Fresvik

Economy

Agriculture is one of the main industries around Fresvik. Some of the main agricultural products are fruit and berries (mainly strawberries) and there are also some lush mountain pastures for cattle or sheep. There is also the Fresvik produkt factory which produces refrigeration equipment.

History

Fresvik was an isolated valley community until 1976. People could only access the village by boat on the Sognefjorden. In 1976, a road from Feios to Fresvik was completed, marking the first time there was a road connection to the village. Historically, Fresvik had been a part of Leikanger Municipality since the main part of Leikanger is located directly north (across the fjord). After the road was completed to Fresvik from Feios and westward into Vik Municipality, discussions began about municipal borders since Fresvik now was more easily connected to Vik Municipality rather than a 10 km boat ride across the huge Sognefjorden. As of 1 January 1992, Fresvik and its surroundings (all of Leikanger Municipality that was south of the fjord and west of the Aurlandsfjorden) were transferred to Vik Municipality.

Name

The village (and parish) is named after the old Fresvik farm () since the Fresvik Church was built there. The first element is the genitive of the name of the god Freyr and the last element is which means "inlet" or "bay". Another, less common theory is that is originates from settlement/farmstead of Frisians. The name has similarities to the Scottish Highland hamlet Freswick and with the town of Vreeswijk in the Netherlands. The name Freswick could mean 'Frisians wic' The place name Vreeswijk stemms from the medieval name Fresionovvic (11th century) meaning settlement of Frisians.

Notable people

• Mensen Ernst, a long distance runner
• Alexandra Hauglum (b. 2003), star of the 2013 documentary "Twin Sisters" (which features Fresvik). The film was produced and directed by Mona Friis Bertheussen, and later aired on public television in the USA. This film features Chinese-born adoptee Alexandra Hauglum and her parents, residents of Fresvik, as well as her twin sister Mia Hansen, adopted separately by parents from Sacramento, California in the USA.

References

References

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3. Statistisk sentralbyrå. (2001). "Folke- og boligtellingen 2001, kommune- og bydelshefter 1417 Vik".
4. {{Cite SNL. Fresvik. Fresvik. 2025-11-23. Askheim. Svein. 2024-11-25
5. Jukvam, Dag. (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen". [[Statistics Norway.
6. Rygh, Oluf. (1919). "Norske gaardnavne: Nordre Bergenhus amt". W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri.
7. Chamson, Emil Rudolf. (2014). "Revisiting a millennium of migrations. Contextualizing Dutch/Low-German influence on English dialect lexis". Academia.
8. (2018). "Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard. Reeks Nederlandse plaatsnamen deel 12". mijnbestseller.
9. Faber, Hans. (2022). "Dissolute Elisabeth and her Devil".