Solum was a former municipality in the county of Telemark (now part of Vestfold og Telemark) in southeastern Norway. The municipality existed from 1 January 1838, when the formannskapsdistrikt law created local self‑government units, until 1 January 1964, when it was merged with the town of Skien and the neighboring municipalities of Gjerpen and part of Holla to form a larger Skien municipality as part of the nationwide municipal reform directed by the Schei Committee.
Geography
The former municipality covered an area of roughly 140 km², encompassing a mixture of forested hills, agricultural land, and the lower reaches of the river Skienselva. Its administrative centre was the village of Solum, situated just north of the town of Skien. The locality was bordered by Gjerpen to the east, Skien to the south, and the municipalities of Langesund and Porsgrunn to the west.
Population
At the time of its dissolution in 1964, Solum had a population of about 13 000 residents. Throughout its existence, the municipality experienced gradual growth linked to the industrial development of the nearby Skien urban area.
Historical sites
The most prominent landmark in the former municipality is Solum Church (Solum kirke), a wooden long‑church constructed in 1766 and later expanded. The church has served as the parish church for the Solum area since its consecration and remains in use within the current Skien municipality.
Name and etymology
The name “Solum” originates from the old Solum farm on which the first church was built. The term is derived from the Old Norse word sól (sun) combined with heimr (home) or a similar element, plausibly meaning “sunny home” or “sunny settlement.” Exact linguistic derivation is not definitively recorded.
Administrative changes
- 1838 – Established as a municipality under the formannskapsdistrikt law.
- 1964 – Merged into Skien municipality during the “Schei Committee” municipal consolidations.
Since the 1964 merger, the area formerly known as Solum has been incorporated into the urban and suburban districts of the modern city of Skien. The name persists in local place‑names, road signs, and the continued operation of Solum Church.
