Editing Balestrand

{{short description|Former municipality in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway}}
{{about|the former municipality in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway|the village in Sogndal municipality|Balestrand (village)}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Balestrand
|former                 = yes
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|official_name          = 
|image_skyline          = Balestrand1.JPG
|image_caption          = View of Balestrand
|idnumber               = 1418
|county                 = Sogn og Fjordane
|district               = Sogn
|capital                = [[Balestrand (village)|Balestrand]]
|established            = 1850
|preceded               = [[Leikanger Municipality]] 
|disestablished         = 1 Jan 2020
|succeeded              = [[Sogndal]] and [[Høyanger]]
|demonym                = Balestrending
|language               = Nynorsk
|coatofarms             = Balestrand komm.svg
|webpage                = www.balestrand.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Harald Offerdal
|mayor_party            = [[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2011-2019
|area_rank              = 231
|area_total_km2         = 429.67
|area_land_km2          = 411.04
|area_water_km2         = 18.63
|area_water_percent     = 4.3
|population_as_of       = 2019
|population_rank        = 370
|population_total       = 1,279
|population_density_km2 = 3.1
|population_increase    = -5.1
|coordinates            = {{coord|61|10|39|N|06|24|14|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone=32V |utm_northing=6785338 |utm_easting=0360406 | geo_cat=adm2nd
}}

'''Balestrand''' is a [[List of former municipalities of Norway|former municipality]] in [[Sogn og Fjordane]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. It was located on the northern shore of the [[Sognefjorden]] in the [[Districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Sogn]]. The [[administrative center]] was the village of [[Balestrand (village)|Balestrand]]. Other villages in the municipality included [[Ese, Norway|Ese]], [[Kvamme, Sogn og Fjordane|Kvamme]], [[Låne]], [[Sæle, Sogn og Fjordane|Sæle]], [[Tjugum]], and [[Vetlefjorden]].

The municipality was situated at the confluence of the [[Fjærlandsfjorden]]/[[Esefjorden]] and the main [[Sognefjorden]]. The major industries in the municipality were [[tourism]] and [[farming]]. Balestrand became popular early due to the interest of artists, such as [[Hans Gude]], [[Kjartan Lauritzen]], [[Alfred Heaton Cooper]], [[Hans Dahl]], and [[Johannes Flintoe]]. Their paintings of the scenery around Balestrand inspired visitors, and Balestrand maintains its connection with art. Other industries include made-to-order kitchen interiors, local apple juice, and ''Nesseplast'' which produces industrial [[plastic]]. The [[Norwegian National Road 13]] runs through the municipality.

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the {{convert|430|km2|adj=on}} municipality was the 231st largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Balestrand was the 370th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,272. The municipality's [[population density]] was {{convert|3.1|PD/km2}} and its population had decreased by 5.1% over the previous decade.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |year=2018 |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |access-date=2019-12-08 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |access-date=2019-12-08 |language=no}}</ref>

In 2016, the chief of police for [[Vestlandet]] formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station in Balestrand be closed.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fjelltveit |first1=Ingvild |last2=Raunholm |first2=Per Vidar |date=2016-12-20 |title=Foreslår å legge ned 17 lensmannskontor i Vest politidistrikt |language=no |work=NRK Hordaland |url=https://www.nrk.no/hordaland/slik-vil-songstad-ha-vest-politidistrikt-1.13284803 |access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>

==General information==
[[File:Balestrand.jpg|thumb|left|View of Balestrand village (left), the Esefjorden (center), and the Fjærlandsfjorden (right)]]
[[File:Vetlefjorddalen & Bårddalen.JPG|thumb|left|A view to Vetlefjorddalen and Bårddalen from a lookout spot at the top of the serpentine County Road 13]]
[[File:Adelsteen Normann-Munken gård i Esefjorden.jpg|thumb|left|Painting: ''Munken gård i Esefjorden'' by [[Adelsteen Normann]]]]
[[File:Kvamsøy kyrkje sett frå land.JPG|thumb|left|Kvamsøy Church on Kvamsøy island]]
Balestrand was established as a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in 1850 when the three sub-parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) of [[Vangsnes]], [[Tjugum]], and [[Fjærland|Mundal]] in the northwestern part of the large [[Leikanger]] municipality were separated to form the new municipality of Balestrand. The initial population of the municipality was 2,122. In 1861, the Mundal sub-parish was renamed ''[[Fjærland]]''.<ref name="Dag">{{Cite book |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |year=1999 |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |publisher=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |language=no |isbn=9788253746845}}</ref>

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1964 the municipalities of [[Vik, Sogn|Vik]], [[Leikanger]], and Balestrand changed their boundaries in a land trade. The sub-parish of Vangsnes (population: 189) was transferred from Balestrand to [[Vik, Sogn|Vik]], Balestrand gained the sub-parish of Kvamsøy (population: 389) from [[Vik, Sogn|Vik]], and [[Leikanger]] gained the Hella-Eitorn area (population: 31) from Balestrand. Balestrand had a population of 1,606 after the changes were completed.<ref name="Dag" />

The Fjærland area of Balestrand had always been isolated from the rest of the municipality, and only accessible by boat. In 1995, the [[Frudal Tunnel]] was completed connecting Fjærland to neighboring [[Sogndal]] municipality (not to the rest of Balestrand). This caused discussions about Fjærland's municipal future. On 1 January 2000, the entire sub-parish of [[Fjærland]] in northern Balestrand was transferred to [[Sogndal]] municipality.<ref name="Dag" />

On 1 January 2020, Balestrand Municipality ceased to exist. The far western Nesse area of Balestrand was transferred to the neighboring [[Høyanger Municipality]] and the rest of Balestrand was merged with the neighboring municipalities of [[Leikanger]] and [[Sogndal]] to form a much larger municipality called Sogndal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nye Sogndal kommune |url=http://www.nye.sogndal.kommune.no/ |access-date=2019-12-08 |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vedtak om grensejustering mellom kommunane Balestrand og Høyanger |date=10 December 2018 |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/vedtak-om-grensejustering-mellom-kommunane-balestrand-og-hoyanger/id2621794/ |access-date=2019-12-09 |publisher=Regjerning.no |language=no}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality is named ''Balestrand'', a compound name for the area that was created in 1832 by the Norwegian writer [[Henrik Wergeland]]. The first element is the name of the old ''Bale'' farm ({{langx|non|Bali}}). The farm name is identical to the word {{wikt-lang|non|bali}} which means "grassy hillside". The last element is derived from the word {{wikt-lang|non|strǫnd}} which means "beach" or "shore". Thus the "shore along the grassy hillside."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lN1LAQAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Nordre Bergenhus amt |date=1919 |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |edition=12 |location=Kristiania, Norge |pages=137–138 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Om Balestrand |url=http://www.balestrand.kommune.no/?side=510 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180625/http://www.balestrand.kommune.no/?side=510 |archive-date=2011-07-24 |access-date=2010-09-04 |publisher=Balestrand kommune |language=no}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 23 October 1989. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], a down-pointing sword [[argent]] issuant from the base"'' ({{langx|no|På blå grunn eit oppveksande nedvend sølv sverd}}). This means the arms have a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is the [[hilt]] of a [[Viking]] [[sword]]. The charge has a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[argent]] which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The design symbolizes an old Viking sword found in the burial mound in Balestrand. The sword is believed to belong to King Bele from [[Frithiof's Saga]]. The arms were designed by Inge Rotevatn. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Balestrand |access-date=2023-05-28 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Balestrand, Sogn og Fjordane (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-14-18.html |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1989-11-17 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LFO/forskrift/1989-11-17-1201 |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Balestrand kommune, våpen |url=https://foto.digitalarkivet.no/fotoweb/archives/5003-Kommunev%C3%A5pen/Kart%20og%20tegninger%20og%20segl/he10081205030688.tif.info#c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5003-Kommunev%25C3%25A5pen%2F%3Fq%3Dbalestrand |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Digitalarkivet |publisher=Arkivverket |language=no}}</ref> {{See also|Hægebostad#Coat of arms}}

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] had one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Balestrand. It was part of the [[Sogn prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Bjørgvin]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Balestrand'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="3"|Balestrand||[[Kvamsøy Church]]||[[Kvamsøy, Sogn og Fjordane|Kvamsøy]]||1290
|-
|[[Sæle Church]]||[[Sæle, Sogn og Fjordane|Sæle]]||1903
|-
|[[Tjugum Church]]||[[Tjugum]]||1863
|}

There is also one [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]] church in Balestrand:
*[[St. Olaf's Church, Balestrand|''St. Olaf's Church'']] (built in 1897) is located in the village of Balestrand.

==Government==
While it existed, this municipality was responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[unemployment]], [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] was [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |access-date=2023-01-01 |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=no |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene}}</ref> The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the [[Sogn og Fjordane District Court]] and the [[Gulating Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Balestrand is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The [[Political party|party]] breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:
{{div col|colwidth=33em|style=column-count:2}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 2016
|end                       = 2019
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg">{{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}</ref>
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2 
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 2012
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Sogn og Fjordane |url=https://valgresultat.no/sogn%2Bog%2Bfjordane/balestrand?type=ko&year=2011 |access-date=2019-10-29 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 2008
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Venstre                   = 3
|Høyre                     = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 2004
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 2000
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 6
|RV/SV                     = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1996
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 4
|RV/SV                     = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1992
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1988
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1984
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1980
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 3
|otherparty                = Local list in Balestrand
|otherparty_no             = Bygdalista i Balestrand
|otherparty_number         = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1976
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1972
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1968
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 5
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|start                     = 1964
|end                       = 1967
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1960
|end                       = 1963
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1956
|end                       = 1959
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Venstre                   = 6
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1952
|end                       = 1955
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 6
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1948
|end                       = 1951
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 6
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 3
|Local_Lists               = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1945
|end                       = 1947
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|AFS                       = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 3
|Local_Lists               = 13
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Balestrand
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1938
|end                       = 1941* 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Venstre                   = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 11
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] of Balestrand:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-07 |title=Ordførarar i Balestrand kommune |url=https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/fylkesleksikon/3243017.html |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=NRK Fylkesleksikon |language=nn}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1849-1879: [[Harald Ulrik Sverdrup (politician)|Harald Ulrik Sverdrup]] 
*1880-1883: Sjur Bjaastad 
*1884-1885: Anders L. Ese Gjerde
*1886-1887: Sjur Bjaastad
*1888-1895: Anders L. Ese Gjerde
*1896-1901: Sjur Bjaastad
*1902-1922: Ole Tjugum
*1923-1925: Per Hovland
*1926-1934: Hermund J. Bale
*1934-1935: Sigurd Kvikne, Sr.
*1936-1941: [[Anders Johanneson Bøyum]] ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1941-1942: Anders Gjerde ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1945-1947: [[Anders Johanneson Bøyum]] ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1948-1959: Per P. Hovland ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Bp]])
*1960-1961: Sverre Aardal ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1961-1971: Per Horpedal ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1972-1974: Karl Munkerud ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1975-1975: Haakon Steine ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1976-1981: Tor Tjugum ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1982-1983: Jens K. Ese ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1984-1995: Olav J. Ulvestad ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1995-2003: Åse Kari Einevoll ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*2003-2007: Erland A. Fagermoen ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])
*2007-2011: Einar Målsnes ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2011-2019: Harald Offerdal ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
{{div col end}}

==Geography==
Balestrand was located between the high snow-covered [[Gaularfjellet]] [[mountain]]s in the center of the beautiful, lush [[Sognefjorden]]. Three fjord arms stretch inland, winding through the mountains and dotted with charming hamlets: [[Lånefjorden]], [[Esefjorden]], and [[Vetlefjorden]]. The [[Fjærlandsfjorden]] runs along the eastern border of the municipality. The [[Jostefonn]] [[glacier]] sits at the very northernmost part of the municipality.

Balestrand was bordered to the west by the municipalities of [[Høyanger]] and [[Gaular]], to the north by [[Førde]], and to the east by [[Sogndal]] and [[Leikanger]]. Across the [[Sognefjorden]] to the south is the municipality of [[Vik, Sogn|Vik]].

==Attractions==
[[File:Balestrand.JPG|thumb|right|Kviknes hotel in Balestrand]]
[[File:Balestrand Norwegen St. Olaf´s Church.JPG|thumb|right|St. Olaf's Anglican Church]]

===Kvikne's Hotel===
Built in the 19th century, the [[Kviknes Hotel|Kvikne's Hotel]] is one of the most famous buildings in [[Balestrand (village)|Balestrand]]. The Kvikne family, who own the place, took it over in 1877. Since then the establishment has undergone constant development which continues to this day. There are many new buildings and remodeling and expansion projects have been carried out.

Today, the hotel is a highly modern facility resounding with tradition and culture. With 200 rooms, it is also one of Norway's largest fine hotels catering to tourists. An impressive collection of art and historical pieces is a central feature of the hotel's interior, and one of the elements of its distinct personality.

Kviknes Hotel was made popular for European visitors in the early part of the 20th century by [[Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser Wilhelm II]], who often visited there during his [[summer vacation]]s prior to [[World War I]]. The hotel still possesses the chair he used in their restaurant. The Kaiser is accompanied on the list by a number of emperors, kings, presidents, Prime ministers, film stars, and artists from many countries.<ref name="go">{{Cite web |title=Balestrand Kommune |url=http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/sogn-and-fjordande/balestrand/763b49bafb7d0da/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513203933/http://gonorway.no/norway/counties/sogn-and-fjordande/balestrand/763b49bafb7d0da/index.html |archive-date=13 May 2008 |access-date=23 June 2008 |publisher=GoNorway.no}}</ref>

===St. Olaf's Church===
{{Main|St Olaf's Church, Balestrand}}
St. Olaf's Church, also known as the ''English Church'', is an [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]] [[Church (building)|church]] built in the style of a [[Stave church]]. The church was completed in 1897 as a memorial to Margaret Green. Margaret, an English lady, came to the fjords as a tourist to hike the mountains. She met, fell in love with and married Knut Kvikne who was an avid mountain man. Being a very pious woman, she wished for an Anglican church in Balestrand. She started the church with her husband, but died before its completion. Sunday services are held during the summer months, being conducted by rotating [[vicar]]s from England.<ref name="go" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Things to do in Balestrand |url=http://www.balestrand.net/?side=30 |access-date=23 June 2008 |publisher=Balestrand Hotel}}</ref>

St. Olaf's Church is notable as the inspiration for the chapel in Elsa's coronation scene in the 2013 Disney film [[Frozen (2013 film)|''Frozen'']].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Solomon |first=Charles |title=[[The Art of Frozen]] |publisher=Chronicle Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-45211-716-4 |page=40}}</ref>

===Other attractions===
*''Songnefjord Aquarium''
*''Balejazz'' summer jazz festival
*''Balestrand Art Village''<ref name="go" />
*[[The Norwegian Museum of Travel and Tourism]]

== Notable people ==
* [[Christian Garup Meidell]] (1780 in Balestrand – 1863), a military officer and politician; first Mayor of Leikanger in 1838-1839
* [[Jakob Sverdrup (politician)|Jakob Sverdrup]] (1845–1899), a Norwegian bishop and politician, raised in Balestrand
* [[Georg Sverdrup (theologian)|Georg Sverdrup]] (1848 in Balestrand – 1907), a Norwegian-American Lutheran theologian and teacher
* [[Edvard Sverdrup]] (1861 in Balestrand – 1923), a Norwegian educator, author, church leader, and a key theologian in the [[Church of Norway]] in early 20thC.
* [[Anders Johanneson Bøyum]] (1890 in Balestrand – 1962), a politician who was mayor of Balestrand before and after WWII
* [[Trygve Heltveit]] (1913 in Balestrand – 1985), a Norwegian philologist.

==See also==
*[[List of former municipalities of Norway]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Balestrand}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010307064942/http://www.balestrand.kommune.no/ Official Website of Balestrand] {{in lang|no}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080607145713/http://dnn2.kvikneseng.gasta.no/ Kviknes Hotel]

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[[Category:Balestrand| ]]
[[Category:Sogndal]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of Norway]]
[[Category:1850 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:2020 disestablishments in Norway]]