Luster Municipality Luster kommune | |
|---|---|
| Lyster herred (historic name) | |
 View of the village of Luster | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Vestland within Norway | |
 Luster within Vestland | |
| Coordinates:61°29′38″N07°19′46″E / 61.49389°N 7.32944°E /61.49389; 7.32944 | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Vestland |
| District | Sogn |
| Established | 1 Jan 1838 |
| • Created as | Formannskapsdistrikt |
| Administrative centre | Gaupne |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2023) | Andreas Wollnick Wiese (Sp) |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,706.35 km2 (1,044.93 sq mi) |
| • Land | 2,596.82 km2 (1,002.64 sq mi) |
| • Water | 109.53 km2 (42.29 sq mi) 4% |
| • Rank | #17 in Norway |
| Highest elevation | 2,403.77 m (7,886.4 ft) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 5,432 |
| • Rank | #177 in Norway |
| • Density | 2/km2 (5.2/sq mi) |
| • Change(10 years) |  +5.5% |
| Demonym | Lustring[2] |
| Official language | |
| • Norwegian form | Nynorsk |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-4644[4] |
| Website | Official website |
Luster is amunicipality inVestlandcounty,Norway. It is located at the end of theSognefjorden in thetraditional district ofSogn. Theadministrative centre is the village ofGaupne. Other villages in Luster includeFortun,Hafslo,Indre Hafslo,Jostedal,Luster,Nes,Ornes,Skjolden,Solvorn, andVeitastrond.
Luster is centered around the inner branch of theSognefjord, which is called theLustrafjorden. Its landscape includes fjords, steep mountains, water-abundant waterfalls, blue glaciers, and valleys. BothJostedalsbreen National Park andBreheimen National Park are partially located in this municipality. TheSognefjellsvegen road goes over a mountain pass in eastern Luster.
The 2,706.35-square-kilometre (1,044.93 sq mi) municipality is the 17th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Luster Municipality is the 177th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,432. The municipality'spopulation density is 2 inhabitants per square kilometre (5.2/sq mi) and its population has increased by 5.5% during the previous 10-year period.[5][6]
In 2016, the chief of police forVestlandet formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station in Luster be closed.[7]
Theparish ofLyster was established as amunicipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistrikt law). The original municipality was identical to theChurch of Norway'sLysterprestegjeld with the parishes (sokn) ofFortun,Dale,Nes, andGaupne.[8][9]
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1963, Luster Municipality (population: 2,674) was merged withHafslo Municipality (population: 2,384) andJostedal Municipality (population: 796) forming a new, much larger Luster Municipality with 5,854 residents.[9] Since the consolidation of the three municipalities ofHafslo,Jostedal, and Luster in 1963, the area has been characterized by scattered rural settlements and large distances between these settlements. Luster Municipality was the largest municipality by area in the oldSogn og Fjordane county.
Historically, this municipality was part of the oldSogn og Fjordane county. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became a part of the newly-formedVestland county (afterHordaland andSogn og Fjordane counties were merged).[10]
The municipality (originally theparish) is named after theLustrafjorden (Old Norse:Lústr) and thevillage of Luster which grew up along the fjord. The name is derived from the wordljóss which means "light" or "bright", referring to the bright color of the water from theglaciers.[11]
Historically, the name of the municipality was spelledLyster. On 3 November 1917, aroyal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality toLuster.[12]
Thecoat of arms was granted on 20 April 1990. The officialblazon is"Azure, atilia curledargent forming anannulet" (Norwegian:På blå grunn ein sølv linderanke lagt i sirkel). This means the arms have a bluefield (background) and thecharge is atilia branch curled into a circle. The charge has atincture ofargent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The arms are inspired by an oldwoodcarving found in theUrnes Stave Church which is located in the municipality. The arms were designed by Inge Rotevatn from Nordfjordeid. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[13][14][15]
TheChurch of Norway has eight parishes (sokn) within Luster Municipality. It is part of theSogn prosti (deanery) in theDiocese of Bjørgvin.[16]
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dale | Dale Church | Luster | 1250 |
| Fet og Joranger | Fet Church | Fet | 1894 |
| Joranger Church | Joranger | 1660 | |
| Fortun | Fortun Church | Fortun | 1879 |
| Gaupne | Gaupne Church | Gaupne | 1908 |
| Old Gaupne Church | 1647 | ||
| Hafslo | Hafslo Church | Hafslo | 1878 |
| Veitastrond Chapel | Veitastrond | 1928 | |
| Jostedal | Jostedal Church | Jostedal | 1660 |
| Nes | Nes Church | Nes | 1909 |
| Solvorn | Solvorn Church | Solvorn | 1883 |
| Urnes Stave Church | Ornes | 1130 |
Luster Municipality is responsible forprimary education (through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizen services,welfare and othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroads and utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal council ofdirectly elected representatives. Themayor isindirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[17] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theSogn og Fjordane District Court and theGulating Court of Appeal.
Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Luster Municipality is made up of 25 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty.
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 8 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 13 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 13 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 8 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 10 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 12 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 17 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Joint list of theConservative Party(Høgre),Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti), andCentre Party (Senterpartiet) | 11 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 15 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 18 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Local list for Hafslo(Bygdalista for Hafslo) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 16 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Local list for Hafslo(Bygdalista for Hafslo) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 16 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Local list for Hafslo(Bygdalista for Hafslo) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 14 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Local list for Hafslo(Bygdalista for Hafslo) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 17 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Cross-party common list(Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 16 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgarlege Felleslister) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 15 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 16 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgarlege Felleslister) | 19 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 37 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 12 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Note: On 1 January 1963,Hafslo Municipality andJostedal Municipality both became part of Luster Municipality. | ||
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 11 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 17 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 7 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgarlege Felleslister) | 12 | |
| Total number of members: | 36 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 16 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 6 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgarlege Felleslister) | 10 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 36 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
| List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders(Arbeidarar, fiskarar, småbrukarar liste) | 11 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgarlege Felleslister) | 8 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 11 | |
| Total number of members: | 36 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 18 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Joint list of theFarmers' Party (Bondepartiet) and theLiberal Party (Venstre) | 6 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgarlege Felleslister) | 2 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 36 | |
| Note: Due to theGerman occupation of Norway duringWorld War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. | ||
Themayor (Nynorsk:ordførar) of Luster 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:[37]
Luster, one of the largest municipalities in southern Norway, is located in the glacial mountains where theSognefjorden begins its path to theNorth Sea. The fjord is fed by many large glaciers such as theHarbardsbreen,Holåbreen,Jostedalsbreen,Nigardsbreen,Spørteggbreen, and others.[39]
It is bordered by four municipalities inVestland county:Stryn Municipality to the north,Sunnfjord Municipality to the west,Sogndal Municipality to the southwest, andÅrdal Municipality to the southeast. It is also bordered by three municipalities inInnlandet county:Skjåk Municipality to the northeast and byLom Municipality andVang Municipality to the east.
With a vertical drop of 218 metres (715 ft), the Feigumfoss Waterfall is one of the highest inScandinavia.[40]
TheHurrungane,Breheimen, andJotunheimen mountains cover parts of the municipality. The highest point in the municipality is the 2,403.77-metre (7,886.4 ft) tall mountainStoren.[1] Storen is also the third highest mountain peak inNorway and it is located on the southern border of Luster Municipality andÅrdal Municipality. It is part of theHurrungane mountain range which contains some of the most alpine peaks in Norway.
| Mountain | Height | Mountain | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storen | 2,405 m (7,890 ft) | Store Dyrhaugstinden | 2,147 m (7,044 ft) |
| Styggedalstindane | 2,387 m (7,831 ft) | Mjølkedalstinden | 2,137 m (7,011 ft) |
| Gjertvasstinden | 2,351 m (7,713 ft) | Store Ringstind | 2,124 m (6,969 ft) |
| Sentraltind | 2,351 m (7,713 ft) | Tverrådalskyrkja | 2,088 m (6,850 ft) |
| Vetle Skagastølstindane | 2,340 m (7,680 ft) | Lodalskåpa | 2,083 m (6,834 ft) |
| Midtre Skagastølstindane | 2,284 m (7,493 ft) | Soleibotntindane | 2,083 m (6,834 ft) |
| Store Austanbottstind | 2,203 m (7,228 ft) | Søre Dyrhaugstinden | 2,072 m (6,798 ft) |
| Store Rauddalseggje | 2,168 m (7,113 ft) | Fannaråki | 2,068 m (6,785 ft) |
| Rauddalstindane | 2,157 m (7,077 ft) | Stetinden | 2,020 m (6,630 ft) |
| Uranostinden | 2,157 m (7,077 ft) | Brenibba | 2,018 m (6,621 ft) |
There are notable lakes such asVeitastrondsvatnet,Austdalsvatnet,Styggevatnet, Tunsbergdalvatnet,Prestesteinsvatnet, andHafslovatnet. There are also many big waterfalls such as theFeigumfoss waterfall at 218 metres (715 ft) tall. The riverJostedøla runs through the Jostedal valley and empties into the fjord at Gaupne.
TheJostedalsbreen glacier (including the arm calledNigardsbreen) is the biggestglacier in continentalEurope, the highest point on it isHøgste Breakulen. It is located west ofJostedal, north ofGaupne, inJostedalsbreen National Park, much of which is located in the municipality of Luster.[40] Other glaciers include theAusterdalsbreen,Harbardsbreen andSpørteggbreen.
The inhabitants of Luster make their living by farming, growing berries and fruit,tourism, andhydroelectricity. Jøstedal and Fortun have large hydroelectric power stations, and a 107 GWh pumped-storage plant is underway at Illvatn lake.[41] Summer tourism is quite busy. Tourist activities include mountain climbing, skiing, fishing, hiking, and hunting.[40] TheSognefjellsvegen tourist road passes through Luster.
Fishing permits (for salmon fishing) are sold for use on specific rivers, including Årøy-elva.[42]
Urnes Stave Church was built around 1150 and isNorway's oldestStave church. The Church lies majestically on the top of Urnes. The Stave church is one of four Norwegian Churches onUNESCO`s list of the most precious cultural monuments in the world.
TheStave churches are constructions of high quality, richly decorated with carvings. In virtually all of them the door frames are decorated from top to bottom with carvings. This tradition of rich ornamentation appears to go back to the animal carvings of the Viking age. The dragons are lovingly executed and transformed into long-limbed creatures of fantasy, here and there entwined with tendrils of vine, with winding stems and serrated leaves. The elaborate designs are executed with supreme artistic skill. The stave church doorways are, therefore, among the most distinctive works of art to be found in Norway. However, it is difficult to connect them with theChristian gospel.[40]
TheOld Gaupne Church is a magnificent church that was built in 1647 on a hill directly opposite theGaupne village centre.[40]
Dale Church is a stone church that was built in gothic style in the year 1250.[40]
TheBreheim Center contains a comprehensive exhibition. A journey through 20,000 years - from theIce age to the present day, an audio/visual show takes visitors inside the glacier. Glacier boatM/S "Jostedalsrypa" crosses the Nigard Glacier Lake. There are internationally approved guides, glacier and climbing courses, and ski-trips.[40]
In 2020, 32% of the municipality's applicants for [secondary schooling]videregående skole, sought [non-vocational schooling],studiespesialisering; [67% or] the rest of the applicants soughtvocational schooling.[43]
Luster hassister city agreements with the following places:
Definitions from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
Travel guides from Wikivoyage
Data from WikidataPlaces adjacent to Luster Municipality | ||||||||||||||||
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