Kragerø (; ) is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is located in the traditional districts of Grenland and the smaller Vestmar. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kragerø. Villages in Kragerø include Helle, Vadfoss, Kil, and Portør.
The municipality is the 262nd largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Kragerø Municipality is the 111th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of . The municipality's population density is and its population has decreased by 2.2% over the previous 10-year period.
In the days of the sailing ships, the town of Kragerø was one of Norway's largest port cities. The London-based newspaper The Independent, published an article on Kragerø stating that "When Norwegians want to get away from it all they head for Kragero. Forests, fjords and islands await them at the place where Edvard Munch found peace and relaxation." The population of Kragerø Municipality quadruples during its summer months due to high tourism. Edvard Munch fell in love with Kragerø in his time, and called it "The Pearl of the Coastal Towns" () In 2002, The Independent published an article on the region's coastline saying that "It may not have many sandy beaches, but the coast of Norway offers sophistication and stunning scenery."
General information
Administrative history The formannskapsdistrikt law of 1837 created a system of local government in Norway by establishing each town (ladested or kjøpstad) and each Church of Norway prestegjeld as a civil municipality. On 1 January 1838, the kjøpstad of Kragerø was established as Kragerø Municipality. Since it had been a town since 1666, the small town was granted self-governing rights under this new law. Originally, Kragerø Municipality was an enclave and it was fully surrounded by Sannikedal Municipality.
On 1 January 1861, an area of Sannikedal Municipality (population: 857) that was adjacent to the growing town of Kragerø was annexed and transferred into Kragerø Municipality. On 1 January 1891, an area of Skaatø Municipality (population: 809) that was adjacent to the growing town of Kragerø was annexed and transferred into Kragerø Municipality.
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1960, the following areas were merged to form an enlarged Kragerø Municipality:
all of Kragerø Municipality (population: ) all of Sannidal Municipality (population: ) all of Skåtøy Municipality (population: )
In 2020, there were many municipal and county mergers across Norway due to the work of the Solberg cabinet. Historically, this municipality was part of Telemark county. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became a part of the newly-formed Vestfold og Telemark county (after Telemark and Vestfold counties were merged). The merger was shortlived, and on 1 January 2024, the merger was undone and this municipality became part of Telemark county once again.
Name The municipality (originally the town of Kragerø) is named after the island of Kragerø () since the town was built on the island and mainland near it. The first element is which means "crow". The last element is which means "island". The Norwegian spelling would have a k instead of the g, but Kragerø uses the Danish form of the name, established in the 17th century.
Coat of arms Kragerø received town privileges as a kjøpstad in 1666. Upon being granted this status, the town was given an obligation to provide a galley with five canons to the King for use in the Navy. From 1666 until 1842, Kragerø was dependent on the nearby town of Skien and had to pay taxes to Skien. Because of this, Kragerø used a seal which was identical to that of Skien depicting two skis, a cross, and flower decorations. After 1842, Kragerø began using a galley as its seal.
The coat of arms was granted on 28 January 1938 for the town of Kragerø and they were re-granted on 13 May 1960 after a municipal merger creating the present Kragerø Municipality. The official blazon is "Sable, a galley argent" (). This means the arms have a black field (background) and the charge is a galley. The galley has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The arms were designed by Einar Foss after a sketch made by Olaf Lia. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.
Churches The Church of Norway has five parishes () within Kragerø Municipality. It is part of the Bamble prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.
Churches in Kragerø MunicipalityParish ()Church nameLocation of the churchYear builtHelleHelle ChurchHelle1981KragerøKragerø ChurchKragerø1870LevangsheiaStøle ChurchStøle1892SannidalSannidal ChurchKil1772SkåtøySkåtøy ChurchSkåtøy1862
Geography Kragerø Municipality is the southernmost municipality in Telemark county. To the southwest, it borders Risør Municipality (in Agder county); to the west is Gjerstad Municipality (also in Agder county); to the northwest is Drangedal Municipality; and to the northeast is Bamble Municipality. Kragerø Municipality is popular among Norwegians (as well as foreigners) as a vacation destination during the summer, when the population swells considerably.
The municipality includes 495 islands, islets, and skerries along with 4,000 leisure houses. There are also 190 freshwater lakes in the municipality. The main offshore islands include Tåtøy, Øya, Skåtøy, Langøy, Bærøy, Gumøy, Stråholmen, and Jomfruland. The Fossingfjord and Kilsfjord both are found in Kragerø. The large lake Toke is partially located in the northern part of KragerøThe highest point in the municipality is the tall mountain Store Valefjell, located on the border with Drangedal Municipality..
Climate The municipality of Kragerø lies in a transition zone between a humid continental and a temperate oceanic climate. The town of Kragerø, sees average temperatures from to in January and February, and about during July. The maritime location of Jomfruland Lighthouse leads to a more temperate climate than found in the town of Kragerø.
Government Kragerø Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Telemark District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.
Municipal council The municipal council of Kragerø Municipality is made up of 35 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Mayors The mayor () of Kragerø Municipality is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. The following people have held this position:
1838–1842: Daniel Bremer Juell 1843–1843: Hans Kamstrup 1844–1844: Albert Biørn 1845–1846: Tellef Dahll Schweigaard 1847–1847: Folkman Freck 1848–1848: Hans Biørn Wenneberg 1849–1849: Hans Schaanning 1850–1850: L. Larsen 1851–1851: Hans Schaanning 1852–1852: L. Larsen 1853–1853: Thomas Doran 1854–1854: Lars Bastian Ridder Stabell 1855–1855: Thomes Thomesen 1856–1856: Hans Biørn Wenneberg 1857–1858: Christian Rømer 1859–1859: Peter Bredsdorff 1860–1860: Hans Doran 1861–1862: Halvor Andreas Bentsen 1863–1863: Christian Homann 1864–1864: Thomes Thomesen 1865–1866: Lauritz Bentzon Thrap 1867–1867: Halvor Andreas Bentsen 1868–1868: Thomas Møller Wiborg 1869–1869: Christian Homann 1870–1870: Halvor Andreas Bentsen 1871–1871: Christian Homann 1872–1872: Peter Bredsdorff 1873–1874: Johan Dahll 1875–1875: Christian Rømer 1876–1876: Halvor Andreas Bentsen 1877–1878: Anton Larsen-Naur (H) 1879–1880: Fredrik J. Mürer 1881–1884: Anders Daae 1885–1885: Anton Larsen-Naur (H) 1886–1886: Nils August Synnestvedt 1887–1887: Christian Gierløff (H) 1888–1888: Jacob Aalborg 1889–1890: Anton Larsen-Naur (H) 1891–1891: Nils Christian Stockfleth Aall 1892–1894: Søren Anton Wenneberg 1895–1900: Carl Bundi (V) 1901–1905: Ambortius Lindvig (V) 1906–1907: Nicolay Wiborg (SmP) 1908–1910: Godske Nielsen (H) 1911–1913: Hartvig Johnsen (AvH) 1914–1915: Knud Emanuel Olsen 1916–1916: Nicolay Wiborg (FV) 1917–1919: Rolf Svendsen (AvH) 1920–1920: Hartvig Johnsen (AvH) 1921–1921: Christen Eriksen Berg (V) 1922–1922: Einar Juell (H) 1923–1925: Anders Jørgensen (AvH) 1926–1932: Anders Eide (H) 1933–1934: Thorvald Naper (H) 1935–1937: Tor Kivle (Ap) 1938–1940: Daniel Bull (H) 1941–1941: Henry Karlsen (NS) 1941–1943: A.E. Abrahamsen (NS) 1943–1944: L.P. Thoresen (NS) 1944–1945: Olav Kvaalen (NS) 1945–1945: Daniel Bull (H) 1946–1946: Petter Bentsen (Ap) 1946–1957: Thorbjørn Nilsen (Ap) 1957–1959: Reidar Soløy (Ap) 1960–1963: Arne Midgaard (Ap) 1964–1975: Thorleif Knutsen (Ap) 1976–1981: Einar Barland (KrF) 1982–1983: Per Espeli (H) 1984–1999: Magnar Kalseth (Ap) 1999–2003: Kari Fosso (H) 2003–2007: Erling Laland (Ap) 2007–2015: Kåre Preben Hegland (H) 2015–2019: Jone Blikra (Ap) 2019–2023: Grunde Wegar Knudsen (Sp) 2023-present: Charlotte Therkelsen (R)
Notable people
Anton Martin Schweigaard (1808–1870), a jurist and economic reformer Henriette Homann (1819–1892), a photographer and painter. Nels Anderson (born 1828), a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly Johan Christian Heuch (1838–1904), a Bishop of the Diocese of Agder Theodor Kittelsen (1857–1914), a painter who also illustrated fairy tales, legends, and trolls Hans Daae (1865–1926), a physician, military officer and sports official Johan Søhr (1867–1949), a jurist and police officer Thomas Krag (1868–1913), a novelist, playwright and writer of short stories Samson Eitrem (1872–1966), a philologist, expert in ancient literature, religion and magic Edvard Amundsen (1873–1928), a Lutheran missionary in China and Tibet and an explorer Inge Debes (1882–1945), a jurist, editor, and politician Ronald Fangen (1895–1946), a novelist, playwright, psalmist, journalist, and literary critic Eugen Skjønberg (1889–1971), an actor. Retrieved 26 January 2021 Kirsten Heiberg (1907–1976), a Norwegian/German actress and singer. Retrieved 26 January 2021 Else Heiberg (1910–1972), an actress. Retrieved 26 January 2021 Ole Myrvoll (1911–1988), a professor of economics, liberal politician, and Minister of Finance Carsten Hopstock (1924–2014), an art historian who was the curator of Norwegian Museum of Cultural History Alf Cranner (1936–2020), a folk singer, lyricist and painter who lived in Kragerø from the 1960s Robert Mood (born 1958), a Major General and Head of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS)
Sport Olaf Ørvig (1889–1939), a sailor and team gold medalist at the 1920 Summer Olympics Knut Lundstrøm (born 1951), an athlete and winter paralympian Geir Borgan Paulsen (born 1957), an IFBB Pro bodybuilder Preben Fjære Brynemo (born 1977), a Nordic combined skier who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities Kragerø has sister city agreements with the following places: Mariehamn, Åland, Finland Slagelse, Region Sjælland, Denmark Valkeakoski, Western Finland, Finland Visby, Gotland County, Sweden
References
External links Municipal fact sheet from Statistics Norway Kragerø Municipality Kragerø city Gigapan from Kragerø From Kragerø: The Incredible Influence of Theodor Kittelsen on Black Metal