Høyjord


Høyjord is a minor village in the municipality of Sandefjord, Norway, with a population of 379 as of 2005. It is famous for the Høyjord Stave Church. Høyjord, which was part of the former municipality of Andebu, was transferred along with Andebu into Sandefjord on 1 January 2017. Some Høyjord residents wanted the village transferred to neighbouring Re, but the village was ultimately merged into Sandefjord. The village is home to an elementary school, kindergarten, and various sports and youth organizations. Illestadvannet Lake is used for recreation and swimming. It is also home to the only stave church still found in Vestfold County.
Høyjord, pronounced "Høyjol", derives from the farm name Haugagerði, which means "fenced-in land of several mounds." The village name was previously written Haughagiaurdi, Haughagiorde, Haagiord and Haajord, and later Høijord and Høyjord.