Skatval

Skatval is a village in the municipality of Stjørdal, Norway. Its population is about 2000. The inhabitants are characterized as "Skatvalsbygg".

Geography

The southwestern coast of the peninsula was called Aglo during the viking age. January 1, 1902 the landscape changed name from Skatvold to Skatval, and became an independent administrative unit by the splitting of Nedre Stjørdal. January 1st, 1962 Skatval again became a part of Stjørdal .

The peninsula is an important farming area, belonging to the plain districts of Trøndelag. The cultural landscape is dominated in the east by mountainous area with the highest top of Forbordsfjell at 596 meters m.s.l. The mountain top is a landmark in Trøndelag.

Skatval is divided in several geographical parts; here counterclockwise from north:
*Langstein
*Nordbygda
*Sørbygda
*Midtbygda
*Vassbygda

History

In autumn 962, Sigurd Håkonsson Ladejarl (the ruling Earl of Trøndelag and surrounding areas) and his party were burnt to death by the Erikssønene (sons of Eric Bloodaxe), among them Harald Greyhide, while staying the night at a party at Oglo (Aglo), according to the "Heimskringla" by Snorri Sturlasson. The remains of Steinvikholm Castle, built during the 1530s by Norway's last Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson, are under restoration. The fortress, innovative in design, played a major part as the last stronghold for Norwegian independence during the reformation in the Danish-Norwegian union. The islet situated at the northern coast of Skatval is also the place for the yearly outdoor midnight opera "Olav Engelbrektsson".

Sports

Community spirit has made it possible to build many sport arenas, among which:

* Klempen ski arena; lighted cross country track, biathlon shooting range and several ski jumps, some with summer capabilities.
* Langstein; lighted cross country track.
* Framnes; artificial turf football field with flood lights.
* Skatvalshallen; indoor sports hall.
* Skjervold; tennis court.

The community takes great pride in its football team, IL Fram. This team plays in the 4th division of the Norwegian tippeliga. One of its foremost members, Bjørn Johan Nytrø, has played on this team since he was boy, only interrupted by playing a period for Rosenborg B.K. in Trondheim.

Persons

Some famous persons from Skatval:

* Per Egil Hegge - Journalist, editor of Aftenposten
* Marit Arnstad - Politician, former Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy
* Morten Thyholt - Artist www.mortenarts.com

Links

* [http://www.skatval.no/images/kartstort.html Skatval map]
* [http://www.skatval.no/Historielaget/English/E-forsteside.html Skatval Historical Society]
* [http://www.steinvikopera.no Olav Engelbrektsson Midnight Opera]