Barbu, Norway


Barbu is part of the town of Arendal in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is also a former municipality which existed from 1878 until 1902 when it was merged into Arendal. The municipality was located just to the north of the town of Arendal. The administrative centre of the small, urban municipality was called Barbu as well. Barbu Church was the church for the municipality. Today, the name Barbu refers to the village-like place located in head of the Galtesundet strait. Barbu is also a parish in the Arendal prosti within the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

History

Originally, Barbu was a part of the municipality of Østre Moland that was created on 1 January 1838. On 1 May 1878, Østre Moland was divided to form three municipalities: Barbu, Østre Moland, and Tromøy. On 1 January 1902, Barbu was merged with the town of Arendal, vastly increasing the size of the town. Before the merger, Barbu had a population of 6,787.

Name

The Old Norse form of the name is Berubú which may be derived from the female name Bera or it may be from the name of the local river.