Hamar

History

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 the time of Harald Hardråde and are inscribed . 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 that Harald Hardråde initiated this move because he had property at the new site. Much of the information about medieval Hamar 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 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 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,…

Most-observed species

• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  5,329
• Great Tit

  Parus major Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  4,126
• Common Goldeneye

  Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  3,966
• Eurasian Blue Tit

  Cyanistes caeruleus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  3,805
• Yellowhammer

  Emberiza citrinella Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  3,682
• Eurasian Bullfinch

  Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  3,243
• Mew Gull

  Larus canus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  3,047
• Great Spotted Woodpecker

  Dendrocopos major (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  3,029

Most recent

• M 3.9 — 2026-04-26
  1 km SSE of Sørumsand, Norway
• M 2.9 — 2008-05-25
  4 km WSW of Åneby, Norway
• M 3.4 — 2004-04-07
  11 km N of Sand, Norway