Sauda
Encyclopedia
is a municipality
and industrial town in Rogaland
county
, Norway
. It is part of the region of Ryfylke
. Sauda was separated from Suldal
in 1842. Sauda participates in the Haugaland
Council and is under the jurisdiction of the Haugaland District Court.
) is named after the old Sauda farm (Old Norse
: Sauðar), since the first church was built there. The name is the plural form of sauðr which means "spring
" or "issue of water". Before 1918, the name was written "Saude" (or "Søvde").
was granted on 14 May 1976. The arms show a river
as a symbol for hydroelectricity
. Historically, power was generated by watermill
s, providing a possibility for the development of an industry
in the village. Presently, the power is used for melting metal ore
in smelters
in the municipality.
shows that people have been living in Sauda since the latest Ice Age
. In 1349, the Plague/Black Death
wiped out about two thirds
of the population in Sauda, causing a decline in both population and economy. Despite this, the population was increasing during the medieval time, and a new type of industry started to grow. Along the fjord the power from several waterfalls was used to build and run sawmills, and large-scale lumber production was started. People from all over the world, especially from the Netherlands
, started to trade with the citizens. This resulted in major ship traffic, giving impetus to further development of the villages and farms in Sauda. By the end of the 19th century, a new type of adventure would change the lives of the inhabitants forever. The mining industry started in the mountains of Hellandsbygd
, making Sauda a small industrial town, working place and trading center for the surrounding region. But it wasn't until 1910 the real adventure started. The American company Electric Furnace Company (EFP) began the construction of Europe’s
largest smelting plant. This could only be done because of the large number of waterfalls and rivers that made it possible to build power plants situated a short distance from the smelter, which uses large amounts of electricity.
Sauda's time as a farming village was over, and the people of today still live on the foundation of the new town that emerged. By the end of World War II
, the Germans
had finished building a large Aluminum Melting Plant in Saudasjøen, but the production was moved to Årdal
in 1946. The remaining buildings were demolished by the municipality in the 1950s, leaving the industrial area in Saudasjøen empty for decades. In the eighties, a glass production factory was established together with a couple of mechanic production factories. The population of Sauda reached its peak in the mid-1960s, approximately 6,700 inhabitants, but Sauda was not granted township status until the year 1998.
largest melting plant, Eramet Norway AS
. It is situated in the end of the fjord called Saudafjorden.
, 3 hours from Bergen, and 5 hours from Oslo
. It is also one of the biggest ski resorts on the west coast of Norway. The town of Sauda is located on flat land, a delta created by the rivers that empty into the fjord just outside the town centre.
, Statkraft
, Sauda Building Center, Statnett
and Elkem
.
at Sauda Skisenter
. Also notable athletes; alpine racers, and summer-winter athletes call Sauda home. Hildeborg Juvet Hugdal, known as the World's Strongest Woman resides in Sauda.
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
and industrial town in Rogaland
Rogaland
is a county in Western Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. It is the center of the Norwegian petroleum industry, and as a result of this, Rogaland has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in Norway, 1.1%...
county
Counties of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties . The counties form the primary first-level subdivisions of Norway and are further divided into 430 municipalities...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. It is part of the region of Ryfylke
Ryfylke
Ryfylke is a traditional district in Norway, located northeast of Stavanger and east of Haugesund. In the east it borders Setesdal and Sirdal.Ryfylke comprises the contemporary municipalities of Sauda, Suldal, Finnøy, Hjelmeland, Forsand, Strand, Kvitsøy and Rennesøy...
. Sauda was separated from Suldal
Suldal
Suldal is a municipality in the northeast of Rogaland county, Norway located in the Ryfylke historically traditional district. Sand i Ryfylke is a the administrative center of Suldal....
in 1842. Sauda participates in the Haugaland
Haugaland
Haugaland is a traditional district situated on the western coast of Norway. Haugaland is one of the 15 traditional district located within the Region of Vestlandet.-Location:...
Council and is under the jurisdiction of the Haugaland District Court.
Name
The municipality (originally the parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
) is named after the old Sauda farm (Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
: Sauðar), since the first church was built there. The name is the plural form of sauðr which means "spring
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
" or "issue of water". Before 1918, the name was written "Saude" (or "Søvde").
Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
was granted on 14 May 1976. The arms show a river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
as a symbol for hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
. Historically, power was generated by watermill
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
s, providing a possibility for the development of an industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
in the village. Presently, the power is used for melting metal ore
Ore
An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals with important elements including metals. The ores are extracted through mining; these are then refined to extract the valuable element....
in smelters
Smelting
Smelting is a form of extractive metallurgy; its main use is to produce a metal from its ore. This includes iron extraction from iron ore, and copper extraction and other base metals from their ores...
in the municipality.
History
Archaeological excavation in SaudasjøenSaudasjøen
Saudasjøen is a small village in Sauda municipality, Norway. It is located about 4 kilometres south of the city of Sauda, and for statistical purposes it is considered a part of the Sauda urban area...
shows that people have been living in Sauda since the latest Ice Age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
. In 1349, the Plague/Black Death
Black Death
The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Of several competing theories, the dominant explanation for the Black Death is the plague theory, which attributes the outbreak to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Thought to have...
wiped out about two thirds
of the population in Sauda, causing a decline in both population and economy. Despite this, the population was increasing during the medieval time, and a new type of industry started to grow. Along the fjord the power from several waterfalls was used to build and run sawmills, and large-scale lumber production was started. People from all over the world, especially from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, started to trade with the citizens. This resulted in major ship traffic, giving impetus to further development of the villages and farms in Sauda. By the end of the 19th century, a new type of adventure would change the lives of the inhabitants forever. The mining industry started in the mountains of Hellandsbygd
Hellandsbygd
Hellandsbygd is a small hamlet in Sauda municipality, Norway. It is located about 1 mile in the mountains North of the city of Sauda, too far away to be considered a part of the Sauda urban area.Historically it was an important mining industrial location...
, making Sauda a small industrial town, working place and trading center for the surrounding region. But it wasn't until 1910 the real adventure started. The American company Electric Furnace Company (EFP) began the construction of Europe’s
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
largest smelting plant. This could only be done because of the large number of waterfalls and rivers that made it possible to build power plants situated a short distance from the smelter, which uses large amounts of electricity.
Sauda's time as a farming village was over, and the people of today still live on the foundation of the new town that emerged. By the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
had finished building a large Aluminum Melting Plant in Saudasjøen, but the production was moved to Årdal
Årdal
Årdal is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The village of Årdalstangen is the administrative center of the municipality. Årdal was separated from Lærdal in 1860....
in 1946. The remaining buildings were demolished by the municipality in the 1950s, leaving the industrial area in Saudasjøen empty for decades. In the eighties, a glass production factory was established together with a couple of mechanic production factories. The population of Sauda reached its peak in the mid-1960s, approximately 6,700 inhabitants, but Sauda was not granted township status until the year 1998.
Population
The town of Sauda is the fifth largest in Rogaland with 4,290 inhabitants (2006), and the city center is home to Northern Europe'sNorthern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
largest melting plant, Eramet Norway AS
Eramet
Eramet is a French multinational mining and metallurgy company, listed on the Euronext Paris exchange under the symbol ERA.The company produces non-ferrous metals and derivatives, nickel alloys and superalloys, and high-performance special steels....
. It is situated in the end of the fjord called Saudafjorden.
Geography
Sauda is located at the end of a fjord, with very mountainous terrain, with mountains like Skaulen (1560 metres (5,118.1 ft)), and Kyrkjenuten (1620 metres (5,315 ft)) in proximity. The town is located only about 2 hours by boat from StavangerStavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
, 3 hours from Bergen, and 5 hours from Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. It is also one of the biggest ski resorts on the west coast of Norway. The town of Sauda is located on flat land, a delta created by the rivers that empty into the fjord just outside the town centre.
Economy
The main activity is industry, with large companies represented like Eramet, Saint-GobainSaint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain S.A. is a French multinational corporation, founded in 1665 in Paris and headquartered on the outskirts of Paris at La Défense and in Courbevoie. Originally a mirror manufacturer, it now also produces a variety of construction and high-performance materials.The company has its head...
, Statkraft
Statkraft
Statkraft is a Norwegian state owned electricity company. With a total energy production of 44.9 TWh in 2007, the Statkraft Group is the third largest energy producer in the Nordic region, as well as the largest energy producer based on renewable energy sources in Europe,consisting of 40% of the...
, Sauda Building Center, Statnett
Statnett
Statnett is a Norwegian state owned enterprise responsible for owning, operating and constructing the stem power grid in Norway. The company has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway....
and Elkem
Elkem
Elkem is one of Norway's largest industrial companies, and one of the world's leading suppliers of metals and materials. The company's main products are aluminium, energy and silicon as well as specialised products such as ferrosilicon to foundries, microsilica and carbon...
.
Tourism
Sauda has a well-developed nightlife, which is suited for all adult ages. There are young-adult bars, as well as more mature-adult bars accessible. A movie theater, many tourist attractions and restaurants exist as a way of relaxing after skiing. However, the most highly recommended first stop is the après-skiAprès-ski
Après-ski refers to going out, having drinks, dancing, and generally socializing after skiing. It is popular in the Alps, where skiers often stop at bars on their last run of the day while still wearing all their ski gear. The concept is similar to the nineteenth hole in golf. This can also...
at Sauda Skisenter
Sauda Skisenter
Sauda ski area is a scenic and snow-rich slalom arena located on a mountain above Saudasjøen only about 5 kilometers from Sauda city center, in Norway. The base of Sauda Skisenter, formerly known as Svandalen Skisenter, is at an altitude of about 360 meters above sea level. Visitors can reach 1100...
. Also notable athletes; alpine racers, and summer-winter athletes call Sauda home. Hildeborg Juvet Hugdal, known as the World's Strongest Woman resides in Sauda.
Attractions
- Rondahaugen - with views over the city and out towards StavangerStavangerStavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
- Sauda kirke, Solbrekk kapell, Hellandsbygd kapell and Saudasjøen kapell - local churches
- Allmannajuvet - old mines with guided tour
- Sauda SmelteverkSauda SmelteverkSauda Smelteverk is a smelting plant in Sauda, Norway.It was a plant for producing manganese alloys. It was founded in 1915, and the production was ready in 1923. Together with the hydropower deliverer company Saudefaldene it was owned by Union Carbide. It was named Electric Furnace Products...
- melting plant that is still active, guided tour after appointment - Nordag - former aluminium melting plant in SaudasjøenSaudasjøenSaudasjøen is a small village in Sauda municipality, Norway. It is located about 4 kilometres south of the city of Sauda, and for statistical purposes it is considered a part of the Sauda urban area...
- Old Graveyard in SaudasjøenSaudasjøenSaudasjøen is a small village in Sauda municipality, Norway. It is located about 4 kilometres south of the city of Sauda, and for statistical purposes it is considered a part of the Sauda urban area...
- containing tombs of Russian POWs who died when building the Nordag aluminium melting plant during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - Tveittunet in Saudasjøen - old refurbished estate in SaudasjøenSaudasjøenSaudasjøen is a small village in Sauda municipality, Norway. It is located about 4 kilometres south of the city of Sauda, and for statistical purposes it is considered a part of the Sauda urban area...
- Jonegarden på Hustveit - old refurbished farm and a lumber mill
- Løyning - old farm about 10 kilometers away from Sauda
- Risvoldtunet - food service, conference center, guided tour on a mini power plant
- Åbøbyen - best conserved North-American styled township in Norway
- Honganvikfossen - water falls
- Svandalsfossen - water falls
- Jetegrytene in Åbødalen - rivers and falls
- Sauda museum - collection in downtown Sauda featuring local heritage
- Industriarbeidermuseet - museum about the life of local workmen (1920s to 1950s)
- Fagerheimsaminga - exhibition of carved wooden figures in Saudahallen
- City walk - arrangement in summer time with a guided tour through the city of Sauda
- City center - during winter, heated streets are free of snow
Notable residents
- Bjørn EidsvågBjørn EidsvågBjørn Eidsvåg is a Norwegian singer, songwriter and Lutheran minister. He is a graduate from the MF Norwegian School of Theology...
, priest and musician - Kjartan FløgstadKjartan FløgstadKjartan Fløgstad is a Norwegian author. Fløgstad studied literature and linguistics at the University of Bergen. Subsequently he worked for a period as an industrial worker and as a sailor before he debuted as a poet with his collection of poems titled Valfart in 1968...
, author - Svein MathisenSvein MathisenSvein Erling "Matta" Mathisen was a footballer from Norway. With the exception of a short spell with Scottish club Hibernian in 1978, "Matta" played for IK Start throughout his career, where he won the Norwegian league title in 1978 and 1980...
(1952–2011), Football league and national team player - Hans FretteHans FretteHans Frette was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Rogaland in 1977, and was re-elected on two occasions...
(1927–1989), Member of the Parliament of Norway - Jakob AanoJakob AanoJakob Aano is a Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Rogaland in 1965, and was re-elected on four occasions. He was never involved in local politics, but was the first vice leader of the national party from 1983 to 1985.He...
, Member of the Parliament of Norway - Torfinn OpheimTorfinn OpheimTorfinn Opheim is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Rogaland in 2005...
, former mayor and member of the Parliament of Norway - Odd BondevikOdd BondevikOdd Bondevik was the bishop of Møre in the Church of Norway from 17 November 1991 until retirement in 2008. In retirement, he is putting together a new Norwegian translation of the Old Testament...
, Bishop of MøreMøre og Romsdalis a county in the northernmost part of Western Norway. It borders the counties of Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Sogn og Fjordane. The county administration is located in Molde, while Ålesund is the largest city.-The name:...
in the Church of NorwayChurch of NorwayThe Church of Norway is the state church of Norway, established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway in 1536-1537 broke the ties to the Holy See. The church confesses the Lutheran Christian faith... - Brede Halsnes, Professional Alpine skier and Internet entrepeneur
Other sources
- Obrestad, TorTor ObrestadTor Obrestad is a Norwegian novelist, poet and documentary writer. He made his literary debut in 1966 with two books, the poetry collection Kollisjon and a collection of short stories, Vind, and received Tarjei Vesaas' debutantpris for these two books...
(1972) Sauda! Streik! ISBN 82-05-05351-0 - Fløgstad, KjartanKjartan FløgstadKjartan Fløgstad is a Norwegian author. Fløgstad studied literature and linguistics at the University of Bergen. Subsequently he worked for a period as an industrial worker and as a sailor before he debuted as a poet with his collection of poems titled Valfart in 1968...
(1990) Arbeidets lys : tungindustrien i Sauda gjennom 75 år ISBN 82-521-3597-8 - Berntsen, HaraldHarald BerntsenHarald Berntsen is a national historian and is active in the radical left in Norway.- Background, upbringing and work :...
(1987) 100 år med Folkets Hus ISBN 82-10-03042-6
External links
- Municipal fact sheet from Statistics NorwayStatistics NorwayStatistics Norway is the Norwegian statistics bureau. It was established in 1876.Relying on a staff of about 1,000, Statistics Norway publish about 1,000 new statistical releases every year on its web site. All releases are published both in Norwegian and English...