Numedal

Numedal is a valley and traditional district in Eastern Norway, in the county of Buskerud, running north to south from Flesberg to Rødberg across the traditional municipalities of Flesberg, Nore og Uvdal and Rollag, plus Kongsberg. It is largely a U-shaped valley with steep sides, especially to the west, and is drained by the Numedalslågen, Norway's third-longest river, which empties into the Oslofjord at Larvik. The district covers 3,513 square kilometers and had a 2014 population of 6,609. It is known for its medieval Scandinavian heritage, including more than 40 historic timber buildings and four stave churches at Flesberg, Rollag, Nore and Uvdal, as well as ancient east-west routes across Hardangervidda known as Nordmann's trails, which pass Stone Age sites and old bog iron works, and three open-air museums preserving traditional valley architecture.