nearest kjøpstad. Typically, these were locations for exporting timber and importing grain and goods. Local farm goods and timber sales were all required to pass through merchants at either
1281-523: The 19th century. During the 1950s, there were 44 kjøpstads and 20 ladesteds that had their town councils in Norway. In 1952, the legal distinctions for both the ladested and kjøpstad were removed from the Constitution of Norway , and they were legally the same as any other town ( by ) in Norway. In 1992, all municipalities received equal status under the law, finally removing all legal differences between town and rural municipalities. Since then,
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#17327930807331342-689: The Wednesday in Easter each year, for the last 13 years. Also situated in Hamar is the Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre which hosted the figure skating and short track speed skating events of the 1994 Winter Olympics. The figure skating competition was highly anticipated. It featured Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding , who drew most of the media attention, however the gold medal was won by Oksana Baiul of Ukraine . The centre of Hamar
1403-566: The area disagreed with King Eric II of Norway regarding a number of issues, including episcopal elections. Bishop Jörund (1285–86) was transferred to Trondheim. In the aftermath of the Reformation in Norway , the structure was renamed Hamarhus and became the residence of the local sheriff. Although still used, the cathedral fell into disrepair, which culminated with its besiegement by the Swedish army and attempted demolition in 1567 during
1464-582: The cathedral ruins are today protected by one of the most ambitious construction projects of its kind ever undertaken by the Norwegian government. 60°47′31″N 11°02′18″E / 60.79201°N 11.03840°E / 60.79201; 11.03840 Hamar, Norway Hamar [ˈhɑ̂ːmɑr] is a town in Hamar Municipality in Innlandet county , Norway. Hamar
1525-434: The city also caused considerable debate, especially regarding how to finance them. The first passenger terminal in Hamar was in fact a crag in the lake, from which travelers were rowed into the city. In 1850, another pier was built with a two-storey terminal building. All this was complicated by the significant seasonal variations in water levels. In 1857 a canal was built around a basin that would allow freight ships to access
1586-513: The coldest month on record with mean −17.2 °C (1.0 °F) in January 1917. In August 1975, the weather station "Staur Forsøksgård" in nearby Stange recorded 35 °C (95 °F). Hamar boasts several teams at the Norwegian top level in various sports: Hamar is known for its speed skating history, both for its skaters and the championships that have been hosted by the city, already in 1894 Hamar hosted its first European championship, and
1647-430: The current site, at Gammelhusbukten. On 26 April 1848, the king signed into law the establishment of Hamar as a kjøpstad on the grounds of the farms of Storhamar and Holset, along the shores of the lake Mjøsa . The law stated that the town will be founded on the date its borders are settled, which turned out to be 21 March 1849. Hamar was given a trading zone up to 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from its border. The new town
1708-595: The determination of the actual site to the king so as to not slow down things further. Another commission was named in June 1825, consisting of Herman Wedel-Jarlsberg , professor Lundh, and other prominent Norwegians. After surveying the entire lake, it submitted another report that considered eleven different locations, including sites near today's Eidsvoll , Minnesund , Tangen in Stange , Åker, Storhamar, Brumunddal , Nes , Moelven , Lillehammer , Gjøvik , and Toten . Each
1769-406: The dissenting Hans Nielsen Hauge to settle in the area. Bishop Fredrik Julius Bech , one of the most prominent officials of his time, proposed establishing a town at or near Storhamar, at the foot of Furuberget. In 1812, negotiations started in earnest, when the regional governor of Christians Amt , proposed establishing a market on Mjøsa. A four-person commission was named on 26 July 1814, with
1830-514: The farm became known as Storhamar, passing through several owners until Norwegian nobility was abolished in 1831, when Erik Anker took over the farm. As early as 1755, the Danish government in Copenhagen expressed an interest in establishing a trading center on the shores of the lake Mjøsa . Elverum was considered a frontier town with frequent unrest, and there was even talk of encouraging
1891-549: The first World Championship the following year. After the Vikingskipet was built, Hamar has hosted international championships on a regular basis. The most notable skaters from Hamar are Dag Fornæss and Even Wetten , both former World champions, allround and 1000m respectively. Amund Sjøbrend , Ådne Søndrål and Eskil Ervik have all been members of the local club Hamar IL , although they were not born in Hamar. In Hamar on 17 July 1993, Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree set
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1952-472: The following year in the neighboring rural community of Løten , with an audience of 3,000 locals, presumably the majority of Hamar's population at the time. In 1878, as the firefighting capabilities of the young town were upgraded, a fire broke out in a bakery. The fire was put out without doing too much damage. In February 1879 at 2:00 in the morning another fire broke out after festivities, burning down an entire building that housed many historical items from
2013-462: The harbor area, past the gardens on the shore, and north toward the site of the old town. The first executive of Hamar was Johannes Bay, who arrived in October 1849 to facilitate an election of a board of supervisors and representatives. The town's royal charter called for the election of three supervisors and nine representatives. Elections were announced in the paper and through the town crier. Of
2074-400: The ice and accumulated snow, which lead to another round of flooding. By the time a particularly cold and snow-filled winter set in, there was mostly relief about getting some stability. In 1876, the town was scandalized by the apprehension of one Kristoffer Svartbækken, arrested for the cold-blooded murder of 19-year-old Even Nilsen Dæhlin. Svartbækken was convicted for the murder and executed
2135-469: The lake to flood, peaking around 24 June, when the street-level floor of the front properties was completely inundated. This was the worst flood recorded since 1789. By 9 July, the flooding had receded. In August, massive rainfall led to flash flooding in the area, putting several streets under water. This was immediately followed by unseasonably cold weather, freezing the potato crops and inconveniencing Hamar's residents. Then mild weather set in, and melted all
2196-462: The limitations of Lillehammer's location had also become apparent, in particular those of its shallow harbor . After a few more years of discussions and negotiations both regionally and nationally, member of parliament Frederik Stang put on the table once more the possibility of a town in or near Storhamar. The governor at the time, Frederik Hartvig Johan Heidmann , presented a thorough deliberation of possible specific locations, and ended up proposing
2257-412: The mainline Dovre Line . The Norwegian Railway Museum ( Norsk Jernbanemuseum ) is also in Hamar. Hamar Airport, Stafsberg caters to general aviation. Hamar has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with fairly dry and cold winters, and comfortably warm summers. The Hamar II weather station, at an elevation of 141 metres (463 ft), started recording in 1968. The all-time high 33 °C (91 °F)
2318-533: The mandate of determining a suitable site for a new town along the shore. On 8 June 1815, the commission recommended establishing such a town at Lillehammer , then also a farm, part of the prestegjeld of Fåberg . Acting on objections to this recommendation, the department of the interior asked two professors, Ludvig Stoud Platou and Gregers Fougner Lundh , to survey the area and develop an alternative recommendation. It appears that Lundh in particular put great effort into this assignment, and in 1824 he presented to
2379-516: The municipal borders into both Ringsaker and Stange municipalities. The 13.95-square-kilometre (5.39 sq mi) town has a population (2021) of 28,535 and a population density of 2,045 inhabitants per square kilometre (5,300/sq mi). About 1.5 square kilometres (370 acres) and 2,109 residents within the town are actually located in Ringsaker Municipality and another 0.29 square kilometres (72 acres) and 305 residents of
2440-423: The name of a medieval road) and a grid system of streets between them. The orientation of the town was toward the shore. Røyem set aside space for three parks and a public square, and also room for a church just outside the town border. There were critics of the plan, pointing out that the terrain was hilly and not suitable for the proposed rigid grid. Some adjustments were made, but the plan was largely accepted and
2501-648: The seat of the Diocese after the last Catholic bishop, Mogens Lauritssøn (1513–1537), was taken prisoner in his castle at Hamar by Truid Ulfstand , a Danish noble , and then sent to Antvorskov in Denmark, where he was mildly treated until his death in 1542. At Hamar's peak, there was a Cathedral chapter with ten canons , a school, a Dominican Priory of St. Olaf, and a monastery of the Canons Regular of St. Anthony of Vienne . Hamar, like most of Norway,
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2562-455: The sparse population, lack of urbanisation, no real manufacturing industries, and no cash economy. The first kjøpstads date back to the 11th and 12th centuries when the King of Norway sought to centralise commerce in specific places that offered strategic significance, providing a local economic base for constructing fortifications and a population for the area's defence. It also restricted
2623-448: The ten eligible town citizens, three supervisors were elected, and the remaining six were elected by consent to be representatives, resulting in a shortfall of three on the board. The first mayor of Hamar was Christian Borchgrevink. The first order of business was the allocation of liquor licenses and the upper limit of alcohol that could be sold within the town limits. The board quickly decided to award licenses to both applicants and set
2684-409: The time of Harald Hardråde and are inscribed Olafr a Hamri . At some point, presumably after 1030 but clearly before 1152, the centre was moved from Åker to the peninsula near Rosenlundvika (today Domkirkeodden) in what is now the town of Hamar. There are some indications Harald Hardråde initiated this move because he had property at the new site. Much of the information about medieval Hamar
2745-514: The town are located within Stange Municipality . The municipality (originally the town) is named after the old Hamar farm ( Old Norse : Hamarr ). The medieval market was first built on this farm and that market eventually became a kjøpstad which in turn became a self-governing municipality. The name is identical with the word hamarr which means "rocky hill". The coat of arms were granted on 2 June 1896. The arms show
2806-443: The town of Hamar (population: 4,087) was transferred out of Vang and merged into Hamar. The following year, a part of the municipality of Furnes (population: 821) was also merged into Hamar. On 1 January 1965, a part of Ringsaker with a population of about 100 people was transferred to Hamar. In 1975, Storhamar Church was built to serve Hamar's growing population. On 1 January 1992, the municipality of Vang (population: 9,103)
2867-400: The town started setting taxes and a budget by the end of 1849. In 1850, a new election was held for the town board. The painter Jakobsen had early on offered the use of his home for public meetings and assembly, and upon buying a set of solid locks, his basement also became the town prison. One merchant was designated as the town's firefighter and was given two buckets with equipment, and later
2928-471: The town's first residents, that the state relinquish property taxes in favor of the town, and that the town be given monopoly rights to certain trade. He even proposed that certain types of foreigners be allowed to settle in the town to promote trade, in particular, the Quakers . His recommendation was accepted in principle by the government, but the parliamentary committee equivocated on the location. It left
2989-451: The town's population engaged in demonstrations, marches, and other unlawful but non-violent acts that were effectively ended when a company of soldiers arrived from the camp at Terningmoen near Elverum. Composer Fredrikke Waaler founded and directed the first orchestra in Hamar in 1893. She also directed a choir and wrote a song for the city. In 1946, a large area in Vang that surrounded
3050-511: The town. This was followed by a series of fires that left entire blocks in ashes. The fires kept happening until 1881, when a professional fire corps was hired. In 1889, there were riots in Hamar over the arrest of one of their own constables, one sergeant Huse, who had been insubordinate while on a military drill at the cavalry camp at Gardermoen . In an act of poor judgment, Huse's superior sent him to Hamar's prison in place of military stockades. Partly led and partly tolerated by other constables,
3111-492: The upper limit to 12,000 "pots" of liquor, an amount that was for all intents and purposes limitless. The electorate increased in 1849 to 26, including merchants and various craftsmen, and the empty representative posts were filled in November. In 1850, the board allowed for unlimited exercise of any craft for which no citizenship had been taken out, which led to much unregulated craftsmanship. Part-time policemen were hired, and
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#17327930807333172-400: The way of social services. After a few years, a small number of indigent people needed support, and a poorhouse was erected. On 1 January 1878, the town/municipality of Hamar was enlarged by annexing about 800 decares (200 acres) of land and 138 people from the neighboring municipality of Vang to Hamar. In 1860, concerns about flooding were vindicated when a late and sudden spring caused
3233-528: Was begun by Bishop Arnaldur (1124–52), who was appointed first Bishop of Hamar in 1150 on his return from Gardar, Greenland . The cathedral was completed about the time of Bishop Paul (1232–52). It was originally built in the Romanesque architectural style and later converted to Gothic . Bishop Thorfinn of Hamar (1278–82) was exiled and died at Ter Doest in Flanders . Thorfinn and many other bishops of
3294-517: Was built to host the speed skating competitions of the 1994 Winter Olympics that were held in nearby Lillehammer . Already in 1993 it hosted the Bandy World Championship . The Vikingskipet Olympic Arena was later used in the winter of 2007 as the service park for Rally Norway, the second round of the 2007 World Rally Championship season. It has been the host for the world's second largest computer party The Gathering starting on
3355-537: Was completed about the time of Bishop Paul (1232–1252). Bishop Thorfinn (1278–1282) was exiled and died at Ter Doest abbey in Flanders, and was later canonised . Bishop Jörund (1285–1286) was transferred to Trondheim . A provincial council was held in 1380. Hamar remained an important religious and political centre in Norway, organized around the cathedral and the bishop's manor until the Reformation that took place in 1536–1537. At this time, Hamar lost its status as
3416-461: Was merged with the town of Hamar (population: 16,351) and parts of the Stensby, Hanstad, Viker, and Stammerud areas of Ringsaker (population: 224) to form a new, larger Hamar Municipality . The Hedmark museum , located on Domkirkeodden , is an important historical landmark in Hamar, an outdoor museum with remains of the medieval church, in a protective glass housing, the episcopal fortress and
3477-426: Was presented with pros and cons. The commission itself was split between Lillehammer and Storhamar. The parliament finally decided on Lillehammer, relegating Hamar once more, it seemed, to be a sleepy agricultural area. As steamboats were introduced on the lake, the urban elite developed an interest in the medieval Hamar, and in 1841, editorials appeared advocating the re-establishment of a town at Storhamar. By then,
3538-520: Was recorded in July 2018, which was the warmest month on record with average daily high 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) and mean 21.6 °C (70.9 °F). The all-time low −29.8 °C (−21.6 °F) is from in December 2010, which was a very cold month with mean −14 °C (7 °F) and average daily low −18.2 °C (−0.8 °F). A previous weather station (Hamar I, at an elevation of 139 m) recorded
3599-563: Was severely diminished by the Black Plague in 1349, and by all accounts continued this decline until the Reformation, after which it disappeared. The Reformation in Norway took less than ten years to complete, from 1526 to 1536. During this time, the fortress in Hamar was made into the residence of the sheriff and renamed Hamarhus fortress. The cathedral was still used as a regular church, but it fell into disrepair culminating with
3660-435: Was taken out of the municipality of Vang and created established as Hamar Municipality under the formannskapsdistrikt law that was passed in 1838. The area of the new town and municipality covered an area measuring "400 mål" which is the equivalent to today's 40 hectares (99 acres). An army engineer , Røyem, drafted the initial plan. There would be three thoroughfares, at Strandgata, Torggata, and Grønnegate (the latter
3721-498: Was used for agriculture under the Storhamar farm, though the ruins of the cathedral, fortress, and lesser buildings became landmarks for centuries since then. The King made Hamarhus a feudal seat until 1649, when Frederick III transferred the property known as Hammer to Hannibal Sehested , making it private property. In 1716, the estate was sold to Jens Grønbech (1666–1734). With this, a series of construction projects started, and
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