Gran, Norway

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Gran farm (Old Norse: Grǫn), since the first church was built there. The name is identical with the word grǫn which means "spruce".

Economy

The economy of the municipality was in 2002 of 24,098 kr in free income per inhabitant, and net debt per inhabitant was NOK 41,835 (also municipal economy, not private). Health care spendings represents about one third of the total budget, which is 7.5 per cent higher than the average for Norway.

Geography

Gran is part of the Hadeland region. It is bordered to the north by the municipalities of Søndre Land and Vestre Toten, to the east by Hurdal and Nannestad, to the south by Lunner and Jevnaker, and to the west by Ringerike. Areas of concentrated population include Moen, Brandbu, Gran, and Jaren.

History

Granavollen is the site of the Sister Churches (Norwegian: Søsterkirkene). These two stone churches are from the Middle Ages and were constructed side by side. The smaller and older is the Mariakirke, a single nave church built in the Romanesque style, built sometime before 1150.  The neighbouring Nikolaikirke is a three-aisled basilica, probably inspired by the construction of the St. Halvardskirke in Oslo. It was built sometime between 1150 and 1200. According to local folklore, the churches were built by two sisters. These two detested each other so much they could not share the same church. A more likely explanation however, is that the Mariakirke was built for the local congregation, while the Nikolaikirke was the main church for Hadeland parish. The Granavollen stone is located behind the Nikolaikirken.
Tingelstad old church (Tingelstad St.Petri Kirke) is another medieval stone church.  It is a Romanesque stone church,  dated to the 12th century and dedicated to St.Peter.  This church has survived even though it has not been in regular use for some 140 years.
This is also the location of Hadeland Folkemuseum with a collection of buildings from the area, farm implements as well as a grave mound from the Viking Era and a replica of the 11th century Dynna Runestone (Dynnasteinen). It also holds an archive of photographs and documents.