Sarpsborg is a town in Østfold County, Norway. With almost 55,000 inhabitants, it is one of the largest cities in the country. And not only that, she is also one of the oldest. In 1016, Saint Olav founded the settlement and declared it the capital. This was the case until 1030, when Trondheim was granted this honour. Since the city has the most registered sunny days in Norway, it was given the epithet solbyen (sun city…


Sarpsborg is one of the oldest cities in Norway and was founded in 1060. Only Tønsberg and Trondheim are considered older. After the city was burned down by the Swedes in the Northern War in 1567, it was rebuilt at the mouth of the Glomma River. This settlement, in addition to the city status of Sarpsborg, received the name Fredrikstad. But even the old Sarpsborg was not abandoned and in 1839 it again received the town charter. Due to the incorporation of places at the gates of the city, this quickly grew. Today, about 55,000 inhabitants live here. Together with Fredrikstad, the village forms the Nedre Glomma region with a total of 135,000 inhabitants.
Since the ice has receded, people have settled in Sarpsborg thanks to the now life-friendly conditions. However, the city itself was founded by Saint Olaf when he sailed up the Glomma, the longest river in Norway, in 1016. The huge waterfall Sarpefossen stopped the expedition – and so he chose the place as his capital.
The Sarpefossen in Glomma is the most water-rich waterfall in Europe and has already been called the “Norwegian Niagara Falls”. The force of nature of the waterfall has always been admired. Since the 19th century, the urban development of Sarpsborg has been closely linked to the Borregaard company, a world-leading organic refinery.
Sarpsborg is located in the heart of Østfold, between Oslo to the west and the Swedish border to the east. Explore the city and the history of the province at the Borgarsyssel Museum. Also take a trip to Kulåsparken in the heart of the city.
Which country is Sarpsborg located?
How big is Sarpsborg?