Nissedal Kommune
Pop. 1,442; Area 905 sq. km. (349 sq. mi.)
Church Parish: Nissedal
Historic Churches: Nissedal and Treungen
The kommune of Nissedal is most famous for its namesake, Lake Nisser, the largest lake in Telemark. The area has been populated for over 10,000 years, and ancient rock paintings and burial mounds can be found along the lake. Although the coat of arms of the kommune is a set of three red hats, traditionally associated with the folkloric nisse or tomte, the lake is named for its placement on the river Nidelva. Translated literally from Old Norse, its name means "the inland sea that feeds the river Nidelva." One of the few remaining cable ferries and Norway's smallest, Fjoneferja, connects the east and west sides of Lake Nisser.
At the southern tip of the lake, where it lets out into the river, lies the village of Treungen, its sole population center. It is the result of the expansion and eventual combination of two smaller villages, Treungen and Tveitsund. The community boasts a popular yearly music festival, Treungenfestival.
With five nature preserves, roughly 20 mountains, and 1750 lakes, the area is visited for every kind of outdoor recreation. Winter recreation is especially popular, and during the winter holidays, the population of Nissedal doubles. The potholes (jettegrytene) are a unique summer recreation destination. Revealed after the river Fyresån was dammed, these ice-age rock formations provide water sliding, swimming, and ledge jumping areas.
Due to emigration, the United States has more people who originated from Nissedal than Norway does.
Notable people from Nissedal:
Pastor Rolf Fjelstad (1849-1912) was a musician, inventor, and Lutheran Pastor who immigrated to Minnesota as a boy.
Jacob Gløersen (1852-1912) was a painter of Norwegian peasant life whose art is featured at the National Gallery of Norway.
Dagny Tande Lid (1903-1998) was a painter. poet and botanical illustrator. Norsk Flora, one of the first Norwegian botanical handbooks, was written by her botanist husband, and she illustrated each addition until 1994. Her art was also featured on stamps and tableware.
Telesoga Issues:
Mar 1917
Sept 1918
Nov 1983
Nov 1996
May 2004
Nov 2010
May 2016
Nov 2016
May 2019
Nov 2019
Nov 2022