Otta, Norway

Otta
Town
View of the town
Otta Location of the town Otta Otta (Norway)
Coordinates:61.77124°N 9.53525°E/61.77124; 9.53525
Country	Norway
Region	Eastern Norway
County	Innlandet
District	Gudbrandsdalen
Municipality	Sel Municipality
Established as
Town(By)	2000
Area
• Total	2.13 km2(0.82 sq mi)
Elevation	287 m (942 ft)
Population (2021)
• Total	2,283
• Density	1,073/km2(2,780/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00(CEST)
Post Code	2670 Otta

is atowninSel MunicipalityinInnlandetcounty,Norway.The town is also theadministrative centreof the municipality. The town is located at theconfluenceof theGudbrandsdalslågenandOttarivers. TheEuropean route E6highway runs through the town. TheDovrebanenrailway line also passes through the town, stopping at theOtta Station.The 2.13-square-kilometre (530-acre) town has a population (2021) of 2,283 and apopulation densityof 1,073 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,780/sq mi).

The town is named after theOttariver. The first three tiers of Norwegian education are covered by its primary and secondary schools and the high school,Otta vidaregående skule.Otta also has a regional medical clinic. Otta is one of the few towns in Norway without a church in the town centre. TheSel Churchis located about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of the town centre, just outside the town proper.

Geography

Mountains near Otta

Central town of Otta

Situated about 110 kilometres (68 mi) north ofLillehammer,it spans the valley floor where theOttadalenvalley branches off of the mainGudbrandsdalenvalley. The largely glacially-fed riverOttahas a 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi) watershed in a very arid region and all of this water flows into the riverGudbrandsdalslågenat the town of Otta. To the northeast of the town lies theRondanemountains and this area became part ofRondane National Parkin 1962, the first national park in Norway. The park has several mountains reaching over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) in elevation.

Transportation

Otta sits roughly halfway between the major cities ofOsloandTrondheimalong theEuropean route E6highway. TheNorwegian National Roadstarts at Otta and it heads west through theOttadalenvalley and over the mountains toStryn,along theNordfjord,finally terminating in the town ofMåløyon the west coast of Norway. Otta is also an important link on theDovrebanenrailway line, sinceOtta Stationis the only station in the valley where every single passing passenger train stops.

History

Kringen Monument

Dead British "Green Howards" after the battle at Otta, Norway. 28 April 1940

The location of Otta was historically just a farm area that was known asAamot(orÅmot) which means "rivers against" signifying that this place was the meeting place of two rivers. From the 1600s to the 1800s, there werecopper minesandiron ore mineslocated about 4–5 kilometres (2.5–3.1 mi) north of the present town. The historicSel Churchwas built in this location due to its proximity to the mining area.

In 1612, this area was the site of theBattle of Kringen.There is a statue in Otta depictingPrillarguri,a semi-legendary figure who, according to oral tradition, was a woman fromSelwho played a key role in the battle.

In 1896Otta Stationwas built at the present site of the town about 4–5 kilometres (2.5–3.1 mi) south of the mining sites. This railway station became the northern terminus of the railroad for a decade. The place became known as Otta (named after the railway station, which was named after the river). Over time, a small village grew up around the railway station. In 1912, the railroad was completed from Otta toDombåsin 1912, and then ultimately being completed all the way toTrondheimin 1922.

On 28 April 1940, Otta saw extensive fighting between German and British forces during the last parts of the German advance up theGudbrandsdalenvalley, as part of the Germanconquest of Norway.Company C and D of the BritishGreen Howardsfought elements of the German 196th infantry division underRichard Pellengahrsupported by artillery and tanks. Equipped with25 mm Hotchkiss anti-tank gunsandBoys anti-tank rifles,the British managed to disable three German tanks, including killing two crew members of aPanzerkampfwagen Ibwith an anti-tank rifle, but by late evening, the British had to retreat due to fierce artillery fire from German10.5 cm leFH 18guns. The last British forces fought off the Germans in the dark withBren light machine gunsand hand grenades, while they retreated further north towardsDombås.

In the year 2000, the municipal council granted the village of Otta town status which is mostly symbolic as there are no longer any special privileges under the law with such as designation any more in Norway.

Economy

Otta is a largely an industrial town, having a number of factories including a window framing plant, production of a high quality slate, wood mill, and a large printing plant. The town also has many other trades and services present in addition to its industrial base.

Attractions

Otta is used as a base for day trips into the nearbyRondane National ParkandJotunheimen National Park.Having a hotel, a number of camping sites, and the so-called mountain hotels located nearMysusæter,the town attracts many tourists each year.Other points of interests includeKvitskriuprestenand theMilorghideout of Reiret, as well as a monument commemorating the Battle of Kringen in 1612.

See also

• List of towns and cities in Norway
• Otta seal pavement