Jessheim

Summary

Jessheim is a town in the Ullensaker municipality in Akershus of Norway.

Jessheim
Town
Nickname: 
Flyplassbyen ("The Airport Town")
Jessheim is located in Norway
Jessheim
Jessheim
Location within Norway
Coordinates: 60°9′N 11°11′E / 60.150°N 11.183°E / 60.150; 11.183
CountryNorway
CountyAkershus
DistrictRomerike
MunicipalityUllensaker
Area
 • Total7.52 km2 (2.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total21 598
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
2053

History edit

The railway station with the Jessheim station was built in 1854 as part of the Hovedbanen line from Oslo to Eidsvoll. The railroad had at the initial construction of the railroad in 1854 called the stop "Trøgstad", but because of confusion with the town name Trøgstad in Østfold, the name was changed in 1897 to "Jessum". This name was used blasphemically, for example by military recruits who said they had passed through Bøn (town north of Jessheim) which sounds like "prayer" in Norwegian to Jessum, which could sound like Jesus. The priests in the area complained to the bishop who in 1900 brought the case up with the local council and suggested the form "Jessheim". The name was changed to "Jesseim". In 1920 the railroad changed the spelling to the current form, Jessheim.

Facilities and landmarks edit

Jessheim is a center for commerce and regional service functions at Øvre Romerike. The area also has some industry such as a concrete factory that utilizes the sand and gravel resources in the area as well as a wood products manufacturer. Jessheim Storsenter (mall) located in the center of town, is one of the biggest shopping malls in Norway. [1]

Jessheim is also home to Ullensaker Kulturhus which is a cultural center with a library and cinema. West of the town is the old royal burial mound Raknehaugen which dates back to between AD 533 and 551. [2] [3]

Etymology edit

The name "Jessheim" is from Norse Jasseimr or Jesseímr where the first part has unknown origin, while the second part (heimr) means home. It is also possible that the first part "Jess" can mean jarl or jarls (earls). The name was originally used for the Hovin parish.

Population edit

As at January 2020, Jessheim's population was estimated to be 21,598.[4]

Transport edit

Jessheim Station (Jessheim stasjon) is located on the main track of Norway's first railroad, completed in 1854, and formed the foundation for the later town. From Jessheim trains go north to Dal and south to Oslo. The E6 highway runs past on the west side of the town. Distance to Oslo is 41 km along this road, distance along the railroad is 45 km. Jessheim is also an important crossroad between Riksvei 35 westward to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen and Hønefoss, Riksvei 174 to Nannestad and Hurdal, and eastward to Kongsvinger (Riksvei 2). [5]

Sports edit

As of 2016 the local football (soccer) team Ullensaker/Kisa plays in the professional Norwegian First Division.

Notable locals edit

See also edit

  • Category:People from Jessheim

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Jessheim Storsenter". Visit Norway. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Historikk". Ullensaker Kulturhus. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Frans-Arne Stylegar. "Raknehaugen". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Statistics Norway
  5. ^ "Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL)". Visit Norway. Retrieved September 1, 2018.