Telemark is a traditional region, a former
county
A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...
, and a current electoral district in southern
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of ...
. In 2020, Telemark merged with the former county of
Vestfold
Vestfold is a traditional region, a former county and a current electoral district in Eastern Norway. In 2020 the county became part of the much larger county of Vestfold og Telemark. Located on the western shore of the Oslofjord, it bordered ...
to form the county of
Vestfold og Telemark
Vestfold og Telemark (; ) is a county under disestablishment in Norway. The county is the southernmost one of Eastern Norway and consists of two distinct and separate traditional regions: the former counties of Telemark and (most of) Vestfol ...
. Telemark borders the traditional regions and former counties of
Vestfold
Vestfold is a traditional region, a former county and a current electoral district in Eastern Norway. In 2020 the county became part of the much larger county of Vestfold og Telemark. Located on the western shore of the Oslofjord, it bordered ...
,
Buskerud,
Hordaland
Hordaland () was a county in Norway, bordering Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Telemark, and Rogaland counties. Hordaland was the third largest county, after Akershus and Oslo, by population. The county government was the Hordaland County Municipa ...
,
Rogaland
Rogaland () is a county in Western Norway, bordering the North Sea to the west and the counties of Vestland to the north, Vestfold og Telemark to the east and Agder to the east and southeast. In 2020, it had a population of 479,892. The admin ...
and
Aust-Agder
Aust-Agder (, en, "East Agder") was a county (''fylke'') in Norway until 1 January 2020, when it was merged with Vest-Agder to form Agder county. In 2002, there were 102,945 inhabitants, which was 2.2% of Norway's population. Its area was . The ...
.
The name ''Telemark'' means the "
mark
Mark may refer to:
Currency
* Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
* East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic
* Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927
* Finn ...
of the
Thelir The Thelir or Thilir (Old Norse: ''Þilir''; Norwegian Bokmål: ''teler''; Norwegian Nynorsk: ''telar'' or ''teler'') was a North Germanic tribe that inhabited the region now known as Upper Telemark in modern Norway during the Migration Period and ...
", the ancient
North Germanic tribe that inhabited what is now known as
Upper Telemark in the
Migration Period
The Migration Period was a period in European history marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories by various tribes, and the establishment of the post-Roma ...
and the
Viking Age
The Viking Age () was the period during the Middle Ages when Norsemen known as Vikings undertook large-scale raiding, colonizing, conquest, and trading throughout Europe and reached North America. It followed the Migration Period and the Germ ...
.
In the Middle Ages, the agricultural society of Upper Telemark was considered the most violent region of Norway. Today, half of the buildings from medieval times in Norway are located here. The dialects spoken in Upper Telemark also retain more elements of
Old Norse
Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and their overseas settlement ...
than those spoken elsewhere in the country.
Upper Telemark is also known as the birthplace of
skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee ( ...
.
The southern part of Telemark,
Grenland, is more urban and influenced by trade with the
Low Countries
The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...
,
northern Germany
Northern Germany (german: link=no, Norddeutschland) is a linguistic, geographic, socio-cultural and historic region in the northern part of Germany which includes the coastal states of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lower Saxony an ...
,
Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark
, establish ...
and the
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-western coast of continental Europe, consisting of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isl ...
.
Telemark has been one of Norway's most important industrial regions for centuries, marked in particular by the
Norske Skog Union paper mills in
Grenland and the
Norsk Hydro heavy water and fertilizer production in
Upper Telemark.
Telemark as a county is expected to be re-established by 1 January 2024, following a vote of the county council of Vestfold og Telemark on 15 February 2022 to split the newly established county into its respective counties that existed before the merger took place; Telemark and Vestfold.
History
Telemark county was established as the fief Bratsberg in the late Middle Ages, during
Norway's union with Denmark. With the introduction of absolute monarchy in 1662 it became a county, and it was renamed Telemark in 1919 and was a county until 2020. The county administration was in the port town
Skien, which was in the early modern period Norway's most important city, ahead of Christiania.
Telemark consists of several distinct historical regions. It takes its name from the largest of them, which is now called
Upper Telemark, but which was historically simply called Telemark. Telemark is named for the
Thelir The Thelir or Thilir (Old Norse: ''Þilir''; Norwegian Bokmål: ''teler''; Norwegian Nynorsk: ''telar'' or ''teler'') was a North Germanic tribe that inhabited the region now known as Upper Telemark in modern Norway during the Migration Period and ...
(Þilir in Old Norse), the ancient North Germanic tribe that inhabited what is now known as Upper Telemark since the
Migration Period
The Migration Period was a period in European history marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories by various tribes, and the establishment of the post-Roma ...
and during the
Viking Age
The Viking Age () was the period during the Middle Ages when Norsemen known as Vikings undertook large-scale raiding, colonizing, conquest, and trading throughout Europe and reached North America. It followed the Migration Period and the Germ ...
. The Norse form of the name was ''Þelamǫrk''. The first element is the genitive plural case of ''Þilir'' while the last element is ''mǫrk'' "woodland, borderland,
march".
Traditional Telemark, i.e. Upper Telemark, is located in the inland and comprises more than two thirds of it according to its traditional definition. Both in medieval times and later (Upper) Telemark was the region of Norway with the most self-owning farmers. It retained
Norse culture to a larger degree than any other region in Norway, with respect to its more egalitarian organisation of society, religion, traditional values and language. Thus the people of Telemark were often described during the Middle Ages and early modern era as the most violent in Norway. The dialects of Upper Telemark are also the dialects of Norwegian that are closest to
Old Norse
Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and their overseas settlement ...
. The farmers of Telemark were marked by a strong-willed conservatism and belief in their traditional values that often defied the central authorities of Denmark-Norway; for example they held on to aspects of both
Old Norse religion and later of
Catholicism
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
longer than other regions in Norway. (Upper) Telemark traditionally lacks cities entirely.
Grenland and the Skien fjord are flatter regions located closer to or at the coast. Historically Grenland referred to what is now called
Midt-Telemark
Midt-Telemark is a traditional district of Norway situated in Vestfold og Telemark county.
It comprises three municipalities: Bø, Sauherad and Nome. The largest population centres in the region are Bø, Ulefoss, Bjervamoen and Gvarv, of whi ...
, but over time the name Grenland has come to refer to the Skien fjord area. The latter is traditionally characterized by its cities and its involvement in seafaring and trade. It also includes several larger agricultural properties and estates, as well as industry. The culture and social structure are more urban, far less traditional, more influenced by contact with continental Europe and far less egalitarian. The most important city of the region,
Skien, was historically one of Norway's most important cities, although its importance declined after the Napoleonic Wars. The playwright
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Johan Ibsen (; ; 20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. As one of the founders of modernism in theatre, Ibsen is often referred to as "the father of realism" and one of the most influential pla ...
was a native of Skien, and many of his plays are set in places reminiscent of the city and area.
During the Dano-Norwegian union the traditional regions of Telemark and Grenland/the Skien fjord became the fief (''len'') and later county (''
amt
Amt is a type of administrative division governing a group of municipalities, today only in Germany, but formerly also common in other countries of Northern Europe. Its size and functions differ by country and the term is roughly equivalent to ...
'') of Bratsberg (Bradsberg). The fief and county was named after the farm Bratsberg, since this was the seat of the governor. In 1919 Bratsberg county was renamed Telemark. Despite this, Grenland retains a separate identity that is distinct from Telemark proper; the minority in the Storting voted for the name Grenland–Telemark in 1918.
(Upper) Telemark, particularly
Kviteseid, is known as the birthplace of
skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee ( ...
as a modern sport. Telemark lent its name to
Telemark skiing
Telemark skiing is a skiing technique that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing, using the rear foot to keep balance while pushing on the front foot to create a carving turn on downhill skis with toe-only bindings. Telemark skiing is n ...
, a style invented by
Sondre Norheim, and the characteristic
Telemark landing
Telemark is a traditional region, a former county, and a current electoral district in southern Norway. In 2020, Telemark merged with the former county of Vestfold to form the county of Vestfold og Telemark. Telemark borders the traditional ...
of
ski jumping. Telemark is also known as the centre of the ''
Bunad'' movement. Telemark has more buildings from medieval times than any other Norwegian region.
Geography
Telemark is located in southeastern Norway, extending from the
Hardangervidda mountain plateau in the North to the
Skagerrak coast in the South. Telemark has a varied and scenic landscape, including a rugged coastline, valleys, lakes, hills mountains, and mountain plateaus.
Infrastructure
The international road
E18 goes through the southern parts of Telemark, namely
Grenland and the municipality of
Kragerø
Kragerø () is a town and municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional regions of Grenland and the smaller Vestmar. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kragerø. The city of Kra ...
.
E134, another important motorway and the fastest route between
Oslo
Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...
and
Bergen
Bergen (), historically Bjørgvin, is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. , its population is roughly 285,900. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, secon ...
, goes through the municipalities of
Vinje,
Tokke,
Kviteseid,
Seljord,
Hjartdal
Hjartdal is a municipality in Telemark in the county of Vestfold og Telemark in Norway. It is part of the traditional regions of Upper Telemark and Øst-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sauland. The mun ...
and
Notodden.
RV36, stretching from
Porsgrunn
is a city and municipality in Telemark in the county of Vestfold og Telemark in Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Porsgrunn.
The municipality of Porsgrun ...
to Seljord, links the E18 and E134 motorways.
Telemark is well served by railways. The
Sørlandet Line runs through the traditional districts of Vestmar and Midt-Telemark, serving the municipalities of
Drangedal
Drangedal is a municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Prestestranda. The municipality of Drangedal was establis ...
,
Nome,
Bø and
Sauherad. Grenland is primarily served by the
Vestfold Line, but also has connections through the
Bratsberg Line
The Bratsberg Line ( no, Bratsbergbanen) is a railway line between Eidanger and Notodden in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It opened in 1917, connecting the Tinnos Line, the Sørland Line and the Vestfold Line; allowing Norsk Hydro to t ...
which runs between
Skien and
Notodden.
From Langesund,
Fjordline operates ferry services to
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic countries, Nordic c ...
and
Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark
, establish ...
.
The main bus lines in the region are operated by
Telemark Bilruter
Telemark Bilruter AS is a Norway, Norwegian bus company based in Vestfold og Telemark with headquarters in Seljord. The company operates regional and express buses, and through subsidiaries also trucks. They operate routes in the municipalities o ...
, serving western and middle parts of the region, and
Nettbuss
Vy Buss, formerly branded as Nettbuss, is the largest bus company in Norway, owned by Vy. It was established on 10 February 2000 as the continuation of the bus operations from former NSB Biltrafikk. In addition to bus services in major parts of ...
which serves the middle, eastern and southern parts of the region.
Drangedal Bilruter serves the
Vestmar region.
Population
The largest population centres are
Skien,
Porsgrunn
is a city and municipality in Telemark in the county of Vestfold og Telemark in Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Porsgrunn.
The municipality of Porsgrun ...
,
Notodden,
Rjukan and
Kragerø
Kragerø () is a town and municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional regions of Grenland and the smaller Vestmar. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kragerø. The city of Kra ...
. Other important places are
Bø,
Seljord,
Fyresdal and
Vinje.
Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1970). It shows an old type of
battle axe
A battle axe (also battle-axe, battle ax, or battle-ax) is an axe specifically designed for combat. Battle axes were specialized versions of utility axes. Many were suitable for use in one hand, while others were larger and were deployed two-ha ...
, significant for the county.
Notable people from Telemark
*
Myllarguten (1801–1872), legendary fiddler born in
Sauherad
*
Aasmund Olavsson Vinje (1818–1870), author born in
Vinje
*
Sondre Norheim (1825–1897), father of
skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee ( ...
born in
Morgedal
Morgedal is a village in the municipality of Kviteseid, Telemark, Norway. The village gas been described as the "cradle of skiing".
Morgedal, Norway is a village whose most famous residents were Sondre Norheim, known to be the father of modern s ...
,
Kviteseid
*
August Cappelen (1827–1852), national romantic painter born in
Skien
*
Snowshoe Thompson
John Albert Thompson (born Jon Torsteinsson Rue; April 30, 1827 – May 15, 1876), nicknamed Snowshoe Thompson, an early resident of the Sierra Nevada of Nevada and California, was a Norwegian-American considered to be the father of California ...
(Jon Torsteinson-Rue) (1827–1876),
American pioneer
American pioneers were European American and African American settlers who migrated westward from the Thirteen Colonies and later United States to settle in and develop areas of North America that had previously been inhabited or used by Nati ...
[ ] and father of
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee ( ...
*
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Johan Ibsen (; ; 20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. As one of the founders of modernism in theatre, Ibsen is often referred to as "the father of realism" and one of the most influential pla ...
(1828–1906), author born in
Skien
*
John Anders Johnson
John Anders Johnson (April 15, 1832November 10, 1901) was a Norwegian American immigrant, businessman, and Republican politician. He served in the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly, representing eastern Dane County.
Biography
Johnson was bor ...
(1832–1901), American politician
*
Thorbjorn N. Mohn (1844–1899), American Lutheran church leader and first president of
St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American pastors and farmers led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after the King and the Patron Saint Olaf ...
*
Brynild Anundsen (1844–1913), founder of ''
Decorah Posten''
*
Marcus Olaus Bockman
Marcus Olaus Bockman (January 9, 1849 – July 21, 1942) was a Norwegian-American Lutheran theologian.
Background
Marcus Olaus Bockman was born Marcus Olaus Bøckmann at Langesund in Bamble municipality, Telemark county, Norway. He was educated a ...
(1849–1942), Norwegian-American Lutheran theologian
*
Herbjørn Gausta (1854–1924), American artist. Born in Vestfjørddalen
*
Theodor Kittelsen (1857–1914), artist born in
Kragerø
Kragerø () is a town and municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional regions of Grenland and the smaller Vestmar. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kragerø. The city of Kra ...
*
George Awsumb
George Awsumb (20 July 1880 – 24 November 1959) was a prominent Norwegian-American architect in the first half of the 20th century. Awsumb defined architecture as “frozen music” designed for the “man on the street.” He was influenced by ...
(1880–1959), architect born in
Skien
*
Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), politician, collaborationist leader during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
. Executed as a traitor, born in
Fyresdal
*
Aslaug Vaa
Aslaug Vaa (25 August 1889 – 28 November 1965) was a Norwegian poet and playwright. Her works contain elements from local tradition and landscape mixed with international influence.
Personal life
Aslaug Vaa was born on Nystog in Rauland, ...
(1889–1965), author born in
Rauland
Rauland is a former municipality in Telemark county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1860 until its dissolution in 1964. The area is now part of Vinje Municipality. The administrative centre was the village of Raulandsgrend (also known ...
*
Tarjei Vesaas (1897–1970), author born in
Vinje
*
Anne Grimdalen
Anne Grimdalen (1 November 1899 – 3 October 1961) was a Norwegian sculptor. She was born on the mountain farm Grimdalen in Skafså, Telemark, and later also lived and worked in the so-called ''Kunstnerdalen'' in Asker. She worked mainly wi ...
(1899–1961), sculptor born in Skafså,
Tokke
*
Eivind Groven (1901–1977), composer born in
Lårdal
Lårdal is a village in Tokke Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The village is located on the north shore of the lake Bandak and about south of the village of Høydalsmo and the European route E134 highway. The village is th ...
,
Tokke
*
Dyre Vaa
Dyre Vaa (19 January 1903 – 11 May 1980) was a Norwegian sculptor and painter.
Background
He was born in Kviteseid, Telemark, and later lived and worked in Rauland. He was the son of Tor Aanundsson Vaa (1864–1928) and Anne Marie Roholt ...
(1903–1980), sculptor born in
Vinje
*
Klaus Egge
Klaus Egge (July 19, 1906 – March 7, 1979) was a Norwegian composer and music critic.
Background
Egge was born in Gransherad, Telemark, Norway. He was the son Rasmus Klausen Egge (1874-1962) and Rakel Abrahamsdatter Iversen (1877-1986). He ...
(1906–1979), composer born in
Gransherad,
Notodden
*
Gunnar Sønsteby
Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby DSO ( 1918 – 10 May 2012) was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement during the German occupation of Norway in World War II. Known by the nickname "Kjakan" ("The Chin") and as "Agent No. 24", ...
, (1918–2012), war hero born in
Rjukan,
Tinn
*
Hans Herbjørnsrud
Hans Herbjørnsrud (born 2 January 1938) is a Norwegian author of short stories. His works frequently play with the differences between Norwegian languages Bokmål and Nynorsk and the various Norwegian dialects. His stories' characters sometime ...
(1938–), author born in
Heddal
Heddal is a village and parish in Notodden municipality in Telemark County, Norway.
History
The parish of ''Hitterdal'' was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Notodden was separated from Heddal both as a ...
,
Notodden
*
Tor Åge Bringsværd (1939–), author born in
Skien
*
Agnes Buen Garnås (1946–), musician born in
Jondal
*
Kåre Nordstoga (1954–), musician born in
Notodden
*
Bugge Wesseltoft
Jens Christian Bugge Wesseltoft (born 1 February 1964) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, composer, and producer, son of jazz guitarist Erik Wesseltoft.
Career
In 1989, Wesseltoft collaborated with the Knut Riisnæs Quartet and was soon after ...
(1964-), musician born in
Porsgrunn
is a city and municipality in Telemark in the county of Vestfold og Telemark in Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Porsgrunn.
The municipality of Porsgrun ...
*
Gisle Kverndokk (1967–), composer born in
Skien
*
Jørn Lande (1968–), hard rock / heavy metal singer born in
Rjukan
*
Bård Tufte Johansen
Bård Tufte Johansen (born 19 June 1969 in Skien) is a Norwegian comedian.
Together with Harald Eia, he has authored and participated in several successful NRK TV series, such as ''U:Natt'' (1994), starring with Monotelevision, '' Lille Lørda ...
(1969–), comedian born in
Skien
*
Odd Nordstoga (1972–), musician born in
Vinje
*
Frode Johnsen
Frode Johnsen (born 17 March 1974) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played for Odd and Rosenborg in the Tippeligaen and for Nagoya Grampus and Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan. He played in several positions, but was preferred as a ...
(1974–), footballer born in
Skien
*
Terje Haakonsen Terje may refer to:
*Terje (name), a form of the Scandinavian name Torgeir
*Tria ( hu, Terje), a village in the commune of Derna, Bihor
Derna ( hu, Felsőderna) is a commune in northeastern Bihor County, Crișana, Romania, 50 km from the cou ...
(1974–), snowboarder born in
Vinje
*
Ihsahn (Vegard Sverre Tveitan) (1975–), black/extreme metal musician born in
Notodden
Districts
The county is conventionally divided into traditional districts. Traditionally the county is mainly divided into
Upper Telemark (historically called simply Telemark or more recently Telemark proper) and
Grenland. Upper Telemark is sometimes subdivided into
Vest-Telemark and
Aust-Telemark Aust-Telemark is a traditional district in the county of Vestfold og Telemark in Norway.
It comprises three municipalities: Hjartdal, Notodden and Tinn. The largest population centres in the region are the cities Notodden and Rjukan, of which Noto ...
. The name
Lower Telemark
Lower may refer to:
*Lower (surname)
*Lower Township, New Jersey
*Lower Receiver (firearms)
*Lower Wick
Lower Wick is a small hamlet located in the county of Gloucestershire, England. It is situated about five miles south west of Dursley, eigh ...
traditionally refers to Grenland and
Midt-Telemark
Midt-Telemark is a traditional district of Norway situated in Vestfold og Telemark county.
It comprises three municipalities: Bø, Sauherad and Nome. The largest population centres in the region are Bø, Ulefoss, Bjervamoen and Gvarv, of whi ...
, but was more of an administrative region than a cultural one. Regardless of definition, Upper Telemark constitutes the largest part by far. For example, the modern provostship of Upper Telemark comprises 12 municipalities and more than 80% of Telemark, also including Midt-Telemark.
An additional district,
Vestmar is disputed. The district borders of this county are highly overlapping and to a certain extent undefined and/or disputed.
Municipalities
Cities
*
Brevik
*
Kragerø
Kragerø () is a town and municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional regions of Grenland and the smaller Vestmar. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kragerø. The city of Kra ...
*
Langesund
*
Notodden
*
Porsgrunn
is a city and municipality in Telemark in the county of Vestfold og Telemark in Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Porsgrunn.
The municipality of Porsgrun ...
*
Rjukan
*
Skien
*
Stathelle
Parishes
* Atrå
* Austbygdi
*
Bamble
* Brevik
* Brunkeberg
* Bø
* Dal
* Drangedal
* Eidanger
*
Eidsborg
* Flatdal
* Fyresdal
*
Gjerpen
* Gransherad
* Grungedal
*
Heddal
Heddal is a village and parish in Notodden municipality in Telemark County, Norway.
History
The parish of ''Hitterdal'' was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Notodden was separated from Heddal both as a ...
* Helgen
*
Herre
* Hitterdal, see Heddal
* Hjartdal
* Holla (Hollen)
* Hovin
* Hægland
* Høydalsmo
* Kilebygda
* Kragerø
* Kroken, see Drangedal
*
Kviteseid (Hvidesøe)
*
Old Kviteseid (Hvidesøe)
* Langesund
* Lisleherad (Lilleherred)
* Lunde
* Lårdal
* Mo
* Moland
* Mæl
* Mælum
* Møsstrand
* Nes
* Nesland
* Nissedal
* Notodden
*
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Porsgrunn
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church ( no, Vår Frue av det Gode Råds Kirke) is a Roman Catholic parish church in the city of Porsgrunn in Vestfold og Telemark, Norway.
The church is located in the center of town just south of Porsgrunn River, at ...
* Porsgrunn
* Rauland
* Rjukan
* Sannidal (Sannikedal)
* Saude
* Sauherad (Saude)
* Sauland
* Seljord
* Siljan
* Skafså
*
Skien
*
Skåtøy
''Skåtøy is the largest island in Kragerø municipality in Telemark county, Norway.
Skåtøy was formerly a municipality. Skåtøy was separated from Sannidal January 1, 1882. It was merged with Kragerø January 1, 1960.
Skåtøy is the bigg ...
* Slemdal, see Siljan
* Solum
* Stathelle
* Tinn
* Treungen
* Tuddal
* Tørdal (Tørrisdal)
* Vestre Porsgrunn
* Veum
* Vinje
* Vrådal
* Ytre Flåbygd
*
Østre Porsgrunn
* Øyfjell
* Åmotsdal
* Brevik Branch (LDS, 1852–1864)
* Langesund Branch (LDS, 1852–1907)
* Skien (Frie Apostoliske, 1856–1892)
* Porsgrunn and Skien (Great Britain Consulate Birth Register, 1876–1891)
* Kragerø (Great Britain Death Register), 1895
Villages
*
Akkerhaugen
Akkerhaugen is the administrative centre of Sauherad
Sauherad is a former municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Midt-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Akker ...
*
Arabygdi
Arabygdi is a village in Vinje Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The village is located in the Rauland area at the western end of the lake Totak. The Norwegian County Road 362 passes through the village, connecting it to the v ...
* Austbygdi, Telemark, Austbygdi
* Bjervamoen
* Bolkesjø
* Bostrak
*
Brevik
* Brunkeberg (Telemark), Brunkeberg
*
Bø
* Dalen, Telemark, Dalen
* Edland
* Eidanger
* Eidsborg
* Eidstod
* Flatdal
* Folkestad, Bø, Folkestad
* Gautefall
* Gvarv
* Haukeli
*
Heddal
Heddal is a village and parish in Notodden municipality in Telemark County, Norway.
History
The parish of ''Hitterdal'' was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Notodden was separated from Heddal both as a ...
* Helle, Telemark, Helle
* Henneseid
* Herre, Norway, Herre
* Hjuksebø
* Hjuksevelta
* Holtsås
* Hoppestad
* Hovin, Telemark, Hovin
* Høydalsmo
* Jomfruland
* Kil, Telemark, Kil
* Klovholt
* Landsverk
* Langangen
* Lunde, Telemark, Lunde
*
Lårdal
Lårdal is a village in Tokke Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The village is located on the north shore of the lake Bandak and about south of the village of Høydalsmo and the European route E134 highway. The village is th ...
* Miland
* Neslandsvatn
* Nissedal
* Nordagutu
* Portør
* Prestestranda
*
Rauland
Rauland is a former municipality in Telemark county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1860 until its dissolution in 1964. The area is now part of Vinje Municipality. The administrative centre was the village of Raulandsgrend (also known ...
* Rudsgrendi
* Sannidal
* Sauland
* Skotfoss
* Skåtøy
* Sneltvedt
* Snurråsen
* Tinnoset
* Treungen
* Tuddal
* Tveitsund
* Tørdal
* Ulefoss
* Vadfoss
* Valebø
* Vinjesvingen
* Vrådal
* Yli
* Øyane
* Øyfjell
* Åfoss
* Åmdals Verk
* Åmotsdal
Former municipalities
*
Brevik
*
Bø
* Eidanger
* Gjerpen
*
Gransherad
*
Heddal
Heddal is a village and parish in Notodden municipality in Telemark County, Norway.
History
The parish of ''Hitterdal'' was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Notodden was separated from Heddal both as a ...
* Holla, Telemark, Holla
* Hovin, Telemark, Hovin
*
Langesund
* Lunde, Telemark, Lunde
*
Lårdal
Lårdal is a village in Tokke Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The village is located on the north shore of the lake Bandak and about south of the village of Høydalsmo and the European route E134 highway. The village is th ...
* Mo, Telemark, Mo
*
Rauland
Rauland is a former municipality in Telemark county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1860 until its dissolution in 1964. The area is now part of Vinje Municipality. The administrative centre was the village of Raulandsgrend (also known ...
* Sannidal
*
Sauherad
* Skåtøy
* Solum, Norway, Solum
*
Stathelle
Further reading
*
*
References
External links
Telemark countyDestination Marketing Organization for TelemarkVestfold og Telemark county
{{Authority control
Telemark,
Former counties of Norway
2020 disestablishments in Norway
Petty kingdoms of Norway
States and territories disestablished in 2020