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Grefsen is a neighbourhood in the city of Oslo, Norway.[1]
Grefsen was a part of the municipality of Aker before the Second World War, later incorporated into Oslo. Together with Kjelsås, Grefsen then formed the borough Grefsen-Kjelsås until 1 January 2004, when they became part of the new borough of Nordre Aker.[2]
The Gjøvik Line goes through the area, but Grefsen Station is actually located closer to the neighbourhood of Disen. The Kjelsås Line also runs through the area. The local sports field Grefsen stadion is the home field of Kjelsås IL.
There are three schools in the area, Grefsen Elementary School (year 1-7), Engebråten Middle School (year 8-10) and Nydalen High School (year 11-13). Nydalen High School used to be Grefsen High School until 2014, when it was renovated and changed name.
Grefsen Church (Grefsen kirke) was consecrated in 1940.[3]
The name
The neighbourhood is named after the old farm Grefsen (Norse Grefsin, from *Grefsvin). The first element is *grefs 'steep hillside' (derived from the verb grafa 'dig (out)'), the last element is vin f 'meadow'. The old farm had Akerselva as its western border, and the hillside/riverside down to the river is very steep. The adjacent hill Grefsenåsen is named after the farm.[4]
Notable people
- Aleksander Akerjordet, footballer born in Grefsen
- Peter Andreas Morell, campaigned for better education for Grefsen
- Jon Øigarden, Norwegian Actor grew up in Grefsen
References
- ^ Knut Are Tvedt. "Grefsen". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ Knut Are Tvedt. "Grefsen-Kjelsås". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Grefsen kirke". Den norske kirke. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ Knut Are Tvedt. "Grefsenåsen". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved July 1, 2017.