Baneheia

Baneheia is an area in Kristiansand in Norway, mostly known at the national level from the Baneheia case, as the scene of a notorious murder of two girls aged 8 and 10 that took place in 2000. The area is a local recreational area with lakes and forest. The Baneheia area, close to Downtown Kristiansand and Ravnedalen Park, was given to the citizens of Kristiansand by king Christian 4th of Denmark-Norway when the city was founded in 1641.

Coordinates: 58°09′13″N 7°59′09″E / 58.15367°N 7.98586°E

Baneheia as a recreational area

3. Stampe, a lake in Baneheia.

Drageknatten, a viewpoint with magnificent views of the city.

The lake called '3. stampe' or 'Stampa' is a popular swimming lake with a couple of small beaches and nice water temperatures during summer. On the "Drageknatten" hill, the you can get a nice view of the city center and the docks. Baneheia is used for jogging during spring, summer and autumn and can be used for skiing during winter if there's enough snow. Some parts of the area are even accessible by wheelchair users.

History

Baneheia used to be quite a sad view, as the trees were gone because of the inhabitants' need of wood. In the 1800s, general Joseph Frantz Oscar Wergeland used soldiers from the city's garrison to plant trees, build stairs, roads etc. and made Baneheia into what it is today.

Baneheia murders

The area is also known for the infamous double murder incident which occurred in May 2000. Two young girls were raped and murdered close by '3. Stampe' -lake and their bodies hidden in the adjacent woods. The case sent shock-waves through Norwegian society and the name "baneheia" is today mostly synonymous with the gruesome crime.^[1]

References

1. Norsk Telegrambyrå. "Fakta om Baneheia-drapene". Vg.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2012-08-28.