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Hamar is the capital of Hedmark county in SE Norway, on Lake Mjøsa. Formerly called "Hedemarken", Hedmark includes also the cities of Østerdalen, Elverum, Finnskogen, Kongsvinger, Solør & Tynset and Mjøsa Lake. The landscape varies from undulating in the north to fertile lowlands in the south. Mt. Raufjell (919 m) is the borough’s highest mountain.

Hamar was founded in 1152 as an Episcopal see by Nicholas Breakspear (later Pope Adrian IV) and is now a Lutheran Episcopal. The historical roots date back to Viking and medieval times.

Hamar was the only one of Norway's important administrative centres during the Middle Ages that perished after the Reformation. The once-imposing cathedral and the high walls of the bishop's palace no longer dominate the town. But the districts around Hamar are still rich in history.

On pennies minted under Harald Hardråde (1047-1066) inscriptions can be found indicating Hamar as a mint site. Together with Nidarnes (Trondheim), Hamar is the oldest mint site in Norwegian history.

Standstuen is the city’s oldest building and is sited next door to Hamar Cathedral.

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