Hovtun is a toponym that refers to two distinct locations: a village in Armenia and a historic municipal building in Norway.
Hovtun, Armenia
Hovtun (Armenian: Հովտուն) is a village in the Amasia Municipality of the Shirak Province of Armenia. It is located at coordinates 40°58′N 43°49′E. According to the 2011 census, the village had a population of 154. Historically, the village was originally inhabited by Azerbaijanis, then Greeks, and now Armenians. The settlement was formerly known as Baytar and Alakilisa.
Demographic history (from census records):
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1831 | 27 |
| 1897 | 220 |
| 1926 | 352 |
| 1939 | 477 |
| 1959 | 236 |
| 1970 | 207 |
| 1979 | 253 |
| 1989 | 238 |
| 2001 | 190 |
| 2011 | 154 |
Hovtun, Norway
Hovtun is also the name of a historic building located at Klokkarstua in the former Hurum municipality (now part of Asker municipality), Norway. It served as the municipal council house (herredshus) of Hurum from 1915 to 2013.
History: The building was designed by architect Halfdan Berle and inaugurated on 30 January 1915. It was constructed in wood in a style referred to as "sorenskriverstil" (district judge style). The building housed the municipal council chamber, administrative offices, and the local savings bank (Hurum sparebank) under one roof, making Hurum one of the first rural municipalities in Norway to consolidate all municipal functions in a single building.
A large extension designed by architect Victor Schaulund was completed in 1940, adding a new entrance, additional offices, and fireproof vaults. During the 1980s, plans to demolish Hovtun were halted by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren). The building served as the municipal administrative center until 2013, when a new town hall was opened at Sætre.
Cultural center: Between 2015 and 2023, Hovtun was operated as a cultural center by a private foundation. In 2023, it was repurchased by the municipality (now Asker) with the condition that it continue to be used as a cultural venue.
