Dirdal Explained

Official Name:Dirdal
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Rogaland#Norway
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Rogaland county
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Norway
Subdivision Name1:Western Norway
Subdivision Name2:Rogaland
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Jæren
Subdivision Type4:Municipality
Subdivision Name4:Gjesdal
Utc Offset1:+01:00
Utc Offset1 Dst:+02:00
Postal Code Type:Post Code
Postal Code:4335 Dirdal
Elevation M:10
Elevation Footnotes:[1]
Coordinates:58.8339°N 6.1808°W

Dirdal is a village in Gjesdal municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The village is located where the Frafjorden joins the main Høgsfjorden. The village lies at the end of the Dirdalen valley, which stretches to the southeast from Dirdal. The village of Gilja lies about into the valley. The village of Oltedal lies about west of Dirdal. Dirdal Church is located in the village.

The Dirdalen valley is about 10km (10miles) long, following the Dirdalsåna river. The valley is connected to the neighboring valley of Frafjord by the Frafjord Tunnel which runs through the mountains and ends at the village of Gilja.[2]

History

Prior to 1 January 1965, the village (and valley) were part of the municipality of Forsand. This area was moved to Gjesdal because there was no road connection from Dirdal to the rest of Forsand, but there was a road connection to the rest of Gjesdal.[3]

Dirdal was the scene of fierce fighting between Norwegian and German soldiers during Nazi Germany's assault on Norway (Operation Weserübung) in April 1940.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dirdal, Gjesdal (Rogaland). yr.no. Norwegian. 2016-03-01.
  2. Web site: Dirdalen. Store norske leksikon. Store norske leksikon. Norwegian. 2016-03-01.
  3. Web site: Dag. Jukvam. Statistisk sentralbyrå. Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen. 1999. Norwegian.