Hole, Norway

Hole is a municipality in the county of Buskerud, Norway. Hole is considered as part of the traditional district of Ringerike, not to be confused with the municipality of Ringerike. Hole is located around lake Tyrifjorden and extends to the woodland around Oslo. The soil is fertile, excellent for growing fruit, berries and other agricultural products.

1 The name
2 Coat-of-arms
3 Geography
4 History
5 Recreation
6 Current events
7 Coat of Arms for Hole municipality
8 Famous people from Hole

[edit] The name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old farm Hole (Norse Hólar), since the first church was built here. The name is the plural form of hóll m 'round (and isolated) hill'.

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1985). The four crowns represent the four kings connected to the municipality: Halfdan the Black, Sigurd Syr, Saint Olaf and Harald Hardråde.

[edit] Geography

It is bordered on the north by Ringerike municipality, in the east by Bærum municipality and in the south by Lier municipality. South of the lake Tyrifjorden it also borders on Modum municipality. Most of the residents live in the villages of Sundvollen, Vik, Kroksund, Helgelandsmoen, Steinsåsen, Røyse, and Sollihøgda. Vik is the municipality’s administrative center.

From the viewpoint "Kongens utsikt" which lies on Krokskogen, there is a spectacular view of the landscape in Hole.

The main road between Oslo and Bergen, European route E16, runs through the community.

[edit] History

Hole has an extensive and important role in Norwegian history. Archeological finds from the Roman and Migration periods are numerous. Hole is also known as one of the traditional landscapes from the Viking age and plays a prominent role in the Norse sagas.

King Halfdan the Black of Vestfold conquered the Ringerike traditional district, including Hole, in about 830 AD. According to saga, when he died he was so popular that every district wanted his body. As a result his body was quartered; his head was buried in the mound at the Stein estate in Hole. Halfdan the Black’s second wife, Ragnild from Hole, was the mother of the first king of Norway, Harald I of Norway (also known as Harold Fairhair).

Saint Olaf (king of Norway from 1015 to 1028) was born in Hole, near where the 12th century Bønsnes church is located, to Harold Grenske (a grandson of Harald I of Norway) and his wife Asta. Asta later remarried to Sigurd Syr, chieftain of Hole, and had a son born there named Harold, who later became Harald III Sigurdsson (king of Norway from 1046 to 1066) (Harald Hardråda).

Frognøya and Størøya are also important historical places in Hole.

Ringerkike’s famous poet, Jørgen Moe, was brought up on the Mo (or Moe) farm in Hole. Many of the fairy tales gathered by Asbjørnsen and Moe were collected in this area.

[edit] Recreation

In Hole there are good opportunities for outdoor activities. During the winter there are numerous ski tracks, and the rest of the year hiking, boat trips, bathing and fishing are readily available.

Storøen Golf course lies along lake Tyrifjorden. It is said to be one of the finest and best courses in Norway.

[edit] Current events

The current mayor is Per Ragnvald Berger (October 18, 1952), representing Høyre, the right-wing Conservatives in a coalition with Senterpartiet and Kristelig Folkeparti. Elected for the period 2003-2007, he is in for his second period.

Måltrostlia in Kroksund: in folk terms the place is usually referred to as "Dollar Hills" (Dollar-Åsen) - mainly for its high percentage of right wing rich people. The average income of a typical inhabitant tends to be up to 12% of the standard wages in the district <!—clearly incorrect, but not obvious how to correct this… Perhaps it is intended to mean the average resident makes 12% of the average income of those on “Dollar Hills”… --->.

[edit] Coat of Arms for Hole municipality

Information about the four crowns that symbolize four of the kings that have been living in Hole.

HALVDAN SVARTE ("Halvdan The Black") who lived during the 800s got married to Ragnhild, who was the daughter of Sigurd Hjort. At that time King Sigurd Hjort was the owner of the beautiful Stein farm. The berserk * Håke initially killed Sigurd Hjort and subsequently kidnapped his daughter Ragnhild. Halvdan Svarte saved Ragnhild and married her. King Halvdan Svarte ended his life in 860 by going through the ice on Randsfjorden with his men, his horse and sledge. His body - or some part thereof - was possibly buried at Stein farm on Halvdanshaugen ("The Mound of Halvdan"). The archaeologists are very eager to further explore the interior of the burial mound.

Berserk: A special group of warriors with clothes made of bearskin, renowned for their fearlessness and wild temper.

SIGURD HALVDANSON SYR lived during the 1000s. He was the great-great grandchild of Harald Hårfagre (900-940). Although a king, Sigurd Syr was mainly interested in agricultural matters, which was quite exceptional for a king at that time. His nickname - Syr - meant: The one who is digging in the field. He was known as a peaceful and very wise man. Sigurd Syr married the widow Åsta, who had a little son - Olav - today known as Olav the Saint. Åsta and Sigurd Syr were the parents of Harald Hårdråde.

Their royal headquarters probably was at Stein - we do not know that for sure.

OLAV DEN HELLIGE (St. Olav or Olav Haraldsson) reigned from 1015 to 1030. His mother was the above-mentioned Åsta and his stepfather was King Sigurd Syr. However, Olav Haraldsson's real father was Harald Grenske, who had been killed in 995. His widow, Åsta, gave birth to Olav at the same year, but we do not know for sure if Olav was born at Harald Grenske's place in Vestfold or in Hole. Åsta returned to the home of her childhood - her father was Gudbrand Kula - and married King Sigurd Syr. Olav Haraldsson is one out of four saints in Norwegian history and world known.

The story tells that Olav and his men once were caught in a storm on Tyrifjorden. King Olav prayed to God and promised to build a church to God's honour if he could save them from the storm. A beautiful medieval church is lying on Bønsnes today, but we can not tell for sure whether the oldest part of it is dated from 11th, 12th or 13th Century.

HARALD HÅRDRÅDE reigned from 1046 to 1066 and was the half brother of Olav Haraldsson. He was born at King Syr's farm. As a king he was known for his tough rule. He was only 15 years old when he fought in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030 and experienced the death of his half brother.

The four crowns in the coat-of-arms for Hole symbolize the rich history of Hole. Even more kings have been living in the region. One of the most famous is Harald Harfargr ("Harald with the beautiful hair"), the son of Halvdan Svarte. He wowed that he would neither cut nor wash, nor comb his hair before he was the king of a united kingdom - that means the South of Norway. He eventually succeeded in his plans. At that time the Northern regions of Norway was unknown to most people.

[edit] Famous people from Hole

Jørgen Moe (1813-1842), collector of folk tales

Municipalities of Buskerud
Drammen \| Flesberg \| Flå \| Gol \| Hemsedal \| Hol \| Hole \| Hurum \| Kongsberg \| Krødsherad \| Lier \| Modum \| Nedre Eiker \| Nes \| Nore og Uvdal \| Ringerike \| Rollag \| Røyken \| Sigdal \| Øvre Eiker \| Ål