MANDAL

'Mandal' is a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.
The town of Mandal was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). The rural municipalities of Halse og Harkmark and Holum were merged with Mandal January 1, 1964.
Mandal borders in west and northwest with Lindesnes, in north with Marnardal and to the east with Søgne.
It is the southernmost town of Norway - and the skerry Pysen (south of the town) is the southernmost point of land.

Contents

The name

Coat-of-arms

What to see

The name

The Norse form of the name was ''Marnardalr''. The first element is the genitive case of the rivername ''Mörn'' (now Mandalselva), the last element is ''dalr'' m 'valley, dale'. (See also Marnardal.)
The old name of the town (until 1653) was ''Vesterrisør'' ('western Risør'). The name was originally referring to the island ''Risøya'' outside the town, and the first element was added in the 16th century to distinguish it from the town of ''Østerrisør'' (see Risør).

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from 1921. It shows three salmons.

What to see

Mandal is famous for its long-stretching beaches surrounding the town. Sjøsanden (The Sea Sand) is probably the most famous beach, as it stretches for almost a kilometre just outside the town centre. Mandal is a very popular holiday resort, with its mild and refreshing summer climate.
About 10 kilometers SE of the city, one of the most famous islands in Norway, Skjernøy, welcomes visitors with silent valleys, a rough and rocky coast, quiet settlements and charming people.
Another attraction is the city's church: Mandal kirke. It is the largest wooden church in Norway, with 1,800 seats and a pulpit on the wall over the altar.
The famous sculptor Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) was born in Mandal, and has a road named after him in his home town. Vigeland created Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsparken) in Oslo.
The painter Adolph Tiedemand (1814-1876) was also born in Mandal. His most famous painting is the national romantic image of a traditional wedding on the Hardanger fjord, which he made together with Hans Gude.
Because of these and other artists coming from Mandal, the town is sometimes called "The Little Town with the Great Artists".
Mandal is also a beautiful city in the summer.