Elverum is a municipality in Østerdalen in the Inland. Elverum
borders the municipalities of Åmot in the north, Trysil in the
northeast, Våler in the south and Løten in the west.
Elverum
municipality covers 1229 km² and large parts of this are covered by
forest.
There are 21,086 inhabitants in Elverum municipality,
of which 15,248 live in the municipal center Elverum as of 1 January
2017. The municipality has had a steady growth in the population
throughout the post-war period. Population growth is due in
particular to increased public services, through Sykehuset
Innlandet, Høgskolen i Innlandet and the Armed Forces.
Elverum Municipality is located in Innlandet county (formerly
Hedmark), in the traditional district of Østerdalen in eastern Norway.
It sits at the southern end of the broad Østerdalen valley, divided by
the Glomma (Glåma) river. The administrative center is the town of
Elverum, with coordinates approximately 60°53′N 11°34′E.
It borders
Åmot to the north, Trysil to the northeast (near the Swedish border),
Våler to the south, and Løten to the west. The municipality spans a
total area of 1,229 km² (land 1,209 km², water 20 km² or ~1.6%), ranking
as the 87th largest in Norway. Population density is low at about 18
inhabitants per km² (total pop. ~21,900).
The terrain transitions
from flat to gently rolling valley floors (ideal for agriculture in
southern areas like Heradsbygda and Jømna) to extensive forests, mires,
hills, and low mountains, especially eastward and northward. The Glomma
river flows north-to-south, dropping from ~200 m to 170 m above sea
level within the municipality.
Average elevation is around 407 m,
with a range from ~153–846 m (sources vary slightly on max). The highest
point is Raskiftet (807.8 m) at a tripoint border with Åmot and Trysil
in the northeast. Other notable elevations include Grasberget (778 m),
Nordhue (767–772 m, a prominent ridge feature), Skallberget (746 m), and
several others between 670–800 m, mainly in the eastern and northern
highlands. Lower hills like Flotsberget (605 m) and Stavåsen (370 m) are
popular for hiking.
The landscape features broad valley bottoms with
sand/gravel deposits (from river action and glacial activity), flanked
by forested ridges and plateaus. Eastern parts are more rugged with
steep hills toward the watershed; western ridges bound the valley. Much
of the area consists of forest and mire between ridges.
Hydrology
dominates the geography. Nearly the entire municipality (99.5%) lies
within the Glomma river catchment (Norway's longest river); only a tiny
0.5% drains eastward to the Klarälven-Vänern system via the Hølja river.
The Glomma is the central landscape element, dividing Elverum and
supporting floodplains, agriculture, and transport historically.
Major tributaries (mostly originating in eastern forests and mires)
include the Flisa (with Ulvåa; one of the longer ones at ~127 km total),
Kynna (source mires on Høgknøsen), Julussa, Jømna (with Horna), Hasla,
Halåa, Hølja, Vesleflisa, Bronkåa/Terninga, and others. These contribute
to the river system feeding into or paralleling the Glomma.
Lakes are
numerous but mostly small forest/mire lakes formed during the last Ice
Age. The largest fully or partially within Elverum: Stor-Bronken (2.34
km²), Kynnsjøen (1.23 km²), Ryssjøen (0.82 km²), Lisjøen (0.74 km²),
Bergesjøen (0.57 km²), and smaller ones like Høljesjøen, Rensjøen, etc.
Rokosjøen (technically larger at ~3.77 km²) has only a tiny portion in
the municipality. Popular spots include Sagtjernet in the north.
Geology features Precambrian basement rocks (grunnfjell, often gneiss or
similar) as the dominant bedrock, with northern highlands featuring
sparagmite (Proterozoic metasedimentary quartzite/sandstone). Small
pockets of Cambrian-Silurian sedimentary rocks occur near boundaries.
Quaternary deposits are prominent: glaciofluvial sand and gravel in
valley bottoms (supporting agriculture and local construction/cement
industries), glacial till, river alluvium on floodplains, and evidence
of glacial lake/outburst flood history.
Climate is inland continental
(hemiboreal/subarctic influence, Köppen Dfb/Dfc), sheltered by mountains
but with cold winters, warm summers, significant diurnal temperature
swings in summer, and relatively low precipitation for Norway. Town
elevation ~190 m.
From 1961–1990 normals (mean temperatures): January
−10.0°C, July 15.0°C; annual mean ~2.7°C; annual precipitation ~670 mm
(wetter in summer, drier winter). Monthly means rise from −10°C (Jan) to
15°C (Jul), with lows around −10°C in winter and highs to ~20°C in
summer.
Detailed highs/lows (approximate °C equivalents from data):
January high −3°C/low −10°C; July high ~20°C/low ~11°C; warm season
May–Sep (highs >15–16°C); cold season Nov–Mar. Precipitation peaks
August (~91 mm), lowest February (~13 mm); wet days most in July.
Snowfall significant Oct–May, heaviest January (~26 cm). Mostly cloudy
year-round (cloudiest Nov ~72%, clearer Jul ~48% clear/partly). Low
humidity (no muggy days), light winds ~7 km/h avg (south predominant).
Growing season ~129 days (mid-May to mid-Sep); extreme daylight
variation (summer solstice ~19h, winter ~5.5h).
Vegetation and
natural features: Forests cover vast areas of the municipality, earning
Elverum the nickname "skogshovedstaden" (forest capital of Eastern
Norway/Østlandet). Boreal coniferous forests (pine, spruce, birch)
predominate, supporting rich wildlife (birds, game animals—owl in coat
of arms symbolizes this) and activities like hiking, hunting, fishing.
Mires/wetlands are common, especially east. Cultural landscapes
(farmland) concentrate on river deposits in the valley.
There are 12
nature reserves, often small: old-growth forests (e.g., Hakaskallen),
wetlands (Ulvåkjølen), Glomma floodplains (Ytterøya), and stream
canyons/gorges (Bronkeberget, Korpreiret). The area offers extensive
recreational wilderness.
Prehistory, Early Settlements, and Viking Age
Before Germanic
agricultural settlers arrived, the area was inhabited by Sami (Elgsamer)
people who relied on hunting, fishing (especially elk), and trap pits;
Sami presence extended to the Elverum area, with a grave mound at nearby
Rena dating to the Middle Ages. They gradually retreated
northward/upward as farming expanded.
Farming settlements began
around the 1st century AD in Heradsbygda (considered the first stable
agricultural area in Østerdalen), likely by migrants from Hedmarken via
ancient routes. "Hov" farm names (e.g., Storhov, Lillehov, Hovin in
Hernes) indicate pre-Christian pagan cult or gathering sites.
During
the Viking Age (c. 800–1050 AD), permanent settlements existed in
Heradsbygda, Hernes, and Strandbygda, evidenced by numerous burial
mounds, tools, and artifacts. Legends link Saint Olav (Olav den hellige)
to a feast in Heradsbygda hosted by Raud and Ragnhild. Østerhaug farm is
described in local lore as a chieftain's seat or small kingdom center;
mounds are said to hold "King Håkon on Østerhaug" (killed in battle) and
his daughter "Ragnhild the Fair." A Viking Age two-edged sword was found
at Houm farm.
The first church was built at the Elverum farm,
establishing the parish.
Early Modern Period: Markets, Fortress,
and Military Role
Elverum emerged as an important village and trading
post. The Grundset market (Grundsetmart'n), recorded from the 17th
century (with privileges granted in 1765 to the Gaarder owner for events
~6 miles north), became Norway's largest and most famous market by 1767,
drawing traders and celebrants from Gudbrandsdal, Oslo, Trøndelag, and
Sweden for a week in March. It operated for nearly 300 years until
abandoned around 1901 due to railways and competing markets.
Military
significance grew with the Nordic Seven Years' War (1563–1570):
Norwegian troops halted a Swedish invasion into Østerdalen at Elverum in
1563. The Oppland Regiment formed in 1657, establishing Elverum as a
garrison; the east side (Leiret, "the camp") developed with soldiers,
merchants, and craftsmen.
Fortifications began in 1673 as Hammersberg
Skanse (or Terningen skanse) on the west bank during the Gyldenløve
War/Scanian War, part of a network from Halden northward. King Christian
V renamed it Christiansfjeld Fortress during a 14 June 1685 visit; it
housed up to 1,000 men in 1689, remained active through the Great
Northern War (spared major battles), closed in 1742, briefly reactivated
1811–1815, and was decommissioned.
19th Century to Early 20th
Century Growth
The municipality formed in 1838 (borders largely
unchanged). In 1878, Terningmoen became the Oppland Regiment's home base
on the west side (Vestad area, now also hosting industrial zones and the
railway junction of Rørosbanen and Solørbanen); an infantry school
opened in 1896. The regiment participated in various conflicts and was
disbanded in 2002, with the site now used by army subunits and the Home
Guard.
The wooden cruciform Elverum Church (built 1736, inaugurated
1738; restored 1937–1938) and other institutions (hospital, later
university) developed in Leiret. Economy centered on agriculture,
forestry, trade, and military-related commerce.
World War II: The
Elverum Authorization, King's "No," and Bombing
Elverum played a
pivotal role during the German invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung)
on 9 April 1940. The royal family, Cabinet, and Storting evacuated Oslo
to avoid capture and convened in the Elverum/Hamar area.
At Elverum
Folk High School, King Haakon VII famously refused Germany's demand to
surrender or appoint Vidkun Quisling as prime minister—known as the
King's "No" (Kongens nei). The Storting held its last free sessions (in
Hamar and Elverum) and unanimously passed the Elverum Authorization
(Elverumsfullmakta) on 9 April 1940. This emergency measure (invoking an
expansive interpretation of constitutional Section 17) granted the
Cabinet temporary absolute authority to act on behalf of the Storting
and government to protect national interests until parliament could
reconvene, ensuring continuity and legitimacy for the exile government
in London.
The Supreme Court later upheld its validity; it was
essential for the resistance but controversial for concentrating power.
It prevented Quisling's formal legitimacy (his regime relied only on
German authorization).
Millennium site
The
municipality's millennium site is Rådhusplassen, which was restored
in 2007. In the adjacent Elvarheimparken, the Millennium Tree was
planted, an ash tree.
Museums
The national Norwegian
Forest Museum and the district museum Glomdalsmuseet are located on
opposite sides of Glomma by Elverum center, respectively in Leiret
and Vestad. The museums are connected by bridges to the museum
island Prestøya which is owned by the Forest Museum, where there is
a large collection of huts, stables, ljørkoier and other forest
houses. At the beginning of August, the annual Nordic hunting and
fishing days are arranged. The Glomdal Museum has exhibited a
significant building mass from Østerdalen and Glåmdalen with
traditional buildings. The Glomdal Museum also has a national
exhibition on the culture and history of the Tatars, Latjo Drom. The
outdoor areas at both museums are suitable for hiking, as well as
more culturally and historically oriented activities.
Galleries
Gallery T v / Tunet Elverum AS (established 2016).
Located in Gamle Trysilveg 3b. Permanent sales exhibition with
pictures from more than 30 famous Norwegian artists. Own framework
workshop and café. www.agena.no/tunet/galleri-t/
Elverum art
gallery (moved to Hamar in 2014)
Gallery Nysted, on the old farm
Nysted in the center. Base for Elverum Kunstforening. Exhibitions
from all corners of Norway.
www.elverumkunstforening.no
Other sights
Christiansfjeld fortress
Grundsetmartn the first week of March is one of the country's oldest
markets, already mentioned in the Faroese saga. Traditionally, this
was a meeting place where horses, grain from the flat settlements
and colonial goods from the central east were sold or exchanged for
leather and other merchandise from the valleys (Østerdalen and
Gudbrandsdalen). Today, it is increasingly a market like any other,
even though leather and agricultural machinery are still sold.
The festivals in Elverum are held annually in early August. The
Youth Symphony Orchestra is a regular feature of the festival.
The volume festival was held annually in Elvarheimsparken and on
various club stages in the city. It was arranged in 2018 for the
thirteenth and final time.
Starmoen Fritidspark east of the
city center houses the Nordic region's largest outdoor go-kart
center, 18-hole golf course, trotting track, motocross facility,
small airport, the National Center for gliders in Norway, cottage
village, and more.
Elverum Handball became league champions
in men's handball in the seasons 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18 and
2019/20. The team was trained for many years by the current national
team manager Christian Berge.