Åsane


Åsane is a borough of the city of Bergen in Vestland county, Norway. The borough makes up the northern part of the city, north of the city centre.
Åsane is connected to downtown Bergen by the E16/E39 highway. The E16 highway continues on through Åsane to the southeast to the neighboring borough of Arna. The E39 highway continues north through Åsane to the Nordhordland Bridge and then on to the northern municipalities in Vestland county. There are plans to shorten the E39 highway through Åsane, including the construction of two tunnels: Eikås Tunnel and the Nyborg Tunnel. Most buses passing through Åsane stop at the centrally located Åsane Terminal.

History

The area that is now the borough of Åsane was historically called Aasene and it was a parish in the large Hamre Municipality from 1838 until 1 January 1904, when it was separated from Hamre Municipality to become the new Åsane Municipality. The new Åsane Municipality existed from then until 1 January 1972 when it was merged into Bergen Municipality. The Åsane area was primarily an agricultural area until the 1960s-1970s when it was built up into a suburb of the city of Bergen. Centrally located in Åsane are the Gullgruven and Åsane Storsenter shopping centres, including a large IKEA store. Bergen Trotting track and Eikås Motorsport Centre are located at Haukås. The Bergen Jail is located at Hylkje in Åsane.

Geography

Åsane lies on a peninsula surrounded by the Byfjorden, Salhusfjorden, and Sørfjorden. The tall mountain Veten is located in the central part of the peninsula.

Villages and neighborhoods

The borough is somewhat rural in nature with several large developed villages and neighborhoods separated by forested mountains. Some of the larger village areas include Eidsvåg, Tertnes, Flaktveit, Hordvik and Hylkje.

Culture and sport

Åsane has produced two well-known bands, Salhuskvintetten and Vinskvetten, formerly known as "Salhusvinskvetten". Kurt Nilsen's former band Breed is also from Åsane.
Åsane Fotball is Norway's largest sports club. Its senior team plays in the second division.
Tertnes handball team, are one of the best handball teams in Norway, and are currently playing in the elite division.

Notable people