Gjøvik Municipality
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Infobox kommune
Gjøvik (Template:Audio) is a municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Gjøvik. Some of the villages in Gjøvik include Biri, Bybrua, Hunndalen, Snertingdal, and Vardal.
The Template:Convert municipality is the 169th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Gjøvik Municipality is the 35th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 31,175. The municipality's population density is Template:Convert and its population has increased by 4.2% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ssb area">Template:Cite web</ref>
General information



Historically, the village of Gjøvik was part of Vardal Municipality. On 1 January 1861, the village was granted kjøpstad (town) status. At that time, the village was separated from Vardal Municipality to form a separate municipality given its new status as a town. Initially, the new town and municipality of Gjøvik had 626 residents. On 1 July 1921, a part of Vardal Municipality located just outside the town of Gjøvik (population: 723) was annexed into the town. Again, on 1 January 1955, another part of Vardal Municipality (population: 1,372) was transferred to the town.<ref name="Dag">Template:Cite web</ref>
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the following areas were merged to form a new, larger Gjøvik Municipality with 23,608 residents:<ref name="Dag" />
- the town of Gjøvik (population: 8,251)
- Biri Municipality (population: 3,274)
- Snertingdal Municipality (population: 2,471)
- most of Vardal Municipality (population: (9,612)
Historically, this municipality was part of the old Oppland county. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became a part of the newly-formed Innlandet county (after Hedmark and Oppland counties were merged).<ref>Template:Cite SNL</ref>
Etymology
The municipality (originally the town) is named after the old Gjøvik farm (Template:Langx). The first element is Template:Wikt-lang which means "deep". The last element is Template:Wikt-lang which means "small bay" or "inlet".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Coat of arms
The original coat of arms was granted in 1922 and it was in use until 2 September 1960 when a new coat of arms was put into use. The diagonal division of the shield shows green and white to symbolise the dark forests around the (light) city. The vertical wavy pale symbolises the Hunnselva river that runs into the lake Mjøsa (the largest lake in Norway). At the same time the pale also symbolizes a linden tree (which has no known symbolism). The linden tree has yellow leaves over the green background and red leaves over the white background. The arms included the statement Template:Lang (meaning "force and will") on the lower part of the shield. The base of the design was meant to look like both water (the lake) and also a so-called "potpourri" vase, the most significant design of the glassworks factory that was the founding industry of the town.<ref name="KV">Template:Cite web</ref> Photo of the old arms.
The current coat of arms was granted on 2 September 1960 to replace an older coat of arms. The official blazon is "Azure, a swan naiant argent" (Template:Langx). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a swimming swan (Cygnus cygnus). The swan has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The swan is a symbol for the side-wheel steamer Skiblander, often called the "white swan of Mjøsa", which is usually docked in the town harbor. The arms were designed by Finn Krafft. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.<ref name="KV" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:See also-text
Churches

The Church of Norway has seven parishes (Template:Lang) within Gjøvik Municipality. It is part of the Toten prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.
| Parish (Template:Lang) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biri | Biri Church | Biri | 1777 |
| Bråstad | Bråstad Church | Bråstad | 1963 |
| Engehaugen | Engehaugen Church | Gjøvik | 1994 |
| Gjøvik | Gjøvik Church | Gjøvik | 1882 |
| Hunn | Hunn Church | Hunndalen | 1968 |
| Snertingdal | Nykirke | Ålset in Snertingdalen | 1872 |
| Seegård Church | Seegård | 1997 | |
| Vardal | Vardal Church | Øverbygda | 1803 |
Gjøvik Church is the main church for the municipality. It was designed by architect Jacob Wilhelm Nordan. The wooden structure was built between 1881 and 1882. Both the church buildings and fixtures are designed in Gothic Revival architecture. The exterior of the church has contrasting colors on wall surfaces and bearing structures. The altarpiece was painted by artist, Asta Nørregaard. The churchyard has a monument dedicated to the memory of Lutheran missionary, Paul Olaf Bodding. The church was restored during 1927, 1960, 2004-2005 and in 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
| Ancestry | Number |
|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 453 |
| Template:Flag | 334 |
| Template:Flag | 309 |
| Template:Flag | 265 |
| Template:Flag | 225 |
| Template:Flag | 219 |
| Template:Flag | 192 |
| Template:Flag | 168 |
| Template:Flag | 159 |
| Template:Flag | 145 |
| Template:Flag | 143 |
| Template:Flag | 125 |
| Template:Flag | 120 |
| Template:Flag | 118 |
| Template:Flag | 105 |
| Template:Flag | 105 |
| Template:Flag | 101 |
Along with Hamar, Lillehammer, Brumunddal, and Moelv, Gjøvik is one of the many towns bordering Norway's biggest lake, Mjøsa. The municipality includes the town of Gjøvik plus the suburb area Hunndalen and the rural villages of Biri, Snertingdal, and Vardal.
Gjøvik Municipality is bordered on the north by Lillehammer Municipality, in the south by Østre Toten Municipality and Vestre Toten Municipality, and in the west by Søndre Land Municipality and Nordre Land Municipality. Across Lake Mjøsa to the east lies Ringsaker Municipality.
The highest point in the municipality is the Template:Convert tall mountain Ringsrudåsen, located on the border with Nordre Land Municipality.<ref name="elev" />
Economy
Gjøvik Municipality owes much of its early growth to the local glassworks, which were established there by Caspar Kauffeldt in 1807. In the early 19th century, there was considerable immigration there from Valdres and Western Norway, aiding Gjøvik's growth. The village of Gjøvik was granted kjøpstad status in 1861, making it a town and self-governing municipality. Later, O. Mustad & Son became one of the world's largest manufacturers of fish hooks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Today dolphitech, Hoff Potetindustrier, Hunton Fiber, and Natre Vinduer are some of the industrial companies operating from Gjøvik. The town is also a port for the former traffic ship, Skibladner, which is now a tourist ship.
The local paper is the Oppland Arbeiderblad. It was formerly a Labour Party newspaper. Defunct newspapers include Oplændingen and Velgeren (Labour Democrat/Liberal), Samhold (Liberal, later Agrarian) and Ny Dag (Communist).
Gjøvik has two notable hotels, the Grand hotel and the Strand hotel.
There have been three notable concerts held in Gjøvik's history, which starred Toto, Robbie Williams and Bryan Adams (June 2011).
Government
Gjøvik 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.<ref name="ks">Template:Cite SNL</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Vestoppland og Valdres District Court and the Eidsivating Court of Appeal.
Municipal council
The municipal council Template:Lang of Gjøvik Municipality is made up of 41 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party. Template:Div col Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Kommunestyre table Template:Div col end
Mayors
The mayor (Template:Langx) of Gjøvik Municipality is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div col
- 1861–1872: Adolph Martin Lund
- 1873–1873: Peter Soelberg
- 1874–1874: Martin Opsahl
- 1875–1879: Adolph Martin Lund
- 1879–1884: Haagen Skattum (H)
- 1885–1888: Mathias Wildaasen (V)
- 1889–1889: Hans O. Eger (V)
- 1890–1890: Andreas Slettum
- 1891–1893: Fredrik Fischer (H)
- 1894–1894: Christian Nygaard (V)
- 1895–1896: Anders Østbye (V)
- 1897–1898: Fredrik Fischer (H)
- 1898–1899: Anders Østbye (V)
- 1900–1900: Fredrik Fischer (H)
- 1901–1901: Anders Østbye (V)
- 1902–1904: Alf Mjøen (V)
- 1905–1905: Fredrik Fischer (H)
- 1906–1906: Adolf Houg (V)
- 1907–1907: Fredrik Fischer (H)
- 1908–1908: Leif Castberg (AD)
- 1909–1909: Adolf Skattum (H)
- 1910–1916: Leif Castberg (AD)
- 1917–1922: Johan Granvin (H)
- 1923–1941: Niels Ødegaard (Ap)
- 1941–1945: John Lærum (NS)
- 1945–1967: Niels Ødegaard (Ap)
- 1968–1978: Nils Røstadstuen (Ap)
- 1978–1981: Alf Iversen (Ap)
- 1982–1991: Martin Stikbakke (Ap)
- 1992–2000: Tore Hagebakken (Ap)
- 2000–2001: Kåre Haugen (Ap)
- 2001–2005: Tore Hagebakken (Ap)
- 2005–2007: Kåre Haugen (Ap)
- 2007–2019: Bjørn Iddberg (Ap)
- 2019–2023: Torvild Sveen (Sp)
- 2023–present: Anne Bjertnæs (H)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Attractions
- The world's largest arena excavated in rock, called Gjøvik Olympic Hall (Template:Langx), is located in Gjøvik. It was one of the sites of the Lillehammer Winter Olympics ice hockey games in 1994.
- Gjøvik farm
- Gjøvik glassworks
- Eiktunet cultural-history museum
- The world's oldest paddle steamer still on a regular schedule, the PS Skibladner
- Biri Travbane
Notable people


Public Service & public thinking
- Anders Lysgaard (1756–1827), a farmer and representative at the Norwegian Constituent Assembly
- Hans Schikkelstad (1789–1843), a farmer and politician who founded O. Mustad & Søn
- Balthazar Mathias Keilhau (1797–1858), a geologist and mountain pioneer
- Hans Mustad (1837–1918), a businessperson who shaped the company O. Mustad & Son
- Johan Castberg (1862–1926), a jurist and politician in Gjøvik from 1890-1900
- Paul Olaf Bodding (1865–1938), a missionary to India memorialized by monument at Gjøvik church
- Ole Evinrude (1877–1934), a Norwegian-American who invented the first practical outboard motor
- Niels Ødegaard (1892–1976), an educator, newspaper editor, and politician
- Harold Harby (1894–1978), a city council member in Los Angeles, California
- Arne Austeen DFC (1911–1945), a flying ace who was killed in WWII
- Ragnhild A. Lothe (born 1958), a microbiologist and cancer researcher
- Hans Olav Lahlum (born 1973), an historian, crime author, chess player, and politician
The Arts

- Finn Lange (1895–1976), an actor<ref>Template:IMDb name. Retrieved 15 January 2021.</ref>
- Georg Adelly (1919–1997), a Swedish film actor<ref>Template:IMDb name. Retrieved 15 January 2021.</ref>
- Torbjørn Sunde (born 1954), a jazz trombonist and former speed-skater
- Kjell Ola Dahl (born 1958), an author of Nordic noir crime novels
- Per A. Borglund (born 1961), a newspaper and magazine editor
- Per Elvestuen (born 1962), an illustrator
- Mai Britt Normann (born 1966), a singer-songwriter
- Eirik Hegdal (bornr 1973), a jazz saxophonist, composer, and leader of Trondheim Jazz Orchestra
- Ali Pirzad-Amoli (born 1988), a pop singer-songwriter and rapper who goes by the stage name A-Lee
- Anna Lotterud (born 1989), a singer-songwriter who goes by the stage name Anna of the North
- Nora Foss al-Jabri (born 1996), a singer and participant in the Norwegian 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
Sport

- Guttorm Berge (1929–2004), an Alpine skier, bronze medalist at the 1952 Winter Olympics
- Roger Aandalen (born 1965), a boccia player and paralympic medallist
- Bente Nordby (born 1974), a former football goalkeeper with 172 caps with Norway women
- Tord Linnerud (born 1974), a rallycross driver
- Else-Marthe Sørlie Lybekk (born 1978), a retired team handball player and Olympic medallist
- Gro Hammerseng (born 1980), a handball player and captain of the Norwegian national team
- Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (born 1990), a cross-country skier and medallist at the 2014 Winter Olympics
- Maren Lundby (born 1994), a successful ski jumper and gold medallist at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Twin towns – sister cities
Template:See also Gjøvik is twinned with:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Flagicon Gävle, Sweden
- Template:Flagicon Næstved, Denmark
- Template:Flagicon Rauma, Finland
- Template:Flagicon Stoughton, United States
Media gallery
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Gjøvik Municipal Hall
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Park at the Gjøvik farm
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Skibladner boathouse, Gjøvik
References
External links
- Municipal fact sheet from Statistics Norway Template:In lang
- Tourist information Template:Webarchive
- NTNU Gjøvik - University
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