Langesund

Langesund
Town/City
View of the town
View of the town
Interactive map of Langesund
Coordinates: 59°00′02″N 9°44′55″E / 59.00066°N 9.74873°E / 59.00066; 9.74873
CountryNorway
RegionEastern Norway
CountyTelemark
DistrictGrenland
MunicipalityBamble Municipality
Established as 
Ladested1765–1963
Town (By)1997
Elevation
4 m (13 ft)
Demonym(s)Langesunder
Langesundar
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Post Code
3970 Langesund
Former municipality
Langesund ladested
Telemark within Norway
Telemark within Norway
Langesund within Telemark
Langesund within Telemark
CountryNorway
CountyTelemark
DistrictGrenland
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Disestablished1 Jan 1964
 • Succeeded byBamble Municipality
Administrative centreLangesund
Government
 • Mayor (1951–1963)Anton Baar (Ap)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total
1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi)
 • Rank#672 in Norway
Population
 (1963)
 • Total
2,290
 • Rank#394 in Norway
 • Density1,761.5/km2 (4,562/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +5.6%
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-0802

Langesund (Norwegian pronunciation: [lɑŋəˌsʉnn] ⓘ) is the administrative centre of Bamble Municipality in Telemark county, Norway. The town is located on a peninsula along the Langesundsfjorden near the Skagerrak coast. The town of Stathelle lies about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the northwest. The town was established as a ladested in 1765 and on 1 January 1838 it became a self-governing municipality. In 1964, it became part of Bamble Municipality.

For a long time, Langesund and the neighboring town of Stathelle have been grouped together as part of the Porsgrunn/Skien metropolitan area and because of this, the population and area data for this town has not been separately tracked by Statistics Norway. What is tracked, is the portion of the metropolitan area located in Bamble Municipality. In 2025, the Langesund/Stathelle area in Bamble Municipality measured 6.35 square kilometres (1,570 acres) and together they had a population of 10,563.

It is possible to visit the remains of the old Coastal Fortress on Langesundstangen on the extreme end of the Langesund peninsula. The fort was established during the Second World War by Nazi Germany and later used by the Norwegian Coastal Artillery and Home Guard until 1993.

Langesund is one of the most celebrated summer towns in Norway because of the large number of sunny days. It is also well known for Wrightegaarden, a building that hosts outdoor concerts every weekend the whole summer. Artists like Bob Dylan, A-ha, Elton John and Little Richard have played in Wrightegaarden. Langesund marks the border between Ytre Oslofjord and Skagerrak.

Government

In Norway, municipalities are the unit of local government. This means that cities and towns are simply designations for urban areas, but under current Norwegian law, they have no actual government authority. The town of Langesund lies within Bamble Municipality and is therefore governed by the municipal council of Bamble Municipality.

History

View of the Langesund Church

Langesund became its own customs center in 1570, and in the 1580s was considered the country's largest export port for timber, with a lot of shipping traffic particularly from Dutch schooners. The Dutch also worked on a large salt factory that King Christian IV had built on Langøya in 1602 to refine imported salt. In the early days, Langesund was one of the most important shipping towns in Norway.

In 1765, the growing village was granted rights as a ladested (town status). At the end of the 17th century, large shipbuilding was started. As the timber trade fell away, shipbuilding and shipping became the town's main industries. Peter Wessel Tordenskiold had one of his ships built in Langesund, the Løvendals Gallej. It was known as Longsound in English during the 1800s.

Name

The town is Langesund which means "the long strait". The first element is lang which means "long". The last element is sund which means "strait" or "sound".

Administrative history

The formannskapsdistrikt law of 1837 created a system of local government in Norway by establishing each town or city (ladested or kjøpstad) and each Church of Norway prestegjeld as a civil municipality. On 1 January 1838, the ladested of Langesund was established as Langesund Municipality.

On 1 January 1878, the island of Langøya, just off shore from the town (population: 22) was transferred from the neighboring Bamble Municipality to the town of Langesund. In 1949, the town was enlarged by annexing an adjacent area of Bamble Municipality (population: 127).

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, Langesund Municipality was dissolved and the following areas were merged to form an enlarged Bamble Municipality:

Municipal self-government (1838–1964)

While it existed, Langesund Municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the Bamble District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Mayors

The mayor (Norwegian: ordfører) of Langesund Municipality was the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. The following people have held this position:

  • 1838–18??: Ditlev Myhre Møller
  • 18??–18??: Johan August Thrane
  • 1847–18??: Immanuel Møller
  • 1855–18??: J.C. Knudsen
  • 18??–18??: Jørgen Wright
  • 18??–18??: H.N. Gundersen
  • 1862–1863: N.B. Petersen
  • 1864–1864: Fredrik Feilberg
  • 18??–18??: Andreas J. Mølbach
  • 18??–18??: Just Wright
  • 18??–18??: Christian Høy
  • 1879–1881: Johan Mølbach
  • 18??–18??: M.K. Brogaard
  • 1884–1886: Georg Jessen Hansen
  • 1886–1887: Hans P. Jacobsen
  • 1887–1891: Andreas Corneliussen
  • 1892–1896: Herman Skougaard (H)
  • 1897–1898: Andreas Corneliussen
  • 1898–1902: Fredrik Hegge (V)
  • 1902–1913: Herman Skougaard (H)
  • 1913–1914: Fredrik Hegge (V)
  • 1915–1916: Nils G. Willumsen
  • 1916–1919: Jacob Solgaard
  • 1919–1922: Daniel Grønn-Nilsen
  • 1922–1925: Johannes A. Hellstrøm (V)
  • 1925–1931: Hans Jacobsen
  • 1931–1932: Thorleif Thorsen
  • 1932–1934: Hans Jacobsen
  • 1935–1940: Thoralf M. Nilsen (Ap)
  • 1941–1941: Sven Svendsen (NS)
  • 1941–1945: Erling Ruud (NS)
  • 1945–1945: Thoralf M. Nilsen (Ap)
  • 1946–1946: Carl Olsen (V)
  • 1947–1951: Markus Olsen (V)
  • 1951–1963: Anton Baar (Ap)

Municipal council

The municipal council (Bystyre) of Langesund was made up of 21 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.

Langesund bystyre 1959–1963   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:21
Note: On 1 January 1964, Langesund Municipality became part of Bamble Municipality.
Langesund bystyre 1955–1959   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:21
Langesund bystyre 1951–1955   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:20
Langesund bystyre 1947–1951   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 3
Total number of members:20
Langesund bystyre 1945–1947   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:20
Langesund bystyre 1937–1941*   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 5
Total number of members:20
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.
Langesund bystyre 1935–1937   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 5
Total number of members:20

Attractions

The best-known landmark in Langesund is the Langøytangen Lighthouse, a lighthouse placed on the peak of Langøya, a kilometre-long island right outside of Langesund. The island group east of the town are called Arøya.

A short walk outside of the town centre, facing the Skagerrak strait, lies the decommissioned military fort known as Tangen Fortress.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 In the Norwegian language, the word by can be translated as "town" or "city".
  2. ↑ "Langesund, Bamble". yr.no. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1932. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m". Norsk Lovtidend (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norway: Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri: 453–471. 1932.
  4. ↑ "Informasjon om stadnamn". Norgeskart (in Norwegian). Kartverket. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Lundbo, Sten, ed. (29 June 2026). "Langesund". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå (27 October 2025). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
  7. ↑ Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (22 August 2026). "Byer i Norge". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  9. ↑ Grepstad, Jon, ed. (25 March 2025). "Nikolai Schei". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  10. ↑ Hansen, Tore; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (27 May 2024). "kommuneinndelingen i Norge". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  11. ↑ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (25 November 2024). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  12. ↑ Lund-Tangen, Jac (1949). Langesundsboka : heimstadslære (in Norwegian). Kragerø: Naper boktrykkeri. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "Bekjendtgjørelser". Correspondenten (in Norwegian). 10 April 1847. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "For Langesund". Adressetidende for Brevig, Stathelle, Langesund, Bamble og Eidanger (in Norwegian). 10 January 1855. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Extract". Adressetidende for Brevig, Stathelle, Langesund, Bamble og Eidanger (in Norwegian). 17 June 1863. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Extract". Adressetidende for Brevig, Stathelle, Langesund, Bamble og Eidanger (in Norwegian). 25 June 1864. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Bykommunenes Ordførervalg". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). 29 December 1879. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "I Langesund". Bratsberg Amtstidende (in Norwegian). 9 February 1886. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Formandsvalgene". Jarlsberg og Larviks Amtstidende (in Norwegian). 7 December 1886. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Bekjendtgjørelse. Ordførervalg". Adressetidende for Brevig, Stathelle, Langesund, Bamble og Eidanger (in Norwegian). 25 January 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Langesund den 9. Januar". Bratsberg Blad (in Norwegian). 9 January 1892. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "I Langesund". Fremskridt (in Norwegian). 13 January 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ordførervalg". Jarlsberg og Larviks Amtstidende (in Norwegian). 30 December 1899. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "I Langesund". Kysten (in Norwegian). 23 December 1902. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Langesund". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). 30 December 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "I Langesund". Vestmar (in Norwegian). 28 December 1916. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  27. ↑ "Ordførervalg". Avisen (in Norwegian). 30 December 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Langesund, 27. december". Social-Demokraten (in Norwegian). 28 December 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "Ordførervalg". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). 30 December 1926. p. 5. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Langesund". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). 30 December 1931. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  31. ↑ "Skibsreder Hans Jacobsen blev ordfører i Langesund". Porsgrunns Dagblad (in Norwegian). 30 December 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "Til ordfører i Langesund". Rjukan Arbeiderblad (in Norwegian). 15 January 1941. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  33. ↑ "Ny ordfører og varaordfører i Langesund". Porsgrunns Dagblad (in Norwegian). 11 November 1941. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 "Venstre fikk ordføreren og varaordføreren i Langesund". Porsgrunns Dagblad (in Norwegian). 22 December 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  35. ↑ "Arbeiderpartiet fikk ordføreren i Langesund". Varden (in Norwegian). 20 December 1951. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  36. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  37. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  38. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  39. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  40. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  41. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  42. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1934" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1935.