Asker was originally named Askar, which in the old Norwegian was the plural of “ash tree”. Today Asker is both a city and a village with Asker centre at the heart of the municipality. It has a population of roughly 95.000 living on an area of 376 km2 since the municipality merged in 2020 between Asker, Røyken and Hurum.

From the fields to the fjord Asker is distinctly green. Characteristic of Asker’s landscape are the 350 metre tall ridges Vardåsen and Skaugumåsen, many rolling hills, lakes and ponds and a beautiful coastline. Silence and natural beauty can be found along Semsvannet (“Lake Sem”); one of the “portals” to Vestmarka, a beloved hiking area all year round.

Culture lies in both the historical and the contemporary. Asker has places, buildings, memorials and associations that support the municipality’s cultural heritage. In this respect, the church has been the most important flag-bearer of Asker’s culture. Today the symbol of Asker has tree sails to symbolism drive and progress and the number of the 3 municipalities that merged.

An important part of Asker’s vibrant culture is linked with the Hvalstad valley, also known as “Artists’ valley”. Tilla and Otto Valstad’s home is now a part of Asker Museum. Today Asker’s cultural centre is unquestionably the Asker Cultural House, Trekanten and Sekkefabrikken in Slemmestad.