Sel Municipality Sel kommune | |
|---|---|
| Sell herred (historic name) | |
View of the town of Otta | |
Innlandet within Norway | |
Sel within Innlandet | |
| Coordinates:61°49′1″N9°34′24″E / 61.81694°N 9.57333°E /61.81694; 9.57333 | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Innlandet |
| District | Gudbrandsdal |
| Established | 1 Jan 1908 |
| • Preceded by | Vaage Municipality |
| Administrative centre | Otta |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2019) | Eldri Siem (Sp) |
| Area | |
• Total | 905.04 km2 (349.44 sq mi) |
| • Land | 888.48 km2 (343.04 sq mi) |
| • Water | 16.56 km2 (6.39 sq mi) 1.8% |
| • Rank | #130 in Norway |
| Highest elevation | 2,138.65 m (7,016.6 ft) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 5,623 |
| • Rank | #171 in Norway |
| • Density | 6.2/km2 (16/sq mi) |
| • Change(10 years) | |
| Demonym | Selvær[2] |
| Official language | |
| • Norwegian form | Neutral |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-3437[4] |
| Website | Official website |
Sel is amunicipality inInnlandet county,Norway. It is located in thetraditional district ofGudbrandsdal. Theadministrative centre of the municipality is thetown ofOtta. The municipality also includes several notable villages includingBjølstadmo,Dale,Høvringen,Nord-Sel,Sandbumoen,Sjoa, andSkogbygda.
The 905-square-kilometre (349 sq mi) municipality is the 130th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Sel Municipality is the 171st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,623. The municipality'spopulation density is 6.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (16/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 3.6% over the previous 10-year period.[5][6]
The new municipality of Sel was established on 1 January 1908 when the largeVaage Municipality was divided into three separate municipalities:[7]
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1965, the following areas were merged to form a new, larger Sel Municipality:[7]
Historically, this municipality was part of the oldOppland county. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became a part of the newly-formedInnlandet county (afterHedmark andOppland counties were merged).[8]


The municipality (originally theparish) is named after the oldSel farm (Old Norse:Sil) since the firstSel Church was built there. This farm is located in the present-day village ofNord-Sel. The name is identical with the wordsil which means "slowly running and quiet part of a river" (here meaning theGudbrandsdalslågen river).[9]
Thecoat of arms was approved on 18 May 1985, but it was never approved by a royal decree because it did not meet the strict rules for coats of arms at that time. Theblazon is"Azure, a girl playing a trumpetOr". This means the arms have a bluefield (background) and thecharge is a girl playing a trumpet. The charge has atincture ofOr which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The design is based on the localPrillar-Gurilegend. In 1612, aScottish army marched through the area on its way toSweden. They were stopped by the local farmers at theBattle of Kringen. The legend tells that the farmers were warned for the Scots by a local girl with atrumpet. The arms were designed by Jarle Skuseth. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[10][11][12]
TheChurch of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within Sel Municipality. It is part of theNord-Gudbrandsdal prosti (deanery) in theDiocese of Hamar.
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heidal | Heidal Church | Bjølstadmo | 1941 |
| Nord-Sel | Nord-Sel Church | Nord-Sel | 1932 |
| Sel | Sel Church | Selsverket (just north ofOtta) | 1742 |
| Sjoa Chapel | Sjoa | 1978 |
Sel 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.[13] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theGudbrandsdal District Court and theEidsivating Court of Appeal.
Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Sel 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 Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 13 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
| Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 15 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 15 | |
| Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 15 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 15 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 18 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Local list(Bygdalista) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 4 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 19 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 20 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 19 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 21 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 20 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 21 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 31 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 6 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 1 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 2 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 3 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 16 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 3 | |
| Joint list of theLiberal Party(Venstre) and theRadical People's Party(Radikale Folkepartiet) | 2 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 16 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 16 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre) and theFarmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 5 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 16 | |
| 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 (Norwegian:ordfører) of Sel 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:[35]
| Ancestry | Number |
|---|---|
| 57 | |
| 43 | |
| 38 | |
| 35 | |
| 25 | |
| 19 | |
| 16 |

Sel Municipality is bordered on the north byDovre Municipality andVågå Municipality, and on the south byNord-Fron Municipality. To the northeast it is bordered byFolldal Municipality. Large parts of the very first national park in Norway,Rondane National Park is situated in Sel Municipality and has its main entrances from the mountain villages ofHøvringen and Mysuseter. TheJutulhogget canyon is located in the park. The highest point in the municipality is the 2,138.65-metre (7,016.6 ft) tall mountainStorronden.[1]
Although it has a small population, Sel Municipality is one of the more scenic and historically significant areas of theGudbrandsdalen valley. A large concentration of Norway's heritage-listed farms are located in theHeidal valley in Sel Municipality (Heidal Municipality became part of Sel Municipality in 1965).
The town ofOtta, named after theOtta River, is the main population center in the municipality. Otta lies at the point where the Otta River joins theGudbrandsdalslågen river from the west. The Otta River leads up to the historically important Vågå andLom regions and the passes to the west into theJotunheimen mountain range.[42]