Hønefoss


Hønefoss is a town and the administrative center of the municipality of Ringerike in Buskerud county, Norway. Hønefoss is an industrial center of inner Østlandet, containing several factories and other industry. As of 1 January 2022, Hønefoss had 16,547 inhabitants.
Between 1852 and 1964, the town was an independent municipality.
Hønefoss received town status and was separated from Norderhov into its own municipality in 1852. The town was built around the Hønefossen waterfall, from which the city derives its name. In 1964, Hønefoss ceased being a separate municipality and became part of Ringerike, where the town became its administrative center.
Hønefoss is a natural trading center for the populations of Ringerike, Hole, and Jevnaker. It is an inland town and a central hub in eastern Norway.

Etymology

The town is named after Hønefossen, a waterfall on the Begna River. The first element is the name of the old farm Hønen, the last element is foss. The name of the farm is a compound of a word *hœn- and vin.

Location

Hønefoss is located 63 kilometres northwest by road from the Norwegian capital of Oslo. Hønefoss is situated north of Lake Tyrifjorden. At Hønefoss, the Begna flows together with the Randselva river just below Hønefossen forming the Storelva river which flows into Nordfjord, the upper west branch of Lake Tyrifjord.

Transportation

European route E16 runs near Hønefoss on its way from Oslo to Bergen. Hønefoss is connected to Norwegian national road 35 which passes within town limits. Norwegian National Road 7 from Granvin in Hordaland ends at Hønefoss.
Hønefoss Station is located at the intersection between the Bergen Line, the Randsfjord Line and the Roa–Hønefoss Line. The rail station was opened in 1868 when the Randsfjord Line was extended from Tyristand to Randsfjord. The current station building was put into operation in 1909, in connection with the opening of the Bergen Line between Oslo and Geilo.

Economy

Hønefoss is home to several factories and other industry, with Norske Skog Follum maintaining its headquarters in the city. Dating from 1873, Norske Skog Follum was one of the largest producers of newsprint in Europe. The paper mill closed in 2012.
Ringerikes Blad is a regional newspaper covering Ringerike, Hole and Jevnaker. Established in 1845, the newspaper is published daily in Hønefoss. As of 2006, the newspaper has a daily circulation of 12,684. the newspaper is an affiliation of the media company, Amedia.

Climate

Hønefoss has a humid continental climate with relatively warm summers and cold winters with snow on the ground. The all-time high was recorded July 2018. The all-time low was recorded 6 January 2024.

Sport

Cultural attractions

Ringerikes Museum is located nearby in the former Norderhov Rectory. The museum is noted for its icon collection, its rune stones and its collection of the private belongings of Jørgen Engebretsen Moe. Jørgen Moe was a Norwegian author, who is best known for the Norske Folkeeventyr, a collection of Norwegian folk tales which he edited in collaboration with Peter Christen Asbjørnsen. It is affiliated with the Buskerud Museum.
Buskerud Photography Archive is a central archive for photography and photo-historical material from Buskerud. The archives accommodates approx. 200,000 photographs dating from the 1850s. Buskerud fylkesfotoarkiv has shared office space with the Ringerikes Museum in Norderhov and is affiliated with the Buskerud Museum.
Veien Cultural Heritage Park is in located in Hønefoss. The park contains over 100 grave mounds from the Early Iron Age, as well as a reconstructed longhouse and a museum. It is affiliated with the Buskerud Museum.
Ridder Farm is located on the north side of Hønefoss. This had been a family farm dating to 1730. The farm was largely developed by Fredrik Ridder, who had inherited it from his father. This was also the home of the manager of the local sawmill for generations. Ringerike Municipality has managed the property since 1964 in associated with Ringerike Museum.

Notable residents

Sport