Ringsaker is Norway´s largest farming district. Ringsaker muncipality has approximately 33.500 inhabitants and covers a area of 1.281,1 km2. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Brumunddal. Farming and forestry have always been important for settling and employment in Ringsaker. And everything else here is “big”, ranging from friendly shorelines with rocky islets, through rolling fields and meadows, hill slopes and rock-faces, to moors and mountains, truly a Norway in miniature. The large farms of Ringsaker are among the oldest in the country. Several of them are mentioned in the Old Norse sagas, and when they open their doors for guests the term “farm tourism” takes on a new dimension traditional food in splendid surroundings, with guided tours of the buildings illustrating the history and cultural heritage of Norway.
BRUMUNDDAL
Brumunddal is the largest settlement in the Ringsaker municipality. It is a small, densely populated area surrounded by scenic countryside and farms on the eastern shore of Norway´s largest lake Mjøsa. Other attractions include the rolling hills of Veldre, which offer spectacular views over the lake and lower lands. The town is situated at the end of river Brumunda, running from the highlands into lake Mjøsa. It lies a few kilometres north of Hamar. The dominant industries are agriculture, ore refining, and tourism.
Brumunddal have a spesial accommodation in the Tree Top Huts. The owner versatile interest in nature and outdoor experiences triggered the ideas of Tree Top Huts in the almenning forests of Veldre. Veldre is mostly highly productive farmland and pine forest. The top of the Houmbs-høgda offers a splendid view over the Hedemarken district and southern parts of lake Mjøsa.
FURNES
Furnes is a village merged with Ringsaker January 1, 1964. Furnes is situated between Hamar and Brumunddal. Furnes´s own parish and church (Furnes kirke) were consecrated in 1707. Furnes is a cruciform church which has 550 seats. The church was built partially of stone from the Cathedral Ruins in Hamar. The pulpit was made in 1709. The church tower and spire were repaired and enlarged in 1811-12. The church was reconstructed during 1876 under the direction of architect Paul Due. The altarpiece was made for the restoration and was painted by Eilif Peterssen. During a restoration in 1914, the church also obtained four windows with glass paintings of the Four Evangelists.
The main attractions are Ringsakers geologi, Brumunddalssandstone, Stone carvings at Steinstranda west for Ringsaker Curch, close to Steinsholmen the ruins of Mjøskastellet built in 1233 – 1236 after a propertyfued between king Håkon Håkonsson (1204 – 1263) and Hamarbishop Pål (d. 1253). Mo Farm have given the name Moelven, Ringsaker Church, Alf Prøysen childhood home at Rudshøgda, mid between Brumunddal and Moelv. Ringsaker Vekter and Brannhistoriske Museum in the center of Moelv. Tolvsteinringen at Smestadsletta north of Moelv lies Ringsakers answer to Stonehenge – Tolvsteinringen or Tolvsteina. 12 bautastones in a cirkel. The cirkel measures 25 metres. Luddenhytta a cabin wich Ludvig “Ludden” Olestadengen (1887 – 1955) lived in most of his life. Out on Sjuguttmyra between Storstilen and Steinstilen lies a big stone, Sjuguttsteinen.
ALF PRØYSEN
The poet and troubador Alf Prøysen is dear to the hearts of all Norwegians. His lowly birthplace at Rudshøgda is a major tourist attraction. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the twentieth century, and he made significant contributions to literature, music, TV and radio. As the youngest of four children, Prøysen was very close to his mother Julie. His childhood was typical for those of the husmann class; the landless lower class of rural Norway.
This is reflected in his songs and short stories, where he draws realistic, satirical and harsh pictures of class relations and everyday life in rural Norway. His work includes the stories about Mrs. Pepperpot, a tiny lady who never knows when she is going to shrink to the size of a teaspoon. In the Norwegian original, she is known as Teskjekjerringa (the teaspoon lady).
PRØYSENHUSET MUSEUM
Prøysenhuset is a cultural center and museum on Rudshøgda. The museum is located not far from the home Præstvegen, where the poet Alf Prøysen grew up. The main part of the museum´s permanent exhibition which tells the story of Alf Prøysens life and work. The exhibition “Musehullet” (Mouse Hole) provides an experience of what it was like to be as small as a “teskje” (teaspoon). Here are all much larger than the visitors. Each year there is a Prøysen Festival “Blåklokkevikua”. Building was designed by architectural firm Snøhetta.
Mjøsa is Norway´s largest lake, as well as the one of the deepest lakes in Europe, after Hornindalsvatnet. From its southernmost point at Minnesund to its northernmost point in Lillehammer it is 117 km long. At its widest, near Hamar, it is 15 km wide.
The cities of Hamar, Gjøvik, and Lillehammer were founded along the shores of the lake. Before the construction of railways past the lake, it was an important transport route. Today, aside from minor leisure boating and the steamship Skibladner, there is no water traffic on the lake. Most of its shores are dominated by rolling agricultural areas, among them some of the most fertile grainlands in Norway. From the south European route E6 runs along the eastern shore of the lake until the Mjøsa Bridge connects Moelv on the east with Biri on the west.
SKIBLADNER
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.
RINGSAKER CHURCH
Ringsaker Church is a 12th century building universally acclaimed as on of Norway´s most beautiful churches. Inside the church is an impressive prereformation reredos with more than 100 guilded figures.
VELDRE CHURCH
The new Veldre church will be made of white wood panneling, just as the old one was. It will have a tower and a spire and, like the old church, it will rise 84 ft. above the ground. The location is perfect, near the graveyard and close to the main road in a rich cultural landscape with a fantastic view of Lake Mjøsa and its intimate yet majestic surroundings.
MOELVEN INDUSTRIER
Moelven Industrier is a center for timber processing industry in Norway. Moelven provides 1000 jobs in the region.
SJUSJØEN
The Sjusjøen area, with its hotels, mountain lodges, chalets and outdoor facilities is a popular place for mountain lovers throughout the seasons. At its best, with spectacular sunshine, Sjusjøen can offer an almost unlimited number of alternatives. In the winter there are more than 350 km of well-prepare skiing tracks, and corresponding rambling trails in the summer.
SKIING
There are more than 350 km of prepared tracks in the Sjusjøen area, of which about 100 km are prepared for ski skating. The snow conditions are always stable from November and through to the end of April. The ski tracks are marked in the rerrain with stakes. The region offers varied ski possibilities and direct tracks to Lillehammer, Øyer and the Olympic ski tracks. The tracks run in the mountains and through forests. With Sjusjøen Skisenter we can offer a complete package for the whole family. The Alpine centre has 4 ski lifts and 9 descents.
FISHING
Lake Mjøsa has 20 species of fish. Among the most common are pike, European perch, common roach, greyling and the Hundertrout, a Brown Trout which can reach a weight of more than 20kg. Another common species is the European smelt, which is the most important baitfish for the predators. Historically, the most economically significant species is the Lågsild (European cisco).
GOLF
Golfclubs in Hedmark.