Fåberg was a former municipality in [[Oppland]] county, [[Norway]]. It was situated in the southern part of the [[Gudbrandsdalen]] valley, immediately north of [[Mjøsa]], Norway's largest lake. The administrative centre of the municipality was the village of Fåberg.
History The municipality of Fåberg was established on January 1, 1838, when the "formannskapsdistrikt" law came into effect, creating local self-governance in Norway. For much of its history, Fåberg maintained its original borders. However, in 1964, as part of a nationwide municipal reform, Fåberg municipality was merged with the neighboring city of [[Lillehammer]] to form the current Lillehammer municipality. At the time of the merger, Fåberg had a population of approximately 13,300 inhabitants.
Geography Fåberg covered a geographically diverse area, encompassing fertile agricultural land along the [[Gudbrandsdalslågen]] river and near Lake Mjøsa, as well as more forested and hilly terrain further away from the main valley. The Gudbrandsdalslågen river, which flows into Mjøsa, was a significant geographical feature within the former municipality, shaping its landscape and providing resources for its inhabitants.
Etymology The name "Fåberg" is derived from Old Norse. The first element, fár, is believed to mean "sheep," while the second element, berg, means "mountain" or "hill." Therefore, the name likely translates to "sheep mountain" or "sheep hill," possibly referring to a specific hill in the area that was suitable for sheep grazing.
Legacy Despite its dissolution as an independent administrative unit, the name Fåberg continues to be used locally, referring to the geographical area and various institutions. Examples include Fåberg Church (Fåberg kirke), a medieval stone church dating back to the 12th century, as well as local schools and other place names that preserve the historical identity of the former municipality within the larger Lillehammer area.