Tromøy
Encyclopedia
Tromøy is the largest island
in Southern Norway, a former municipality in Aust-Agder
county
, and is currently an important part of the present-day municipality of Arendal
.
from the town of Arendal. Tromøy Bridge (Tromøybroa) a 400 metres (1,312.3 ft) long suspension bridge
connected it to the mainland in 1961. There is a passenger ferry
that takes six minutes to transport riders from Skilsø to Arendal. The highest point on the island is the 95 metres (311.7 ft) tall Vardåsen. The company Aker Pusnes is located in Pusnes. It is a designer and supplier of all types of deck machinery and mooring systems for marine and offshore applications.
) of Tromø (Old Norse
: Þruma) which means "rim", "edge", or "border".
was divided into three separate municipalities: Tromøy (population: 2,320), Barbu (population: 4,874), and Austre Moland (population: 2,524). The municipality of Tromøy included several smaller islands, including Merdø, Skilsø, and Tromlingene.
On 1 January 1992, the municipality of Tromøy was incorporated into the municipality of Arendal, along with Moland
, Øyestad
, and Hisøy
. Prior to the merger, the municipality had a population of 4,711.
kings. According to the Ynglinga saga
, Harald Granraude
, the King of Agder
, had his headquarters at Tromøy. It also says that his daughter, Queen Åsa Haraldsdatter
, took her one-year old son, Halfdan Svarte
back to Tromøy after the death of Gudrød Veidekonge
. There are several place names in Tromøy derived from the Viking era including Kongshamn
and Hove.
(1940-1945), the Germans had an anti-aircraft
school at Tromøy (Feld Flakartillerie-schule 50) from 1941-1944 at a camp built on the Hove farm. The camp was built for 1,500 men. There were 3 radar
s at the island and supposedly four 88 mm anti-aircraft cannons. Construction of a 200 metres (656.2 ft) airstrip was begun. Most of the camp's buildings, including the airstrip which never where completed, are still there today, along with a bunker
(R618) of unknown purpose. The bunker is currently undergoing restorations (2007) but work has been halted due to an ownership dispute. The German military used 75 buildings in the area, most of them built during the war.
It was converted into a cruciform church in 1748. The church has a restored brick Romanesque
portal with two grotesque face masks on the wall on each side of the portal.The church was painted during the 1750's and decorated in rococo style.
The church has a nave from 1751 hanging on the ceiling with a model of Dronningen av Danmark, a frigate based in Copenhagen
. The baptismal font made of soapstone dates from the medieval period. Altarpiece and pulpit are from 1725.
Arendal Herregaard Hotell was built in 1930 and it is one of the oldest hotel
s in the region. It is situated in idyllic surroundings only about 250 metres (820.2 ft) from Spornes beach - practically on the threshold of the North Sea
. All rooms have been recently refurbished and they are charming and comfortable, with light colors inspired by southern Norway and the sea. The rooms are of different sizes and are furnished with birch wood furniture from Hovden and comfortable beds with mattresses from Ekornes, both leading Norwegian suppliers of quality furnishings. All rooms are equipped with fridge and TV. They offer: 41 rooms, restaurant with bar and conservatory (110 persons), lounge, spa (sauna, bath, aromatherapy and massage), conference facilities for up to 100 persons, team building and incentive activities, camp with lavvo, activities and hot tub.
Hove Familie Camping (Hove Family Camping) lies in beautiful surroundings. This is perfect for families, with great possibilities for fishing
and hiking
on many walking paths in the woods and along the coast. The campground
is about 50 metres (164 ft) from the beach
, and offers cabins, room for your caravan, a place to put up a tent, a kiosk, and mini golf.
was Norway's largest festival venue. Its capacity is 20,000 people. Headliners for the first year included the American
bands Slayer
, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age
, and My Chemical Romance
.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in Southern Norway, a former municipality in Aust-Agder
Aust-Agder
is a county in Norway, bordering Telemark, Rogaland, and Vest-Agder. In 2002, there were 102,945 inhabitants, which is 2.2% of the total population in Norway. Its area is . The administrative center of the county is in Arendal....
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...
, and is currently an important part of the present-day municipality of Arendal
Arendal
is a town and municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, Norway. Arendal belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet.The town of Arendal is the administrative center the municipality and also of Aust-Agder county...
.
Location
The island is located directly across the harborHarbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
from the town of Arendal. Tromøy Bridge (Tromøybroa) a 400 metres (1,312.3 ft) long suspension bridge
Suspension bridge
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. Outside Tibet and Bhutan, where the first examples of this type of bridge were built in the 15th century, this type of bridge dates from the early 19th century...
connected it to the mainland in 1961. There is a passenger ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
that takes six minutes to transport riders from Skilsø to Arendal. The highest point on the island is the 95 metres (311.7 ft) tall Vardåsen. The company Aker Pusnes is located in Pusnes. It is a designer and supplier of all types of deck machinery and mooring systems for marine and offshore applications.
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...
) of Tromø (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....
: Þruma) which means "rim", "edge", or "border".
History
The municipality of Tromøy was established on 1 May 1878 when the municipality of Austre MolandAustre Moland
Austre Moland is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is currently part of the municipality of Arendal in the Sørlandet region of Norway. It is home to the Austre Moland church.-Name:...
was divided into three separate municipalities: Tromøy (population: 2,320), Barbu (population: 4,874), and Austre Moland (population: 2,524). The municipality of Tromøy included several smaller islands, including Merdø, Skilsø, and Tromlingene.
On 1 January 1992, the municipality of Tromøy was incorporated into the municipality of Arendal, along with Moland
Moland
Moland is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is located in the present-day municipality of Arendal in the Sørlandet region. Eydehavn was the centre of the municipality, which had a population of 6,011 in 1967 and 8,148 in 1992.-Name:...
, Øyestad
Øyestad
Øyestad is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is located in the present-day municipality of Arendal in the Sørlandet region...
, and Hisøy
Hisøy
Hisøy is an island and a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Today, the island is a part of the municipality of Arendal. Hisøy is an island separated from the mainland by the river Nidelv. The village of Kolbjørnsvik is located across the harbor from the town of Arendal...
. Prior to the merger, the municipality had a population of 4,711.
Viking era
Tromøy is known for having once hosted many VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
kings. According to the Ynglinga saga
Ynglinga saga
Ynglinga saga is a legendary saga, originally written in Old Norse by the Icelandic poet Snorri Sturluson about 1225. It was first translated into English and published in 1844....
, Harald Granraude
Harald Granraude
Haraldr hinn granrauði was a king of the district Agder, Norway, and lived in the 9th century.He was married to Gunnhild Ragnvaldsdottir, daughter of Ragnvald Sigurdsson, Lord of Huseby on Lista...
, the King of Agder
Agder
Agder is a historical district of Norway in the southernmost region of Norway, corresponding to the two counties Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder. Today, the term Sørlandet is more commonly used.-Name:...
, had his headquarters at Tromøy. It also says that his daughter, Queen Åsa Haraldsdatter
Åsa Haraldsdottir of Agder
Åsa Haraldsdottir of Agder was a semi-legendary Norwegian Viking age Queen regnant of the petty kingdom Agder and mother of Halfdan the Black and grandmother of Harald Fairhair, according to the sagas of the Yngling clan.-Biography:...
, took her one-year old son, Halfdan Svarte
Halfdan the Black
Halfdan the Black was a ninth-century king of Vestfold. He belonged to the House of Yngling and was the father of Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway.-Biography:...
back to Tromøy after the death of Gudrød Veidekonge
Gudrød the Hunter
Gudrød the Hunter was a semi-legendary king in Vingulmark in south-east Norway, during the early Viking Age from 804 until 810...
. There are several place names in Tromøy derived from the Viking era including Kongshamn
Kongshamn
Kongshavn or Kongshamn is a community in the municipality of Arendal in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Its population is 862. Kongshavn is located on the north side of Tromøy island, across the Tromøysundet from Eydehavn. It is about east of the city of Arendal....
and Hove.
Hove Farm
Hove is an area located on the south-western part of Tromøy which has easily cultivated, self-draining soil and was therefore a convenient place for early agriculture. The first recorded cultivation of potatoes in Norway is believed of have occurred at the Hove farm (Hove gård) which was one of the most significant estates in Tromøy. In 1757 the owner, Nils Mathiasen Aalholm, observed in his garden diary (Nils Aalholms hagedagbok) that potatoes were being cultivated on his farm.World War II
During the Occupation of Norway by Nazi GermanyOccupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
(1940-1945), the Germans had an anti-aircraft
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
school at Tromøy (Feld Flakartillerie-schule 50) from 1941-1944 at a camp built on the Hove farm. The camp was built for 1,500 men. There were 3 radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
s at the island and supposedly four 88 mm anti-aircraft cannons. Construction of a 200 metres (656.2 ft) airstrip was begun. Most of the camp's buildings, including the airstrip which never where completed, are still there today, along with a bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
(R618) of unknown purpose. The bunker is currently undergoing restorations (2007) but work has been halted due to an ownership dispute. The German military used 75 buildings in the area, most of them built during the war.
Tromøy Church
Tromøy Church is the parent church in Tromøy parish in Arendal. The church is a medieval stone church from 1150. The foundation walls are 1.5 meters thick.It was converted into a cruciform church in 1748. The church has a restored brick Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
portal with two grotesque face masks on the wall on each side of the portal.The church was painted during the 1750's and decorated in rococo style.
The church has a nave from 1751 hanging on the ceiling with a model of Dronningen av Danmark, a frigate based in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. The baptismal font made of soapstone dates from the medieval period. Altarpiece and pulpit are from 1725.
Dining
Arendal Catering is located at Hove Camp (Hove Leirsenter). Bjellandstrand Gård has a farm restaurant with exclusive dishes, and at Arendal Herregaard Hotel (close to Hove Camp) there's another restaurant. There is only one gas station on the island and it serves some fast food.Accommodations
Hove Leirsenter (Hove Camp) is located at the idyllic Hove on the shore of the island of Tromøy, about 12 km from Arendal town centre. They have a variety of accommodation possibilities: dormitory, houses, lodges and tent areas are all at your disposal. The camp area is more than 87 acres (352,076.8 m²) and offers a soccer ground, handball courts, volleyball courts, playground, walking paths and beaches. The camp area is suitable for large camps and the price is very reasonable.Arendal Herregaard Hotell was built in 1930 and it is one of the oldest hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s in the region. It is situated in idyllic surroundings only about 250 metres (820.2 ft) from Spornes beach - practically on the threshold of the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
. All rooms have been recently refurbished and they are charming and comfortable, with light colors inspired by southern Norway and the sea. The rooms are of different sizes and are furnished with birch wood furniture from Hovden and comfortable beds with mattresses from Ekornes, both leading Norwegian suppliers of quality furnishings. All rooms are equipped with fridge and TV. They offer: 41 rooms, restaurant with bar and conservatory (110 persons), lounge, spa (sauna, bath, aromatherapy and massage), conference facilities for up to 100 persons, team building and incentive activities, camp with lavvo, activities and hot tub.
Hove Familie Camping (Hove Family Camping) lies in beautiful surroundings. This is perfect for families, with great possibilities for fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
on many walking paths in the woods and along the coast. The campground
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
is about 50 metres (164 ft) from the beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
, and offers cabins, room for your caravan, a place to put up a tent, a kiosk, and mini golf.
Hove Festival
Starting in 2007, the Hove FestivalHove Festival
The Hove Festival is a music festival held on the island Tromøy outside of Arendal in southern Norway. It was held for the first time from 26–30 June 2007. Since 2007 Hove festival has been the largest music festival in Norway....
was Norway's largest festival venue. Its capacity is 20,000 people. Headliners for the first year included the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bands Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
, and My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
.
Other sources
- Ekroll, Øystein (1997) Med kleber og kalk,Norsk steinbygging i mellomalderen 1050 - 1550 (Gjøvik) ISBN 82-521-4754-2