Hamar

Norway, Norway

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Hamar is a city and municipality in Innlandet county, Norway, on the shores of Lake Mjøsa, established as one of Scandinavia's oldest towns around 1021 with roots in Viking-era settlements near Åker farm. It flourished in the Middle Ages as a religious and trade center with Hamar Cathedral (built 1152–1200), bishop's palace, and fortress, peaking in the 14th century before devastation from the Black Death, Swedish sieges in 1567, and Reformation losses that reduced it to farmland. Re-founded in 1849 with a grid-planned modern town, it hosted 1994 Winter Olympics events like speed skating at Vikingskipet arena and features cultural sites including the preserved Domkirkeodden ruins museum.