Bardu (Northern Sami: Bearddu suohkan, Kven: Perttulan komuuni) is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Setermoen, the largest urban area in the municipality.

Norway's largest military garrison is located at Setermoen. The military is the municipality's largest employer and more than 1,000 young soldiers perform their duty service here each year. The world's most northern zoo, Polar Zoo is located in the southern part of the municipality.

The municipality of Bardodalen was established in 1854 when the eastern part of the municipality of Ibestad was separated to form the new municipality. The initial population of the new municipality was 757. The municipal borders have not changed since then, although the name was later changed to Bardu.

Bardu is a Norwegianized form of the Sámi name Beardu. The meaning of the Sámi name is probably "long and steep mountain side". Prior to 1889, the municipality was called "Bardodalen" which meant "the valley/dale of Bardo". From 1889 until 1908, the name was written "Bardo". Since 1909, it has been spelled "Bardu".

The coat-of-arms is from modern times. They were granted on 6 June 1980. The arms show a black wolverine on a gold background. It was chosen as a symbol for the large forests and the rich wildlife in the municipality. As municipality flower is chosen Rock Speedwell (Veronica fruticans)

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Bardu. It is part of the Indre Troms deanery in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

...
Wikipedia