View source for Tønsberg

{{About|the city located within [[Tønsberg Municipality]]||Tønsberg (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name          = Tønsberg
|other_name             = Tunsberg {{nobold|(historic name)}}
|native_name            = 
|nickname               = {{lang|no|Sagabyen}} (Town of [[Sagas]])
|settlement_type        = [[List of towns and cities in Norway|Town/city]]<ref name="city">In the Norwegian language, the word ''by'' can be translated as "town" or "city".</ref>
|image_skyline          = View of Tønsberg - panoramio.jpg
|image_caption          = View of the town
|pushpin_map            = Norway Vestfold#Norway
|pushpin_label_position = top
|pushpin_label          = 
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location of the town
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = [[Norway]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[List of regions of Norway|Region]] 
|subdivision_name1      = [[Eastern Norway]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Counties of Norway|County]] 
|subdivision_name2      = [[Vestfold]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Districts of Norway|District]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[Jarlsberg]]
|subdivision_type4      = [[List of municipalities of Norway|Municipality]]
|subdivision_name4      = [[Tønsberg Municipality]]
|timezone1              = [[Central European Time|CET]] 
|utc_offset1            = +01:00
|timezone1_DST          = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] 
|utc_offset1_DST        = +02:00
|established_title      = Established as
|established_date       = &nbsp;
|established_title1     = [[Kjøpstad]]
|established_date1      = {{circa|871}}
|area_footnotes         = <ref name="ssb" />
|area_total_km2         = 26.31
|population_as_of       = 2023
|population_footnotes   = <ref name="ssb" />
|population_total       = 55387
|population_density_km2 = 2105
|population_demonyms     = Tønsbergensar<br />Tønsbergenser
|postal_code_type       = Post Code
|postal_code            = 3111 Tønsberg
|coordinates            = {{coord|59.26753|10.40763|region:NO_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m            = 10
|elevation_footnotes    = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tønsberg, Vestfold |url=https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/1-46918/Norway/Vestfold/T%C3%B8nsberg/T%C3%B8nsberg |access-date=2024-02-10 |publisher=[[yr.no]] |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023104/https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/1-46918/Norway/Vestfold/T%C3%B8nsberg/T%C3%B8nsberg |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

'''Tønsberg''' ({{IPA|no|ˈtœ̂nsbær(ɡ)|pron|Tonsberg.ogg}}), historically '''Tunsberg''', is a [[List of towns and cities in Norway|city]]<ref name="city" /> in [[Tønsberg Municipality]] in [[Vestfold]] county, [[Norway]]. It is located about {{convert|102|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} south-southwest of the capital city of [[Oslo]] on the western coast of the [[Oslofjord]] near its mouth onto the [[Skagerrak]]. The city is the most populous [[metropolis]] in Vestfold county. Tønsberg also serves as the [[administrative centre]] for Vestfold county and the seat of the [[County governor (Norway)|County Governor]] of Vestfold og Telemark.<ref name="snl">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Tønsberg |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/T%C3%B8nsberg |date=2024-01-16 |editor-last=Thorsnæs |editor-first=Geir |language=no |editor2-last=Lundbo |editor2-first=Sten |accessdate=2024-02-11 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616001930/https://snl.no/T%C3%B8nsberg |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Tettsted 2521 Tønsberg 2022.png|thumb|left|Map of the urban city of Tønsberg (pink)]]
Tønsberg is generally regarded as the oldest city in Norway, founded in the 9th century.<ref name="VN">{{Cite web |title=Tønsberg - coastal charm in Norway |url=https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/eastern-norway/tonsberg/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522125130/http://www.visitnorway.com/us/Product/?pid=30178 |archive-date=2014-05-22 |access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tønsberg |url=http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/vestfold/toensberg/7635e48e567c830/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308163855/http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/vestfold/toensberg/7635e48e567c830/index.html |archive-date=2010-03-08 |access-date=2010-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tønsberg &#124; Norway &#124; Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Tonsberg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612154046/https://www.britannica.com/place/Tonsberg |archive-date=2018-06-12 |access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref> [[Snorri Sturluson]] mentions the town in [[Harald Hårfagre]]'s saga (written around 1220) before the battle at Hafrsfjord, which historians have traditionally dated to the year 872, therefore the town was in existence by 871 at the latest. This dating is again based on [[Are Frode]]'s book, [[Íslendingabók]]. Using this information, Tønsberg celebrated its one-thousandth anniversary in 1871 and its 1100th anniversary in 1971. Archaeological findings confirm that there was a farm settlement in Tønsberg at the end of the 8th century, which likely developed into a town during the early 9th century.<ref name="snl" />

The {{convert|26.31|km2|acre|adj=on}} city has a population (2023) of 55,387 and a [[population density]] of {{convert|2105|PD/km2}}. The city has actually grown to the south onto the [[Nøtterøy (island)|island of Nøtterøy]], so {{convert|10.37|km2|adj=on}} of the city and 17,979 residents are actually located in [[Færder Municipality]].<ref name="ssb">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |date=2023-01-01 |title=Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/statistikker/beftett/aar |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608035004/https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/statistikker/beftett/aar |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city of Tønsberg was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). The rural [[Sem Municipality]] was merged with the city of Tønsberg on 1 January 1988, creating a much larger [[Tønsberg Municipality]]. The neighboring [[Re Municipality]] was merged into Tønsberg on 1 January 2020.<ref name="snl" />

The city is home to [[Tønsberg Fortress]] on Slottsfjellet ("Castle Mountain"), which includes ruins from ''Castrum Tunsbergis'', Norway's largest castle in the 13th century. An outdoor music festival is held at Tønsberg Fortress every July.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Børresen |first=Svein E. |title=Vestfoldboka: en reise i kultur og natur |publisher=Skagerrak forlag |year=2004 |isbn=9788292284070 |page=55 |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=https://www.tonsberg.kommune.no/_f/p4/i5e4f1595-febb-4516-8d2a-a624a3fb102f/byguiden-tonsberg-2017_slottsfjellet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140911/https://www.tonsberg.kommune.no/_f/p4/i5e4f1595-febb-4516-8d2a-a624a3fb102f/byguiden-tonsberg-2017_slottsfjellet.pdf |archive-date=2018-06-12 |access-date=2018-06-17}}</ref><ref name="VN" /> Tønsberg is also home of [[Oseberg Ship#Burial mound|Oseberg Mound]], where the 9th-century ''[[Oseberg Ship]]'' was excavated.

==General information==
===Name===
The [[Old Norse]] name of the town was {{lang|non|Túnsberg}}. The first element is the [[genitive case]] of {{wikt-lang|non|tún}} ([[Grammatical gender|n]]) which means "fenced area", "garden", or "field around a dwelling". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|berg}} ([[Grammatical gender|n]]) which means "mountain" or "rock". The name originally referred to the fortifications on [[Tønsberg Fortress|Slottsfjellet]]. The old spelling of the name has been retained in the name of the local [[diocese]], [[Diocese of Tunsberg|Tunsberg bispedømme]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bynavn |url=https://www.sprakradet.no/sprakhjelp/Skriverad/navn-pa-steder-og-personer/Bynavn/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |publisher=[[Language Council of Norway]] |language=no |archive-date=13 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213005555/https://www.sprakradet.no/sprakhjelp/Skriverad/navn-pa-steder-og-personer/Bynavn/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Tønsberg komm.svg|thumb|left|90px|Seal of Tønsberg]]
===Coat of arms===
For a long time, the city did not have a formal [[coat of arms]], but instead an old medieval seal dating back to 1349 was used in its place. The blue and white circular seal shows the [[Tønsberg Fortress]] surrounded by a ring wall on a mountain with the sea in front. There is also a [[longship]] in the water in front of the fortress. Around the seal are the Latin words {{lang|la|SIGILLVM BVRGENSIVM D'TVNESBER}} which means "This is the seal of Tunsberg". The seal was also used for [[Tønsberg Municipality]] until 2020.<ref name="snl" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=T%C3%B8nsberg |access-date=2024-02-10 |publisher=Heraldry of the World |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023106/https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=T%C3%B8nsberg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tonsberg, Vestfold |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-07-04.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Flags of the World |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023310/https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-07-04.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
===Viking Age===
[[File:Slottsfjelltårnet_TBG.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tønsberg Fortress]]]]
[[File:Tønsberg_domkirke_2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tønsberg Cathedral]]]]
Tønsberg is the oldest city in Norway,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Norum |first=Roger |title=Frommer's Norway |publisher=Frommer’s |year=2011 |isbn=9780470972427 |page=4}}</ref><ref name="EvB">{{Cite book |last=Evensberget |first=Snorre |title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway |publisher=Penguin |year=2012 |isbn=9780756693305}}</ref>{{rp|230}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ham |first1=Anthony |title=Lonely Planet Norway |last2=Butler |first2=Stuart |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2015 |isbn=9781742202075 |page=87}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nickel |first1=Phyllis |title=Norwegian Cruising Guide—Vol 2: Sweden, West Coast and Norway, Swedish Border to Bergen |last2=Valderhaug |first2=Hans Jakob |publisher=Attainable Adventure Cruising Ltd |year=2017 |isbn=9780995893962 |page=87}}</ref> founded by [[Harald Fairhair]] in the 9th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Oslofjord &#124; Norway Travel Guide |url=https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/norway/oslo-oslofjord/the-oslofjord/tonsberg/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115857/https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/norway/oslo-oslofjord/the-oslofjord/tonsberg/ |archive-date=17 June 2018 |access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> It was also an ancient capital of Norway.<ref>{{Citation |last=Fodor |title=Fodor's Scandinavia 1988 |page=283 |year=1987 |publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications |isbn=9780679015581}}</ref> The first time the town was mentioned by a contemporary writer was in 1130. According to [[Snorri Sturluson]], Tønsberg was founded before the [[Battle of Hafrsfjord]], which, according to Snorri, took place in 871. The year of the battle is disputed and most current historians believe it was closer to 900. If it took place in 871, this makes Tønsberg one of the oldest present [[Scandinavia]]n cities. It was based upon this that the city's 1000 years jubilee was celebrated in 1871, and 1100 years jubilee in 1971. The archaeological excavations conducted in 1987–88 underneath the monastery ruins revealed several Viking graves which have served to confirm the earlier age of the original settlement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''History of the town'' (County Capital Tønsberg) |url=http://www.visitnorway.com/us/Product/?pid=30178 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522125130/http://www.visitnorway.com/us/Product/?pid=30178 |archive-date=2014-05-22 |access-date=2010-03-04}}</ref>

The King or his [[ombudsman]] resided in the old Royal Court at ''Sæheimr'', today the [[Jarlsberg Manor]] ({{langx|no|Jarlsberg Hovedgård}}), and on the farm ''Haugar'', (from the [[Old Norse]] word ''haugr'' meaning hill or burial mound), which can be assumed to have been Tønsberg's birthplace. Haugar became the seat for the [[Haugating]], the [[Thing (assembly)|Thing]] for Vestfold and Norway's second most important place for the proclamation of kings. The site had probably been named after two [[Viking Age]] mounds, which tradition links to two sons of King [[Harald Fairhair|Harald I]], [[Olaf Haraldsson Geirstadalf]], who was king in [[Vestfold]], and his half-brother, Sigrød Haraldsson, King of [[Trondheim]]. Both are presumed to have fallen in battle at Haugar against their half-brother [[Eric Bloodaxe]] and to have been buried on the same spot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Tønsberg History'' |url=http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/vestfold/toensberg/7635e48e567c830/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308163855/http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/vestfold/toensberg/7635e48e567c830/index.html |archive-date=2010-03-08 |access-date=2010-03-03 |website=GoNorway}}</ref>

Slottsfjellet (''Castle Mountain''), north of the city centre, made for a near impregnable natural fortress. During the [[Civil war era in Norway|civil war era]] of the 12th century, it was fortified by the [[Bagler]]s. The [[Birkebeiner]]s besieged it for 20 weeks in the winter of 1201 before the [[Bagler]]s surrendered. In the 13th century, King [[Haakon IV of Norway|Haakon Haakonson]] set up a castle in Tønsberg, [[Tønsberg Fortress]]. The town was destroyed by fire in 1536, but Tønsberg remained one of the most important harbour towns in Norway.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Tunsberghus'' (Old Tønsberg) |url=http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/tunsberg/slottsfjellet/castle-hill/slott3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511151314/http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/tunsberg/slottsfjellet/castle-hill/slott3.html |archive-date=2009-05-11 |access-date=2010-03-04}}</ref> [[James VI of Scotland]] stopped in Tønsberg on his way to meet [[Anne of Denmark]] in Oslo, and [[David Lindsay (bishop of Ross)|David Lindsay]] gave a sermon on 16 November 1589. The event was recorded by a painted inscription in the church, which survives in the museum.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stevenson |first=David |title=Scotland's Last Royal Wedding |publisher=John Donald |year=1997 |isbn=978-0859764513 |location=Edinburgh |page=5}}</ref>

===Whaling epoch===
[[File:Tønsberg_-_L0017_297Fo30141604260066.jpg|thumb|right|Whale-catchers in Tønsberg, 1952]]
[[File:Tønsberg_(14601908224).jpg|thumb|right|[[Widerøe]] aerial photography of town, July 1958]]
The center of the world's [[History of whaling#Modern whaling|modern whaling]] industry was concentrated in the cities of Tønsberg and neighboring [[Sandefjord (town)|Sandefjord]] and [[Larvik (town)|Larvik]], all of which were the dominant whaling towns in Norway.<ref name="HMW">{{cite book|last1=Tønnessen|first1=Johan Nicolay |first2=Arne Odd |last2=Johnsen |year=1982|title=The History of Modern Whaling|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520039735}}</ref>{{rp|25}} While whalers from Sandefjord established the first whaling station in the [[Faroe Islands]], whalers from Tønsberg initiated whaling in [[Iceland]] and the [[Hebrides]].<ref name="HMW" />{{rp|84}}

During the 1850s, Tønsberg turned into a base of operation and source of expertise for whalers in the [[Arctic Ocean|Arctic]] and [[Antarctic Ocean]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Swaney|first=Deanna |year=1999|title=Norway|publisher=Lonely Planet|page=155|isbn=9780864426543}}</ref> Tønsberg has been called "the cradle of modern whaling".<ref name="HMW" />{{rp|26}} In the 1892 publication "Handbook for Travellers in Norway" by [[John Murray (publishing house)|John Murray]], Tønsberg was described as "the centre of the Norwegian whaling and sealing industries in the Arctic Ocean."<ref>{{cite book|first=John |last=Murray |year=1892|title=Handbook for Travellers in Norway|publisher=John Murray|page=32}}</ref>

The first whaling ventures to [[Antarctica]] was led by engineer [[Henrik Henriksen]] of Tønsberg.<ref>{{cite book|last=Elliot|first=Gerald |year=1998|title=A Whaling Enterprise: Salvesen in the Antarctic|publisher=Michael Russell|page=18|isbn=9780859552417}}</ref> [[Henrik Johan Bull]] was another noted whaler from the city, known for his expeditions to Antarctica. Bull traveled from [[Australia]] to Tønsberg in order to learn from local whaler [[Svend Foyn]], who is recognized as the pioneer of the modern whaling industry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Riffenburgh|first=Beau |year=2007|title=Encyclopedia of the Antarctic|volume=1|publisher=Taylor & Francis|page=677|isbn=9780415970242}}</ref>

One of the city's most prominent residents, [[Svend Foyn]], was a pioneer who embarked on an 1847 expedition to the [[Arctic]], which led to a catch of 6,000 seals. Soon Tønsberg Harbor was home to a large fleet of sealing vessels, and the sealing industry grew further after the 1849 repeal of Britain's [[Navigation Acts]]. The hunters turned the seals to near extinction in the [[Arctic Ocean]], and therefore turned to [[Bottle-nosed whale]]s during the 1870s. Norway maintained a [[monopoly]] on European whaling until 1883, first and foremost due to Svend Foyn's patent rights to whaling techniques and inventions. Over-hunting in the Arctic eventually drove the whalers to Antarctica. By the beginning of the 20th century, Tønsberg had lost its preeminence in the whaling industry to the neighboring city of [[Sandefjord (town)|Sandefjord]].<ref name="HMW" />{{rp|60}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ring|first1=Trudy |first2=Noelle |last2=Watson |year=2013|title=Northern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places|publisher=Routledge|page=729|isbn=9781136639517}}</ref> Sandefjord, which lies just southwest of Tønsberg, later became known as the world's whaling capital.<ref>{{cite book|last=Engel|first=Lyle Kenyon |year=1963|title=Scandinavia: A Simon & Schuster Travel Guide|publisher=Cornerstone Library|page=145}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Ryder |first1=Simon |first2=Cameron|last2=Duffy |year=2018|title=Insight Guides Norway|publisher=Insight Guides|page=163|isbn=9781786717580}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Alspaugh|first=Emmanuelle |year=2006|title=Fodor's Norway|publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications|page=73|isbn=9781400016143}}</ref>

===World War II===
During the [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany|occupation of Norway]] in [[World War II]], the [[Berg concentration camp]] was constructed near Tønsberg. In 1948, Tønsberg became the [[cathedral city]] of the [[Diocese of Tunsberg]] ({{langx|no|Tunsberg bispedømme}}), based at the [[Tønsberg Cathedral]]. The diocese was created when the counties of [[Buskerud]] and [[Vestfold]] were separated from the [[Diocese of Oslo]].{{fact|date=February 2024}}

==Geography==
[[File:Brygga i Tønsberg.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Tønsberg Wharf in city centre]]
Tønsberg is a city southeastern in [[Vestfold|Vestfold County]], on the western shore of the [[Oslofjord]]. Tønsberg lies north of [[Færder]], south of [[Horten]], and north-east of [[Sandefjord]]. It is the ninth-largest city in Norway (by population).<ref name="ssb" /> The city center lies just north of [[Nøtterøy|Nøtterøy Island]].<ref name="snl" /> 

[[Tønsberg Station]] is 5–10 minutes walking from the main square in the city centre, known as ''Torvet''. From the main square is a few hundred meters along Rådhusgaten to the waterfront Tønsberg Wharf ("Tønsberg Brygge"), where most cafes, bars and restaurants are located. Just south of Tønsberg are the islands of [[Nøtterøy (island)|Nøtterøy]] and [[Tjøme (island)|Tjøme]], which are tourist destinations.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lee|first=Phil |year=2003|title=The Rough Guide To Norway|publisher=Rough Guides|page=122|isbn=9781843530541}}</ref>

The highest point in the city of Tønsberg is the {{convert|75|m|adj=on}} tall [[Frodeåsen]] hill on the north side of the city.

[[File:Tønsbergfjorden_in_Tønsberg.jpg|thumb|center|800px|The [[Tønsbergfjorden|Tønsberg Fjord]] as seen from [[Tønsberg Fortress]].]]

===Nature preserves===
Tønsberg and its immediate surroundings is home to five nature preserves:<ref name="snl" />
[[File:Presteroedkilen_Toensberg_Vestfold_panorama_2014-06-18.jpg|thumb|right|450px|Presterødkilen Nature Preserve.]]
* Akersvannet ([[wetland]]), on the border with [[Sandefjord]]
* Bliksekilen (wetland)
* Gullkronene ([[deciduous forest]])
* Ilene (wetland)
* Presterødkilen (wetland)

There is also a plant preserve at [[Karlsvika]] where the goal is the preservation of the threatened species fineleaf waterdropwort (''[[Oenanthe aquatica]]''), a rare species in Norway.<ref name="snl" />

==Climate==

{{Clear}}
{{Weather box
|location = Tønsberg - Kilen 1991–2020 (3 m)
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan mean C = -1.4
|Feb mean C = -1.2
|Mar mean C = 1.7
|Apr mean C = 6.2
|May mean C = 11.1
|Jun mean C = 15.0
|Jul mean C = 17.2
|Aug mean C = 16.8
|Sep mean C = 12.6
|Oct mean C = 7.3
|Nov mean C = 3.1
|Dec mean C = -0.7

<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
|precipitation colour=green <!-- Enter "green" for green precipitation colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
|Jan precipitation mm=73
|Feb precipitation mm=54
|Mar precipitation mm=48
|Apr precipitation mm=51
|May precipitation mm=71
|Jun precipitation mm=71
|Jul precipitation mm=72
|Aug precipitation mm=93
|Sep precipitation mm=86
|Oct precipitation mm=106
|Nov precipitation mm=95
|Dec precipitation mm=86
|year precipitation mm=906

|source = yr.no (mean, precipitation)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yr.no/en/statistics/table/5-27270/Norway/Vestfold/T%C3%B8nsberg/T%C3%B8nsberg%20(Kilen)?q=last-13-months = Weather statistics for Kilen}}</ref>
}}

==Government==
{{main article|Tønsberg Municipality#Government}}
From 1838 until 1988, the city of Tønsberg was a self-governing city within Norway. Since 1988, the city has been part of a much larger [[Tønsberg Municipality]]. The city/urban area is no longer self-governing, but rather the entire municipality is governed by a mayor and municipal council.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|align       = none
|direction   = horizontal
|percentages = pagr
|source      = [[Statistics Norway]]<ref name="ssb hist pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=26 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526133944/https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FM">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Folketelling 1960 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/folketellinger/kommunehefter/1960/kh_1960_0705.pdf |language=Norwegian |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023103/https://www.ssb.no/a/folketellinger/kommunehefter/1960/kh_1960_0705.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and Norwegian Historical Data Centre<ref name="NHDC">{{Cite web |last=Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet |author-link=University of Tromsø |title=Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC) |url=https://rhd.uit.no/folketellinger/reg_komm_e.html |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023146/https://rhd.uit.no/folketellinger/reg_komm_e.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|1801|1543
|1815|1490
|1825|1907
|1835|1970
|1845|2245
|1855|2874
|1865|4541
|1875|5174
|1891|7215
|1900|8611
|1910|9769
|1920|12568
|1930|11997
|1946|11883
|1951|12208
|1960|12591
|1970|11284
|1980|9247
|2000|43346
|2009|47465
|2020|53018
|2023|55387
}}
The whole urban area of the city of Tønsberg is the 9th most populous city/urban area in Norway and the largest city in [[Vestfold|Vestold County]].  The {{convert|26.31|km2|acre|adj=on}} city has a population (2023) of 55,387 and a [[population density]] of {{convert|2105|PD/km2}}. The city has actually grown to the south onto the [[Nøtterøy (island)|island of Nøtterøy]], so {{convert|10.37|km2|adj=on}} of the city and 17,979 residents are actually located in [[Færder Municipality]].<ref name="ssb" /> The urban area of the city of Tønsberg extends from [[Eik, Vestfold|Eik]] in the north, to [[Tolvsrød]], [[Vallø (Tønsberg)|Vallø]] and [[Ringshaug]] in the east and [[Borgheim]] on [[Nøtterøy (island)|Nøtterøy]] in the south. The city experienced a 20.8% population growth between 2000 and 2015, compared to 14.0% for Vestfold County as a whole. Furthermore, Tønsberg has the highest [[urbanization]] rate in Vestfold. While 94.6 percent of residents in Tønsberg Municipality are residing in cities, the equivalent number for Vestfold County is 84.8 percent.<ref name="snl" /> As of 2018, the largest minority groups were Polish (1.68%), Lithuanians (1.11%), Iraqis (1.06%), Swedes (0.75%), and Syrians (0.64%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=09817: Immigrants and Norwegian-born to immigrant parents, by immigration category, country background and percentages of the population (M) 2010 - 2021-PX-Web SSB |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09817/tableViewLayout1/?r |access-date=16 June 2018 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023110/https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09817/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Sport ==
[[FK Tønsberg]] is the premier football team in Tønsberg, currently playing in the [[2. divisjon]] as of 2017. 

[[Tønsberg Vikings]] is the local hockey team, who play at the [[Tønsberg Ishall]]. The club played in the [[GET-ligaen]] until 2014. The [[Maier Arena Tønsberg]] is an outdoor ice skating arena on the same site as the Tønsberg Ishall and is used for [[speed skating]]. It once hosted [[motorcycle speedway]], being the venue for the 1950 [[Norwegian Individual Speedway Championship|Norwegian Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmnorwegii.php |title=Individual Speedway Norwegian Championship |website=Historia Sportu Zuzlowego |access-date=15 February 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023120/https://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmnorwegii.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tønsberg hosted a round of the powerboating [[UIM F2 World Championship]] from 2014 to 2018.

==Tourist sites==
[[File:Tønsberg Olavskrk a.JPG|thumb|right|Ruins of St. Olav's Church.]]
Perhaps the most important landmark in the town is ''[[Tønsberg Fortress|Slottsfjellet]]'', the tower standing on the hill. It was erected in 1888 as a memorial to [[Tønsberg Fortress]] (''Tunsberg festning''), the old fortress, of which just fragmentary ruins remain today. Below the mountain there is a museum dedicated to "Slottsfjellet" and Tønsberg. There are several exhibitions here about [[whaling]] and the fortress, Tønsberg Fortress. Several streets in the town are named after old kings of Norway.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/tunsberg/slottsfjellet/index.html |title=Slottsfjellet og Tunsberg|publisher=Stiftelsen Gamle Tønsberg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180250/http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/tunsberg/slottsfjellet/index.html |archive-date=2011-07-24|language=no }}</ref>
[[File:Castrum Tunsbergis church ruins.jpg|thumb|right|Ruins of St Michael's Church.]]
Other notable tourist sites include:
*Haugar Art Museum (''Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum''), located in the former Seamen's School in the middle of Tønsberg, the brick building was built 1918–1921. The museum was established in 1993 as a foundation created by Vestfold county and municipality of Tønsberg. The museum is a division of Vestfold Museum (''Vestfoldmuseene''). Haugar Vestfold Art Museum is located in the parkland between the site of the ancient assembly of [[Haugating]] and the two Viking era mounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Haugar Vestfold Art Museum'' |publisher=Vestfoldmuseene IKS |url=http://www.haugar.com/?lan=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924073032/http://www.haugar.com/?lan=en |archive-date=24 September 2009 |access-date=4 March 2010}}</ref>
*Foynegården, the city's best-preserved merchant's yard. Foynegården is the site of a patrician houses from the 1700s where [[Svend Foyn]] was born in 1809.
*Ruins of St. Olav's Church (''Olavskirken''), a former monastery founded in 1191, located near the current Tønsberg Library.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Olavsklosteret i Tønsberg'' (Norges klostre i middelalderen) |url=http://www.katolsk.no/praksis/klosterliv/artikler/kap_11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518012020/http://www.katolsk.no/praksis/klosterliv/artikler/kap_11 |archive-date=18 May 2011 |access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref>
*Ruins of St Michael's Church (''Mikaelskirken''), ruins that are still visible on top of Castle Mountain by [[Tønsberg Fortress]]. The church was mentioned among the royal chapels. It is believed to have been destroyed in 1503 when Swedish soldiers razed fortifications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michaelkirken |url=http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/tunsberg/kirken/kirken02.html#Michaelkirken |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902151433/http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/tunsberg/kirken/kirken02.html#Michaelkirken |archive-date=2 September 2016 |access-date=1 September 2016 |publisher=De gamle kirkene i Tønsberg |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[Sem Church]] (''Sem kirke''), Vestfold's oldest stone church built before 1100 in the Romanesque style, located near the Jarlsberg Estate, just west of the city of Tønsberg<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/sem_slagen/kulturhistorie2_1/sem_kirke.html |title=Sem kirke (Kirkebygning og kirkekunst|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001100521/http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/sem_slagen/kulturhistorie2_1/sem_kirke.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |language=no}}</ref>
*[[Tønsberg Cathedral]] (''Tønsberg domkirke''), a brick church from 1858 with pulpit from 1621 and an altarpiece from 1764.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Tønsberg domkirke'' (Norsk Folkemuseum |url=http://www.nb.no/cgi-bin/galnor/gn_sok.sh?id=58081&skjema=2&fm=4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403032906/http://www.nb.no/cgi-bin/galnor/gn_sok.sh?id=58081&skjema=2&fm=4 |archive-date=3 April 2012 |access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref>
*Slottsfjell festival, one of the biggest happenings in Tønsberg through the year. People all over the country come to Tønsberg to participate, this festival is one of Tønsberg newly landmarks.

===Oseberg Mound===
[[File:Oseberghaugen.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Oseberg Ship#Burial mound|Oseberghaugen]]'', the Oseberg burial mound from early [[Viking Age]].]]
Tønsberg is the site of [[Oseberg Ship#Burial mound|Oseberg Mound]], a Viking era burial mound. The [[Oseberg Ship]] was found in the Oseberg burial mound in 1904. This Viking era [[longship]] is now in the [[Viking Ship Museum in Oslo]]. Archaeological excavations in 1904 uncovered history's largest and richest example of craftsmanship from the Viking Age. In addition to the Oseberg Ship, Oseberghaugen contained the Oseberg carriage, five intricately carved bed-posts shaped like animal heads, four sledges, beds, chests, weaving-frames, household utensils and much more. Scientific examinations in 1992 now date the burial to 834 AD, and indicate a probability that it was [[Queen Alvhild]], the first wife of [[Gudrød the Hunter|King Gudrød]], who was buried here.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Oseberghaugen – Royal mound in Tønsberg'' (Attractions in Tønsberg) |url=http://www.visittonsberg.com/en/attractions/%28tellus%29/?lang=en&id=5379 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717225311/http://www.visittonsberg.com/en/attractions/(tellus)/?lang=en&id=5379 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |access-date=3 March 2010}}</ref>

When unearthed, the ship was buried in blue clay and covered with stones beneath the {{convert|6|m|adj=on}} high Oseberg Mound.<ref name="EvB" />{{rp|85}}

==Economy==
[[File:Tønsberg ØLanggt b.JPG|thumb|right|Øvre Langgate street (Tønsberg)]]
Tønsberg is mostly a shopping town and an administrative centre. It is also noted especially for its [[Silver (household)|silverware]].

==Transport==
The city is served by the railway line [[Vestfold Line|Vestfoldbanen]], which runs in a loop through the city before reaching [[Tønsberg Station]].

==In popular culture==
Tønsberg has been featured as a location in several films, most notably those set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU). It is first mentioned in the 2010 film ''[[Iron Man 2]]'' as a location under surveillance by [[S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]]<ref name="ScreenRant">{{Cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=2019-05-05 |title=[SPOILER] In Avengers: Endgame Pays Off Original Thor & Captain America Films |url=https://screenrant.com/new-asgard-tonsberg-avengers-endgame-thor-captain-america/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511172039/https://screenrant.com/new-asgard-tonsberg-avengers-endgame-thor-captain-america/ |archive-date=11 May 2019 |access-date=10 June 2019 |website=Screen Rant}}</ref> In the 2011 film ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'', it is established that centuries ago, Tønsberg was the invasion point of the [[Frost Giants (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Frost Giants]] of [[Jotunheim (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Jotunheim]], who sought to conquer Earth before they were defeated by [[Odin (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Odin]] and the forces of [[Asgard (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Asgard]]. It is then seen in ''[[Captain America: The First Avenger]]'', where the [[Red Skull (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Red Skull]] acquires the [[Tesseract (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Tesseract]] from a church.<ref name="ScreenRant" /> In the 2017 film ''[[Thor: Ragnarok]]'', Odin chooses the town as the site of his death. In ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'', the town is renamed "New Asgard" and serves as a refuge for the [[Asgardians (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Asgardians]] who survived Thanos's attack during the events of ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'', with [[Valkyrie (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Valkyrie]] as its leader.<ref name="ScreenRant" /> In ''[[Thor: Love and Thunder]]'', New Asgard has become a tourist attraction but suffers political turmoil as a result of the discrimination of Earth's governments against otherworldly beings. The Tønsberg raid by Hydra is also recreated in the first episode of ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'', albeit it occurs much later than in ''Captain America: The First Avenger''.

Tønsberg is also featured in the 2010 game ''[[Mount and Blade: Warband]]''{{'}}s Viking Conquest expansion as the capital of the Kingdom of Northvegr.

==Notable people==
[[File:Margaret, Maid of Norway.jpg|140px|thumb|Margaret, Maid of Norway in Lerwick Town Hall]]
[[File:Stoltenberg-CP Stoltenberg.jpg|140px|thumb|CP Stoltenberg, 1820]]
[[File:Johan Sverdrup (engraving by H P Hansen).jpg|140px|thumb|Johan Sverdrup, 1874]]
[[File:Riksaasen Dahl 06.jpg|140px|thumb|Laila Riksaasen Dahl, 2006]]
{{main category|People from Tønsberg Municipality}}

=== Royalty ===
* [[Bjørn Farmann]] (died {{circa|930}}), the King of [[Vestfold]] who founded Tønsberg
* [[Magnus VI of Norway]] (1238–1280), the King of Norway (as Magnus VI) from 1263 to 1280
* [[Margaret, Maid of Norway]] (1283–1290), the Queen-designate of Scotland from 1286
* [[Else Werring]] (1905–1989), a Norwegian royal hostess and [[Chief Court Mistress]] from 1958

=== Public Service & Business ===
* [[Cecilie Christine Schøller]] (1720–1786), a socialite who built [[Stiftsgården]], a royal residence
* [[Carl Peter Stoltenberg]] (1770–1830), a merchant and representative at [[Norwegian Constituent Assembly]]
* [[Adrian Benjamin Bentzon]] (1777–1827), the Governor of the [[Danish West Indies]] from 1816 to 1820
* [[Gregers Winther Wulfsberg]] (1780–1846), a jurist and representative at the [[Norwegian Constituent Assembly]]
* [[Svend Foyn]] (1809–1894), a shipping and whaling [[magnate]] who introduced [[Seal hunting|sealing]] to Vestfold
* [[Johan Henrik Dietrichs]] (1809–1886), a merchant and mayor of the town
* [[Johan Sverdrup]] (1816–1892), a liberal politician and [[prime minister of Norway]] from 1884 to 1889
* [[Wilhelm Wilhelmsen (1839–1910)|Wilhelm Wilhelmsen]] (1839–1910), a shipping [[magnate]] and founder of the [[Wilh. Wilhelmsen|Wilh. Wilhelmsen Shipping Company]]
* [[Henrik Johan Bull]] (1844–1930), a whaler and pioneering Antarctic explorer
* brothers [[Peter Christophersen]] (1845–1930) & [[Søren Andreas Christophersen]] (1849–1933), diplomats in Argentina
* [[Niels Johan Føyn]] (1860–1945), a meteorologist
* [[Axel Thue]] (1863–1922), a [[Norwegian American]] [[mathematician]]
* [[Ditlef Hvistendahl Christiansen]] (1865–1944), a Norwegian [[Supreme Court of Norway|Supreme Court Justice]] from 1911–1936
* [[Ole O. Lian]] (1868–1925), a politician and leader of the [[Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions]]
* [[Halfdan M. Hanson]] (1884–1952), a [[Norwegian American]] architect
* [[Ole Aanderud Larsen]] (1884–1964), a ship designer who designed the ''[[Endurance (1912 ship)|Endurance]]''
* [[Eugène Olaussen]] (1887–1962), a newspaper editor and politician (from [[Communist Party of Norway|communist]] to [[Nasjonal Samling|Nazi]])
* [[Arnold Rørholt (jurist)|Arnold Rørholt]] (1909–1986), a jurist and refugee worker
* [[Ebba Lodden]] (1913–1997), a civil servant, politician, and first female [[County governor (Norway)|County Governor]]
* [[Jan Mehlum]] (born 1945), an author and academic who comes from Tønsberg
* [[Laila Riksaasen Dahl]] (born 1947), a theologian and bishop of the [[Diocese of Tunsberg]] from 2002-2014
* [[Jan Otto Myrseth]] (born 1957) a prelate and current [[Diocese of Tunsberg|Bishop of Tunsberg]]
* [[Per Arne Olsen]] (born 1961), a politician and Mayor of Tønsberg from 2003 to 2009
* [[Reidar Hjermann]] (born 1969), a psychologist and former Children's Ombudsman of Norway
* [[Joshua French]] (born 1982), a Norwegian-British murderer convicted in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]

=== The Arts ===
[[File:Clara Tschudi NFB.33220.jpg|140px|thumb|Clara Tschudi, 1911]]
[[File:Aqua_Gron_Concert_2008.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Lene Nystrøm]], vocalist in [[Aqua (band)|Aqua]]]]
[[File:Monica Hansen 29.jpg|140px|thumb|Monica Hansen, 2020]]
* [[Mathias Stoltenberg]] (1799–1871), a portrait painter and furniture restorer
* [[Clara Tschudi]] (1856–1945), a writer of biographies of contemporary and historical women
* [[Elisabeth Meyer (photographer)|Elisabeth Meyer]] (1899–1968), a photographer and journalist
* [[Thomas Thomassen]] (1878–1962), an actor, director, and theater manager<ref>{{IMDb name|0859738|Thomas Thomassen}}. Retrieved 4 February 2021.</ref>
* [[Per Gjersøe]] (1908–1980), an actor and film director<ref>{{IMDb name|0321534|Per Gjersøe}}. Retrieved 4 February 2021.</ref>
* [[Kåre Holt]] (1916–1997), an author from [[Våle]]
* [[Per Asplin]] (1928–1996), a pianist, singer, composer, and actor<ref>{{IMDb name|0039687|Per Asplin}}. Retrieved 4 February 2021.</ref>
* [[Kjell Heggelund]] (1932–2017), a literary researcher, lecturer, editor, poet, and literary critic
* [[Wenche Blomberg]] (born 1943), an author, journalist, librarian, and criminologist
* [[Bjørn Floberg]] (born 1947), an actor of film, TV, and theatre<ref>{{IMDb name|0282463|Bjørn Floberg}}. Retrieved 4 February 2021.</ref>
* [[Jahn Teigen]] (1949–2020), a singer, comedian, and three-time competitor in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]]
* [[Ingvar Ambjørnsen]] (1956–2025), a writer who was born in Tønsberg
* [[Gro Dahle]] (born 1962), an author and poet who grew up in Tønsberg
* [[Egil Nyhus]] & [[Svein Nyhus]] (born 1962), twin brothers who are both illustrators
* [[Sturla Berg-Johansen]] (born 1967), a stand-up comedian who comes from Tønsberg
* [[:no:Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen|Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen, (Norwegian Wiki)]] (born 1971), a Latvian filmmaker who lives in Tønsberg
* [[Lene Nystrøm]] (born 1973), the lead vocalist of the Danish-Norwegian dance group [[Aqua (band)|Aqua]]
* [[Line Horntveth]] (born 1974) & [[Martin Horntveth]] (born 1977) & [[Lars Horntveth]] (born 1980), siblings were all jazz musicians
* [[Frøy Aagre]] (born 1977), a jazz tenor and soprano saxophone player
* [[Jonas Bendiksen]] (born 1977), a photographer and member of [[Magnum Photos]]
* [[Monica Hansen]] (born 1982), a model, television host, and swimwear designer
* [[Seigmen]] (formed 1989), an alternative rock band that comes from Tønsberg
* Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll (born 1991) known as [[Kygo]], a DJ, songwriter, and record producer<ref>{{IMDb name|7059998|Kygo}}. Retrieved 4 February 2021.</ref>
* [[Adelén]] (born 1996), a singer
* [[Emma Ellingsen]] (born 2001), a transgender model and YouTuber
[[File:Hjalmar Andersen, Norwegian speed skater.jpg|140px|thumb|Hjalmar Andersen, 2010]]
[[File:Ronny Johnsen (2017-07-29 img05).jpg|140px|thumb|Ronny Johnsen, 2017]]
[[File:John Arne Riise.JPG|140px|thumb|John Arne Riise, 2009]]

=== Sport ===
* [[Hjalmar Andersen]] (1923–2013), a speed skater who won three gold medals at the [[1952 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Ronny Johnsen]] (born 1969), a former footballer with [[Manchester United F.C.]] who has 384 club caps and 62 with [[Norway national football team|Norway]], lives in Tønsberg
* [[Linda Cerup-Simonsen]] (born 1969), a sailor and team gold medallist at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Anders Aukland]] (born 1972), a cross-country skier and team gold medallist, [[2002 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Rune Monstad]] (born 1973) known as ''The Viking Biker'', a Norwegian cyclist who cycled around the world on a 27-speed Gekko mountain bike from 2005 to 2010
* [[Morten Hagen]] (born 1974), a professional golfer
* [[Kristine Duvholt Havnås]] (born 1974), a former Norwegian team handballer, team silver medallist at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]], and team bronze medallist at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Tonje Larsen]] (born 1975), a retired Norwegian Olympic team champion handballer 
* [[Olaf Tufte]] (born 1976), a rower, firefighter, and farmer who won four Olympic medals
* [[John Arne Riise]] (born 1980), a former footballer with [[Liverpool F.C.]] who has 546 club caps and 110 with  [[Norway national football team|Norway]], lives in Tønsberg
* [[Espen Bugge Pettersen]] (born 1980), a former football goalkeeper with 440 club caps
* [[Lisa-Marie Woods]] (born 1984), a professional football midfielder
* [[Kjetil Borch]] (born 1990), a world rowing champion and two-time Olympic medallist
* [[Magnus Carlsen]] (born 1990), a [[chess grandmaster]] and former [[World Chess Championship|World Chess Champion]]
* [[Anine Rabe]] (born 1992), a former figure skater
* [[Ali Srour]] (born 1994), a Lebanese professional boxer

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Tønsberg_Møllegaten.jpg|Møllers Gaten
File:Tønsberg,_Norway_(5251970851).jpg|Tønsberg during winter
File:Tønsberg_Torvgaten_002.jpg|Torvgaten in the city centre
File:Kunstmuseum_Tønsberg_Norway_june_2014_minnebauta.jpg|[[Haugar Art Museum]]
File:Tønsberg_tønne.jpg|[[Østerøya#Tønsberg Barrel|Tønsberg Barrel]] on [[Østerøya|East Island]] in [[Sandefjord]] 
File:Part_of_panorama_photo_of_Tønsberg,_Vestfold_-_Riksantikvaren-T084_01_0527_from_1908_-_Slottsfjellet,_Slottsfjellstårnet,_Slottsfjellmuseet,_Slottsfjellskolen,_Nordbyen,_Tønsberg_domkirke,_Tønsberg_gamle_stasjon,_hotell,_båter,_T.jpg|Tønsberg in January 1908
File:Osebergshögen_Tønsberg.jpg|[[Oseberg Ship#Burial mound|Oseberg Mound]], where the 9th century 22-metre ''[[Oseberg Ship]]'' was discovered
</gallery>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Norway}}
The following cities are [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with Tønsberg:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samarbeid og prosjekter |url=http://www.tonsberg.kommune.no/cms/cms.nsf/$all/1A693834AEEEC028C125733F006CBE98 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202115834/http://tonsberg.kommune.no/cms/cms.nsf/$all/1A693834AEEEC028C125733F006CBE98 |archive-date=2 February 2009 |access-date=2009-01-14 |publisher=Tønsberg kommune |language=no |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Covarrubias, Spain|Covarrubias]], Spain
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Évora]], Portugal
*{{flagicon|ISL}} [[Ísafjörður]], Iceland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Joensuu]], Finland
*{{flagicon|GRE}} [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]], Greece
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Linköping]], Sweden
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ravenna]], Italy
*{{flagicon|IRE}} [[Waterford]], Ireland

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tønsberg}}
{{wiktionary|Tønsberg}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Vestfold}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Tønsberg}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170807/http://www-bib.hive.no/tekster/skolehistorie/navskole/index.html Tønsberg Navigasjonsskole]
*[http://www.haugar.com/?lan=en Haugar Art Museum]

{{Vestfold}}
{{Most populous urban areas of Norway|state=collapsed}}
{{50 most populous Nordic urban settlements}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonsberg}}
[[Category:Tønsberg Municipality| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places in Vestfold]]
[[Category:9th-century establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 9th century]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Norway]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea]]