Hamar, Norway

Hamar is a fascinating historic town that saw itself as one of the major power centres in Norway throughout the Middle Ages.

Between 500 and 1000AD, the Åker farm was one of the most important power centres in Norway, located just a few km away from today’s town of Hamar. At some point in the 11th century, the centre was moved from Åker to the peninsula on the Lake Mjøsa. It is believed King Harald Hardråde initiated the move because he had a property on the peninsula.

After the Christianisation of Norway in 1030, Hamar began to gain influence as a centre for trade and religion. The “Hamar Kaupangen” or “Hamar Market” was founded as one of the five dioceses in medieval Norway. The first bishop of Hamar was Arnold, Bishop of Gardar, Greenland, and he began to build the (now ruined) Cathedral of the Christ Church. The Hamar Cathedral was constructed of locally quarried limestone in the Romanesque style, though later additions were in the Gothic architecture.

Hamar quickly developed into an important religious and political centre in Norway, organised around the cathedral and the bishop’s manor until the Reformation took place. After the Reformation, Hamar lost its status as the seat of the Diocese after the last Catholic Bishop, Mogens Lauritssøn, was taken prisoner in his castle at Hamar, before being sent to Denmark. The cathedral was still used as a regular church, but fell into disrepair culminating with the Swedish army’s siege and attempted demolition in 1567, during the Northern Seven Years’ War.

In 1587, Hamar’s market activities were moved to Oslo, and by the 17th century Hamar more or less ceased to exist. Parts of the town were used for agriculture, but the ruins of the cathedral and fortress were already known landmarks.

In 1755, the Danish government wanted to establish a trading centre on the shores of Lake Mjøsa. These negotiations took several decades, and on the 8th of June 1815 it was decided to establish Lillehammer rather than rebuild Hamar. However, as steamboats were introduced onto the lake, people developed an interest in medieval Hamar, and from 1841 onwards there was discussion on re-establishing the town. On 26 April 1848, the king signed into law the establishment of Hamar.