Kongsvinger

Kongsvinger is situated on both sides of the river Glomma, where the south-going river takes a sharp north-westward turn. The Kongsvinger Fortress is the main landmark, situated on a hill west and north of the river. Kongsvinger is a regional center of the Glåmdal region, which is made up of the southern parts of Hedmark county. It is bordered to the West by Sør-Odal, to the North by Grue, and to the south by Eidskog. To the east it borders Sweden.

1 The name
2 Coat-of-arms
3 History
4 Subdivisions
5 Major sights in Kongsvinger
6 Kongsvinger notabilities

[edit] The name

The last element Vinger (Norse Vingr m) is an old district name. The meaning is unknown, but maybe 'something bent'. (The river Glomma is passing in a very marked curve here.)

The first element Kongs- ('the King's') was added after the fortress was built in 1690. (See under.)

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from 1926. It shows Kongsvinger Fortress - and the white line is meant to represent the river Glomma.

[edit] History

Kongsvinger already existed as a trading center by the middle ages, due to the accessibility by natural waterways. Viking chieftains reached Sweden by boat from Kongsvinger. Kongsvinger fortress was founded in 1669, and a star-shaped plan was laid out for the fortress. Work began in 1682 and it was finished in 1690 as part of a general upgrade to Norwegian fortresses. Today, Øvrebyen, the old uptown area around the fortress is dominated by wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, laid out in the typical right angle square plan - by architect Cicignon - popular in this period.

In 1964 Kongsvinger and the surrounding municipalities Vinger and Brandval were united into the present Kongsvinger Municipality. Kongsvinger has city status (from 1854), and is thereby both city and township, governed by a town council under a mayor, elected by popular vote. There are also appointed executive officials, such as town commissioner or town director (rådmann), who is chief executive of the city/municipality, and its 700 plus workforce. There are 1,530 businesses including forestry and farming, and 245 of these are retail outlets. There are 25,000 square metres (300,000 square feet) of mall situated in the downtown area. As well as downtown shopping streets, there are also glass domed pedestrian shopping streets. The governmental regional hospital is also situated in Kongsvinger.

From 1983 to 1999 Kongsvinger's soccer team Kongsvinger I.L. held a position in the Norwegian Premier league. It made some notable merits participating in the European Cup and winning a silver medal during the 1992 season.

[edit] Subdivisions

Digerudlia
Gjemselund
Glåmlia
Hexumløkka
Holt
Kurudlia
Langeland
Langerudberget
Midtbyen
Rasta
Skriverskogen
Stasjonssida
Tråstad
Vangen
Vennersberg
Øvrebyen

[edit] Major sights in Kongsvinger

Kongsvinger Fortress,
National Women's Museum
Øvrebyen (i.e. "Upper Town").

[edit] Kongsvinger notabilities

Håvard Gimse (1966–), pianist
Levi Henriksen (1964–), writer
Dagny Juel (1867–1901), poet
Monica Kristensen Solås (1950–), polar adventurer
Åse Wisløff Nilssen (1945–), politician
Even Pellerud (1953–), soccer player and coach
Bjørge Stensbøl, former chief of top-level athletics Olympiatoppen
Tove Strand (1946–), politician
Sverre Strandli (1925–), hammer-thrower
Erik Werenskiold (1855–1938), painter and illustrator
Thomas Strømstad 1972, writer and politician

Municipalities of Hedmark
Alvdal \| Eidskog \| Elverum \| Engerdal \| Folldal \| Grue \| Hamar \| Kongsvinger \| Løten \| Nord-Odal \| Os \| Rendalen \| Ringsaker \| Stange \| Stor-Elvdal \| Sør-Odal \| Tolga \| Trysil \| Tynset \| Våler \| Åmot \| Åsnes