Eidsvoll

On May 17th 1814, the Norwegian Constitution was signed in Eidsvoll. The building that housed the first parliament is preserved in all it´s grander. Among majestic old trees, you may walk through a piece of Norwegian history, and even stroll by Eidsvoll Church, and the residence where the Norwegian national poet, Henrik Wergeland, grew up. Eidsvoll municipality has approximately 19.920 inhabitants and covers a area of 456,6 km2. Farming and forestry have always been important for settling and employment in Eidsvoll. Norway is known for its celebration of the national day on the 17th of May. We can see children dressed in national costumes waving the Norwegian flag and shouting HURRAH !

The national day is a celebration of the Constitution. Eidsvoll Manor at Eidsvoll is the place where the Norwegian Constitution was worked out and signed on the 17th of May 1814. The Eidsvoll Manor is therefor very imortant for the Norwegian history, and it is one of the most famous and wellknown buildings in Norway; exciting due of course to the hitorical events in 1814 but also because its significant architecture.

The main attractions are the Eidsvoll Building, the Eidsivating stone monument, the Eidsvoll Rural Museum, the Mjøs Collection, the Skibladner paddle steamer. the Emerald Mines at Byrud Farm, Gullverket, Feiring Ironwork, Norwegian Center for Constitution, Eidsvoll bygdetun, Mistberget, Eidsvoll Church, Feiring Church, Langset Church and Råholt Church.

The most important motorways and main roads to and from the whole of Norway go through Akershus. Travelers by train, coach, car and boat to and from the area around Oslo have to pass through Akershus. There is a very good public transport system carrying large numbers of passengers between Akershus and the surrounding area daily, facilitating travel around the county. This provides an alternative to the big city, whether it's for just an afternoon trip or a longer stay. You can get to all parts of Akershus within one hour from the centre of Oslo. The most modern airport in Europe lies in Akershus Oslo International Airport Gardermoen.

THE EIDSVOLL MANOR

On 17 May 1814, the Norwegian Constitution was passed in Carsten Anker's home in Eidsvoll, now known as the Eidsvoll Building. An assembly of 112 men, statesmen, land owners, merchants, officers and farmers worked together to write the constitution of Norway, Europe's oldest unbroken constitution.

The Treaty of Kiel, 14 January 1814, was the background for the event. The King of Denmark, who was allied with Napoleon, was forced to relinquish control of Norway to Sweden. This released great political activity in Norway, and an independence party made sure that the liberal constitution was passed to secure the powers of the Storting. Meanwhile Sweden, supported by the big powers, forced the Norwegian politicians to co-operate and Norway had to enter the union with Sweden. The union lasted until 1905.

Today the building is a museum open to the public.

MJØSA

Mjøsa is Norways biggest lake. Approximately 100 km long and almost 500 metres deep. The Lake starts at Lillehammer in north, and ends with Minnesund in the south.

THE WHITE SWAN OF MJØSA

Just north of Eidsvoll lies Mjøsa, the largest lake in Norway. "The white swan of Mjøsa" was built in 1856. Skibladner is the world's oldest paddle steamer still in regular service. Originally intended as an extension of the railway which ended at Eidsvoll, it has plied the blue waters of the lake on its route to Hamar, Gjøvik and Lillehammer during all of the ensuing 140 years. Even the old steam engine from 1880 is still working! With expert help Skibladner has been painstakingly restored to its original splendour and is now a floating museum. It offers its passengers an unforgettable voyage along Norway's largest lake with views of the rolling hills and well-kept farms on the shores.

The food on board is excellent: the standard menu consists of fresh salmon and a strawberry dessert. The boat calls in at a number of landing-stages with good rail connections, so that passengers can choose the route that suits them. In regular service to and from Gjøvik, Hamar, Moelv and Lillehammer. Sailing season are mid May to mid September.

Skibladner's name come from the god Frøy's magical ship in ancient Norse mythology. The ship was built by Swedish Motala Shipyard and assembled at Minnesund in 1856. In 1888 she was refitted, lengthened by 20 feet and received a new triple-expansjion steam engine, which she has to the present day. Skiblander is 165 feet long, her beam 16.7 feet and her draft is 5.6 feet. Her operating speed is 12 knots at 42 rpm, max. number of passengers is 230.

BYRUD FARM

Join in an exiting emerald hunt, where yot get to keep any emeralds you find. Visit the souvenir shop, which sells hand-made emerald and stone products and much more. Situated by lake Mjøsa, close to Eidsvoll 1814. Sign-posted from the main road RV 33.