Lier, Norway

It borders to the municipalitys of Asker (Akershus), Bærum (Akershus), Drammen (Buskerud), Modum (Buskerud), Nedre Eiker (Buskerud), Røyken (Buskerud). It includes the villages Lier (Lierbyen), Sylling, Sjåstad, Nøste, Gullaug, Lierskogen (Where Norway's longest indoor shopping lane, Liertoppen, is situated) and Tranby.

Lier is appreciated as a green lung for Norway's capital Oslo with its vast number of fields and apple trees. It is also famous for its agricultural products as strawberries and vegetables.

The Gilhusodden Nature Preserve is home of many different bird species. The area is also used for recreation, espescially swimming and sunbathing, with its long, shallow beach.

[edit] The name

The Norse form of the name was Líðir. The name is the plural form of líð f 'hillside'.

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1970). It shows five flowers of apple (to represent fertility).

[edit] History

Oslo's Patron Saint, St. Hallvard, was born in Lier.

Sights in Lier include "Bygdeborgen" (A village stronghold from the middle ages) on Fosskollen, "St. Hallvard's minne", "Gjellebekk skanse", Gilhusodden Nature Preserve and the ten British RAF Airmen from World War II buried in Sjåstad cemetery.

[edit] Famous people from Lier

Sten Stensen, speedskater
Thorleif Haug (1894–1934), skier/skijumper
Thorbjørn Jagland, politician, former prime minister, currently president of parliament
Bjørn Eidsvåg, artist and preacher, living in Lier, born in Sauda
Gert Nygaardshaug, author
Karin Fossum, author, living in Sylling/Lier
Martin Kolberg, secretary of The Norweagian Labour Party.

Municipalities of Buskerud
Drammen \| Flesberg \| Flå \| Gol \| Hemsedal \| Hol \| Hole \| Hurum \| Kongsberg \| Krødsherad \| Lier \| Modum \| Nedre Eiker \| Nes \| Nore og Uvdal \| Ringerike \| Rollag \| Røyken \| Sigdal \| Øvre Eiker \| Ål