17/05/2026
Happy Constitution Day - Today, 212 year ago, Norway's constitution was signed - and Norway re-emerged as a nation. The delegates to the Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814 were elected by the people after Sunday service in parishes across the country.
Here a selection of the locations where the delegates were elected - named "valgkirker" - Election churches:
The church of Tranøy, from 1775, looked pretty much the same in 1814. Photo: Dag A. Larsen Visit Senja Region
The church of Hammerfest burned in 1890, and the next church didn't survive the war. The present church dates from 1961. Not a single of the election churches in the furthest north survived fires, reconstruction and above all WWII. Photo: Ziggi Wantuch Visit Hammerfest
The church of Trondenes, on the other hand, looks almost identical. It dates from 1180-1440. Photo: Hanne Jakhelln
The church of Alstahaug, built in several stages from the 12th to the 19th c. was a prominent church at the time. Visit Helgeland
None of the delegates from the north made it in time to the Constituent Assembly. And in August, Sweden invaded Norway. Still; it was the rebirth of the nation, and Norwegian are celebrating from early to late today. Feel free to join in. 🎉🎈
