Flesberg

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Flesberg is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway, located in the Numedal region. The administrative centre is the village of Lampeland. The area covers about 560 square kilometers, and most people live in four villages: Svene, Lampeland, Flesberg, and Lyngdal. The local economy is mainly forestry and farming, with a nearby cluster of high‑tech industries in Kongsberg.

Etymology
The name Flesberg comes from the old Flesberg farm. In Old Norse, it meant a place where rock and a mountain meet—the first part of the name refers to rock, and the second to a mountain.

Coat of arms
Flesberg’s coat of arms was granted on 10 March 1989. It features two timber wedges (tømmerklaver) to symbolize forestry and the letter “F” for Flesberg.

History
The Flesberg stave church was built around the year 1250 and was rebuilt in 1735 in a cruciform style. The municipality of Flesberg was established on January 1, 1838. In 1964, the area of Jondalen was transferred from Flesberg to the neighboring municipality of Kongsberg.

Geography
Blefjell, a mountain area and popular tourist destination, lies in the western part of Flesberg. The municipality includes the parishes of Flesberg, Lyngdal, and Svene. The four main villages—Svene, Lampeland, Flesberg, and Lyngdal—are where most residents live.

Demographics
Around 2,500 people lived in Flesberg in 2004, with a population density of about 5 people per square kilometer. The demonym for residents is Flesberging.

Notable people
- Finn Qvale, military officer, cartographer, and sports official
- Jul Låg, scientist and soil researcher
- Hallvard Bakke, politician

Sister cities
Flesberg has several sister cities: Falkenberg, Sweden; Fosston, Minnesota, United States; Lejre, Denmark; and Savitaipale, Finland.

Official website
The municipality’s official website is flesberg.kommune.no.