Kristiansand, Norway

Kristiansand has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations near Oddernes Church outside of Kristiansand show that there have been rural settlements here since the BCs, and in 1996 a skeleton of a woman dating back to 6500BC was found in western Kristiansand. One of the largest pre-Christian burial grounds in southern Norway is located by Oddernes Church, and a royal centre is believed to have existed there since before 800.

Kristiansand is named after the Danish-Norwegian King Christian IV, who founded it in 1641. There has been a lively and active settlement since at least the 14th century, though. Shortly after the city’s founding, it became heavily fortified with the construction of a fortress. Christian IV also designed the city in a Renaissance grid plan.

Kristiansand emerged as an important shipbuilding port as well as trading centre. With the development of hydropower in southern Norway, Kristiansand eventually became an industrial base, especially with the establishment in 1910 of the nickel refinery.

During World War II, Kristiansand was attacked by German naval forces and the Luftwaffe on 9 April 1940. Kristiansand was bombed and the church tower was accidentally hit. Kristiansand was occupied by 800 Nazis during the war.