Grimstad (town)

Grimstad (pronounced [ˈɡrɪ̀mstɑ] ) is a town in Grimstad Municipality in Agder county, Norway. The town is the administrative centre of the municipality. It is located on the Skagerrak coast in Southern Norway along the Groosefjorden, between the towns of Arendal (to the northeast) and Lillesand (to the southwest). The 10.86-square-kilometre (2,680-acre) town has a population (2025) of 15,196 and a population density of 1,399 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,620/sq mi). Grimstad Church is located on a small hill overlooking the town's harbour. The University of Agder is located in the town as well. The village of Grømstad existed for a long time as part of the ancient prestegjeld of Fjære. It is reportedly first mentioned as a harbor in the 16th century. Eight years after he was deposed, King Christian II of Denmark–Norway (1513–1523) attempted to recover his kingdoms. A tempest scattered his fleet off the Norwegian coast, and on 24 October 1531, they took refuge at Grimstad.