The first town formation known in North Norway, V�gar, was situated around the narrow, natural harbor near Kabelv�g, just west of Svolv�r. V�gar is mentioned in the book Heimskringla, and might have been established as early as the year 800.
One of the first churches in North Norway was most likely built here, approximately 900 years ago. The great cod fisheries in winter has always been the most important economical foundation for the town, but fish farming (salmon) is also important in V�gan, as is Secoraand Lofotkraft.
Town status
Svolv�r was an important fishing village for a long time, and because of this, it was given town status in 1918. On 1 July 1918, the new town of Svolv�r was separated from the municipality of V�gan to become its own municipality. Initially, the new municipality had 2,429 residents.
On 1 January 1964, Svolv�r municipality was merged with the municipalities of Gims�y and V�gan to form the new, larger municipality of V�gan. Prior to the merger, Svolv�r had 3,952 residents. Due to this merger, Svolv�r lost its status as a "town".
After a new law was passed, Svolv�r was able to declare itself a "town" again in 1996.
Name
The place is first mentioned in 1567 ("Suoluer"), but it is probably much older. The Old Norse form of the name is assumed to be Sv?lver. The first element is probably derived from svalr which means 'cool' or 'chilly', and the last element is ver which means 'fishing village'
