Sveio
Encyclopedia
Sveio is a municipality
in the county
of Hordaland
, Norway
. Sveio is located in the traditional district
of Haugaland
in 1861. Vikebygd
was separated from Sveio on January 1, 1902. Valestrand
(and the western part of Vikebygd) was merged back into Sveio on January 1, 1964.
Sviða), since the first church was built there. The name is identical with the word sviða which means a "clearing made by burning". Before 1912, the name was written Sveen.
is from modern times. They were granted on 19 February 1982. The arms show a cut fleur-de-lis
, an unusual symbol, derived from the arms of Jon Gauteson from Sveio, who lived around 1500. He was the first of his family, who were incorporated in the Norwegian nobility
in 1591, to use this symbol.
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
in the 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...
of Hordaland
Hordaland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Telemark and Rogaland. Hordaland is the third largest county after Akershus and Oslo by population. The county administration is located in Bergen...
, 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...
. Sveio is located in the traditional district
Districts of Norway
The country Norway is historically divided into a number of districts. Many districts have deep historical roots, and only partially coincide with today's administrative units of counties and municipalities. The districts are defined by geographical features, often valleys, mountain ranges, fjords,...
of 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:...
Location
Geographically, Sveio is situated on the Haugaland peninsula. The administrative centre is the village of Sveio. Sveio was separated from FinnåsFinnås
Finnås is a former municipality which is now part of the municipality of Bømlo in Hordaland county, Norway.-History:Finnås is located in the traditional district of Vestlandet....
in 1861. Vikebygd
Vikebygd
Vikebygd is a village and former municipality in Hordaland county, Norway.The municipality was created by a split from Sveen on January 1, 1902. At that time Vikebygd had a population of 1,092....
was separated from Sveio on January 1, 1902. Valestrand
Valestrand
Valestrand is a former municipality in Hordaland County, Norway.It was created by a split from Stord on May 15, 1868. At that time Valestrand had a population of 900. On 1 January 1870 a district of Moster with its 247 inhabitants was moved to Valestrand. On 1 January 1964 Valestrand became a part...
(and the western part of Vikebygd) was merged back into Sveio on January 1, 1964.
Name
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Sveio farm (Old NorseOld 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....
Sviða), since the first church was built there. The name is identical with the word sviða which means a "clearing made by burning". Before 1912, the name was written Sveen.
Points of interest
Sveio was the site of the Ryvarden Lighthouse on Ryvardsneset, which is now converted into art galleries, the Flókemuseum and a cafe. The composer Fartein Valen lived much of his life in Valevåg in northern Sveio. Valenheimen, the house he lived in is open to the public. Fartein Valen Festival is held annually in Sveio.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...
is from modern times. They were granted on 19 February 1982. The arms show a cut fleur-de-lis
Fleur-de-lis
The fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys is a stylized lily or iris that is used as a decorative design or symbol. It may be "at one and the same time, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic", especially in heraldry...
, an unusual symbol, derived from the arms of Jon Gauteson from Sveio, who lived around 1500. He was the first of his family, who were incorporated in the Norwegian nobility
Norwegian nobility
Norwegian nobility are persons and families who in early times belonged to the supreme social, political, and military class and who later were members of the institutionalised nobility in the Kingdom of Norway. It has its historical roots in the group of chieftains and warriors which evolved...
in 1591, to use this symbol.
Notable residents
- Grutle KjellsonGrutle KjellsonGrutle Kjellson is a Norwegian vocalist and bass player for the progressive viking metal band Enslaved. He is one of only two founding members left in the current line-up with Ivar Bjørnson being the other one. He is the man who appears on the cover of Enslaved's album Eld...
, Musician - Fartein ValenFartein ValenOlav Fartein Valen was a Norwegian composer and musical theorist, notable for his work within atonal polyphonic music.-Background:...
, Composer - May Britt VihovdeMay Britt VihovdeMay Britt Vihovde is a Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party.She was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hordaland in 1997, but was not re-elected in 2001...
, Politician and former Member of Parliament - Einar ØklandEinar ØklandEinar Økland is a Norwegian lyricist, playwright, essayist and children's writer.He made his literary debut in 1963, with the poetry collection Ein gul dag. He was awarded the Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature for the children's book Sikk-sakk...
, Author and poet - Cecilie PedersenCecilie PedersenCecilie Pedersen is a Norwegian footballer from Førde in Sveio. She moved from SK Haugar to Avaldsnes IL for the 2009 season on a three year contract that reportedly made her one of the highest paid women footballers in the country...
, Football player