Levanger Municipality Levanger kommune Levangken tjïelte | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Trøndelag within Norway | |
 Levanger within Trøndelag | |
| Coordinates:63°39′17″N11°15′37″E / 63.65472°N 11.26028°E /63.65472; 11.26028 | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Trøndelag |
| District | Innherred |
| Established | 1 Jan 1838 |
| • Created as | Formannskapsdistrikt |
| Administrative centre | Levanger |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2019) | Anita Ravlo Sand (Sp) |
| Area | |
• Total | 645.80 km2 (249.34 sq mi) |
| • Land | 609.74 km2 (235.42 sq mi) |
| • Water | 36.06 km2 (13.92 sq mi) 5.6% |
| • Rank | #174 in Norway |
| Highest elevation | 735.35 m (2,412.6 ft) |
| Population (2024) | |
• Total | 20,574 |
| • Rank | #64 in Norway |
| • Density | 31.9/km2 (83/sq mi) |
| • Change(10 years) |  +7.1% |
| Demonym | Levangsbygg[2] |
| Official language | |
| • Norwegian form | Neutral |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-5037[4] |
| Website | Official website |
Levanger (Norwegian) orLevangke (Southern Sami)[5] is amunicipality inTrøndelagcounty,Norway. It is part of the district ofInnherred. Theadministrative centre of the municipality is thetown of Levanger. Some of the notable villages in the municipality includeAlstadhaug,Ekne,Hokstad,Markabygda,Momarka,Mule,Nesset,Okkenhaug,Ronglan,Skogn, andÅsen.
Thetown of Levanger lies at the mouth of theLevangselva river along theTrondheimsfjord. One of the main roads through the town isKirkegata. The 5-square-kilometre (1.9 sq mi) town has a population (2024) of 10,813, meaning about half the municipal residents live in the town.[6] The town has held "town status" as of 1997 and houses a campus of theNord University as of 2016.
The 646-square-kilometre (249 sq mi) municipality is the 174th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Levanger Municipality is the 64th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 20,574. The municipality'spopulation density is 31.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (83/sq mi) and its population has increased by 7.1% over the previous 10-year period.[7][8]
Levanger is a member of the Italian initiative,Cittaslow, forslow towns that don't adopt a "fast-lane" approach that is so common in most modern towns.
Thetown of Levanger (Norwegian:kjøpstad) was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistrikt law). Under the law, the town and the surrounding rural areas were supposed to be separate municipalities, but due to the low population of the town, this did not happen right away. In 1856, thetown of Levanger (population: 1,017) and the rural areas surrounding the town (population: 2,290) were separated and the rural area became the rural municipality ofLevanger landsogn (the name was later changed toFrol Municipality). On 13 November 1951, a small area ofFrol Municipality (population: 51) was transferred to the town of Levanger.[9]
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee.[9]
On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the oldNord-Trøndelag county to the newTrøndelag county.
The municipality (originally theparish) is named after the oldLevanger farm (Old Norse:Lifangr) since the firstLevanger Church was built there. The first element isLif which means "sheltered". The last element isangr which means "fjord".[10]
On 16 February 2024, the national government approved a resolution to add a co-equal, officialSami language name for the municipality:Levangke.[11] The spelling of the Sami language name changes depending on how it is used. It is calledLevangke when it is spelled alone, but it isLevangken tjïelte when using the Sami language equivalent to "Levanger Municipality".[5]
Thecoat of arms was granted on 25 November 1960 as the arms of thetown of Levanger.[12] In 1962, the town was enlarged when three neighboring municipalities were merged with the town, creating a new, larger municipality of Levanger. The old arms of the town were adopted as the arms of the new municipality on 26 March 1965 (the old arms were chosen since none of the other municipalities had their own coats of arms).[13] The officialblazon is"Gules, a horseat bayOr" (Norwegian:På rød bunn en stående gull hest). This means the arms have a redfield (background) and thecharge is ahorse. The horse has atincture ofOr which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The horse is a symbol for the town as a major trading center betweenSweden and Norway for many centuries. The arms were designed byHallvard Trætteberg.[14][15]
TheChurch of Norway has seven parishes (sokn) within Levanger Municipality. It is part of theSør-Innherad prosti (deanery) in theDiocese of Nidaros.
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alstadhaug | Alstadhaug Church | Alstadhaug | c. 1180 |
| Ekne | Ekne Church | Ekne | 1893 |
| Levanger | Levanger Church | Levanger | 1902 |
| Bamberg Church | Nesset | 1998 | |
| Markabygd | Markabygda Church | Markabygda | 1887 |
| Okkenhaug | Okkenhaug Church | Okkenhaug | 1893 |
| Ytterøy | Ytterøy Church | Ytterøya | 1890 |
| Åsen | Åsen Church | Åsen | 1904 |
Levanger can probably be traced back to theIron Age, and with certainty back to theViking Age. Alvshaugen (from theOld Norse wordhaugr meaning mound) is a large burial mound located in the middle of the cemetery atAlstadhaug Church. The burial mound has been dated to 300–600 CE. It is about 40 metres (130 ft) in diameter, and about 5 to 6 metres (16 to 20 ft) tall.[16]
The name "Levanger" is listed inGunnlaugs saga ormstungu. The historic town site was located in a place somewhat different from the current town center, probably in relation to theHalsstein bygdeborg (hill fort). In theMiddle Ages, the area now part of the municipality of Levanger was part of the county ofSkeyna in thetraditional district ofInnherred. The county was ruled byearls who resided at the manor ofGeite, situated on a hill nearby the present town. The county was divided into six parishes:Ekne,Alstadhaug, Levanger,Frol,Ytterøy, andLeksvik. The county church wasAlstadhaug Church, which also contained thefylking, while Levanger was the main port andmarket town. Not much is known about the earls of Skeyna, as few documents still exist that document their existence. TheReformation and theDanish occupation of Norway in 1537 caused theNorwegian nobility to disintegrate, and the last earl was most likely executed during the Reformation. The Danish rulers united Skeyna with four other counties in Innherred, creating the county ofSteinvikholm. Later, the Levanger area was part ofTrondhjems amt which was later divided inNordre Trondhjems amt. That was later renamedNord-Trøndelag fylke. On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the oldNord-Trøndelag county to the newTrøndelag county.
Thetown of Levanger was founded by KingCharles XIV John of Sweden on 18 May 1836 as akjøpstad, on the site where the village of Levanger already existed. The village had expanded from the traditional winterfair, known as themarsimartnan (lit.the St. Marcus Market of Levanger), dating back to the 13th century. In October 1836, as the town's borders set,CommissionerMons Lie proposed that "the town shall bear the name ofCarlslevanger, so the name of this ancient soil can be united with that of the new town's glorious founder". Despite the suggestion's being refused, the town protocols spoke ofCarlslevanger Stad instead ofKjøpstaden Levanger until 1838. In 1838, theformannskapsdistrikt law classified this town as aladested or port town.
The inhabitants of Levanger were not prepared for becoming a town, and so it took a long time before the town was constituted. In these early days the town was ruled by theFoged (Royal rural administrator). At that time there were already established a trade organization, "Levangerpatrisiatet", from 1695, based on the market. But only citizens ofTrondheim could be members, until Levanger became a town in its own right. In 1839, the firstguild of the town was established, and in the following years several new trades and craftsmen settled in the town.
In 1841, the first official elections were held, andHans Nicolai Grønn was elected the first mayor of the town. Two years later, the town got its first water-pipe system, its first two primitive street lamps and a town hall.
The fire-security report of 1844 clearly confirmed the great risk of disastrous fire in the town's narrow lanes; all houses were wooden houses. Therefore, the mayor hired Major Johannes Mathias Sejersted (1797–1886) to make a general report and draw up a new regulation plan, showing Levanger as a more "continental" town. And already in 1846, two years later the town was nearly totally ruined by a great fire. Sejersted's regulation plan was used when the town was rebuilt. Levanger was damaged by two great fires after that time, in 1877 and 1897, but each time the town has been rebuilt as a wooden town, and still today most houses are wooden houses.[17]
Throughout the 19th century, the famous market's economical importance faded out, and the ancient arrangement was reduced to a tradition without much content. That was the end of Levanger as an important port of foreign trade between Sweden and Norway. However, in the early 20th century, the town of Levanger was pleased by new establishments such as county hospital and college of education. The German occupation in 1940 was the beginning of a 40-year-long "interregnum" of the traditional "Marsimartnan".
In 1961, the town of Levanger decided to merge with its neighbors. On 1 January 1962,Frol Municipality,Skogn Municipality, andÅsen Municipality were merged with Levanger, and at the same time, it lost its "town status". The neighboringYtterøy Municipality was merged with Levanger two years later.
Over thirty years later, in 1997, as a result of the resurrection of the "Marsimartnan" in 1989, the town of Levanger was re-established, though the town still is part of Levanger municipality. But the center of administration is to be found in the town of Levanger, which is also, in historical terms, the administrative basis for the municipality. And Levanger's town traditions and culture go way back. The town is laid out according to an urban and regulated plot with proper streets such asKirkegata. It's more than just a town hall and a city square. In fact, Levanger's always been a town, though not always officially, and every inhabitant in the town area carries this piece of knowledge with pride. Thus there does exist a sense of distinction between town people and the people from the countryside.
In 2002, Levanger joined theCittaslow movement, although there have been some violations of the Cittaslow charter, of which can be mentioned the construction of the unharmonic new mini mall in Sjøgata, down by the seaside. This mini mall includes two grocery stores and several electrical appliances stores[citation needed].
Levanger 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.[18] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theTrøndelag District Court and theFrostating Court of Appeal.
Themunicipal council (Kommunestyre) of Levanger Municipality is made up of 35 representatives that are elected every four years. 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 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 6 | |
| Industry and Business Party(Industri‑ og Næringspartiet) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Pensioners' Party(Pensjonistpartiet) | 1 | |
| Red Party(Rødt) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 35 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Red Party(Rødt) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 11 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 35 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 35 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 35 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 4 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 35 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 6 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 35 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 7 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 15 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 6 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 15 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 20 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 7 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 5 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 4 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 22 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 8 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 20 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 7 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| New People's Party(Nye Folkepartiet) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 6 | |
| Independents List(Uavhengig liste) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 19 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| New People's Party(Nye Folkepartiet) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 13 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Independents List(Uavhengig liste) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 23 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 12 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 6 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Socialist common list(Venstresosialistiske felleslister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 23 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 11 | |
| Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 6 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 24 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 12 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 53 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 8 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 20 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 6 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 20 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 20 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Free-minded People's Party(Frisinnede Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 4 | |
| Total number of members: | 20 | |
| 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. | ||
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
| Free-minded People's Party(Frisinnede Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Nasjonal Samling Party(Nasjonal Samling) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 20 | |
 |
Themayor (Norwegian:ordfører) of Levanger 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:[39][40]
The world's largest paper-producing company,Norske Skog, built itsfirst ever factory inSkogn, south of the town of Levanger. This factory started production in 1966, is working today, and it provides 530 jobs at the plant, and an additional 1,900 jobs in transportation andforestry. Levanger encompasses some of the best agricultural areas inTrøndelag. TheFiborgtangen industrial area is located inSkogn and has freight access to theNordland Line.
Most of the town's commercial area is concentrated around the main street, calledKirkegata (Church Street), and in more recent years around the shopping mall Magneten, located at the suburban area of Moan. Magneten has since its beginning faced rapid growth, and several stores earlier located in Kirkegata have now moved to Moan and/or Magneten. TheInntrøndelag District Court is also located in the town. TheLevanger Hospital and theNord University also are major employers in the municipality.
The main street of the town of Levanger has roads connecting to theE6 highway at both ends and theNorwegian County Road 774 at the north end which connects to theLevanger–Hokstad Ferry, which regularly runs between the town of Levanger and the island ofYtterøya in theTrondheimsfjord.
TheNordland Line runs to the north through the municipality. It stops at the following stations:Åsen Station,HiNT Station,Ronglan Station,Skogn Station, andLevanger Station. The train used to stop atLevanger Hospital at theInnherred Sykehus Station, but that station is now closed.
The municipality is located in theInnherred region ofTrøndelag county. It lies on the eastern shore of theTrondheimsfjord and it includes the island ofYtterøya. There are many lakes in the municipality, includingByavatnet,Feren,Hammervatnet,Hoklingen,Movatnet, andSønningen. TheLevangselva river runs through the municipality. TheRinnleiret beach area lies on the Levanger–Verdal border. The highest point in the municipality is the 735.35-metre (2,412.6 ft) tall mountain Hårskallen.[1]
Definitions from Wiktionary
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Travel guides from Wikivoyage
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