Sauherad


Sauherad is a 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 Akkerhaugen. The municipality borders Kongsberg, Skien, Nome, Bø, and Notodden.
The parish of Søfde was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. The area of Luksefjell was transferred from Sauherad to Gjerpen in 1847.

General information

Name

The municipality is named after the old Sauar farm, since the first church was built here. The name is the plural form of sauðr which means "spring" or "issue of water". The meaning of the combination Sauherad is "the district of Sauðar". Prior to 1918, the name was written "Saude" or "Søfde".

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times. They were granted in 1989. The arms show a gold-colored apple tree on a blue background. It was designed by Halvor Holtskog.

Transportation

Sauherad church

Sauherad church dates from the medieval era. The church was built between 1150 and 1250. The edifice is of stone and has 260 seats. The church is built in Romanesque style. On the ridge, in the middle of the gable roof, sits a turret. The church bells are from 1441. The altarpiece from 1663 is of Renaissance style. In 1781 the building was extended westward. In 1830 the church received a new interior. The frescoes in the nave were uncovered and restore during the 1940s and 1950s.

Attractions

Events

The following cities are twinned with Sauherad: