almna

Almna is a small village situated in the municipality of Heim in the county of Trøndelag, Norway. It lies on the eastern coast of the Trøndelag region, approximately 25 kilometres south of the city of Trondheim, and is surrounded by the fertile valley of the Nidelva River. The village is part of the historic district of Halsa, known for its traditional Norwegian rural landscape.

The earliest documented reference to Almna dates back to the mid‑13th century, when it was mentioned in ecclesiastical records as a minor settlement within the larger Halsa parish. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Almna developed a modest sawmill industry that took advantage of the surrounding pine forests. The mill in 1915 was the main employer and helped to establish a stable population core.

As of the 2021 national census, Almna’s population was recorded at 732 residents. Most inhabitants are ethnic Norwegians who speak standard Norwegian; a minority of the population are of Sami background. The village's demographic profile is typical of rural Trøndelag, with a slightly higher proportion of older adults compared to the national average.

The local economy today relies primarily on agriculture, small‑scale forestry, and a growing number of residents who commute to nearby towns for employment. Several family‑owned farms produce dairy and root vegetables, while the region’s forests continue to supply timber for both domestic use and export. A small manufacturing plant, established in the 1970s, produces wooden furniture and supplies local and regional markets.

Almna is home to the historic St. Bror Church, a wooden structure built in 1732 that serves as a landmark for the community. The church hosts an annual midsummer festival that attracts visitors from surrounding areas. In addition, the village’s local library houses a small collection of regional historical texts and archives.

Infrastructure in Almna includes a district road that connects it to the E39 highway and public bus services that provide regular links to Trondheim, Stjørdal, and Ålesund. The village also has a primary school, a community centre and a volunteer fire department. Public utilities such as water, electricity, and telecommunication are supplied by regional providers.

Notable figures from Almna include Norwegian author Karin Øye, whose early childhood in the village influenced several of her literary works set in rural Norway. The author attended the local school and later returned during retirement to document local folklore. While the village remains modest in size, it continues to maintain its cultural heritage and contributes to the broader tapestry of Trøndelag's rural communities.