Rjukan

Rjukan tells the story of its industrial past through more than individual buildings: the town is part of the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, and a preserved railway station, a sun mirror on the mountainside and unique outdoor experiences also shape its character. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment for a trip focused on culture, hiking or winter ice climbing, you’ll find a range of ways to make the most of your stay here.

Industrial history and town life

Vemork was once the largest power station in the world and is now part of the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Rjukan is represented there as a company town with workers’ housing and social facilities. Rail and ferry connections linked the town to ports that were important for shipping fertilizer. This means the industrial history can also be seen as a story of work, housing and transport.

At Vemork, the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum focuses on the Second World War and the industrialization of Rjukan. The Heavy Water Cellar houses an interactive exhibition. Together, these attractions appeal to visitors interested in different chapters of industrial and modern history. Vemork was also the setting for a fire during the filming of “The Heroes of Telemark”: after the fire, Rjukan Church was rebuilt and renovated in a modern style in 1965.

Rjukan railway station is another tangible testament to the town’s history. The preserved complex includes buildings, tracks, technical installations and railway vehicles. The station can be explored outdoors all year round. This historic outdoor complex offers an alternative to exhibitions and can be included in your explorations independently of a museum visit.

Mirrors, town walks and waterfalls

The sun mirror on a mountainside is an unusual landmark. It is installed at 742 metres above sea level and lies about 450 metres above Rjukan’s market square. Three computer-controlled mirrors track the sun’s movement and reflect its rays onto the market square. The technology is thus directed at a specific place in the townscape.

If you’d like to explore the town on foot, you can choose a guided hydrant safari. On this walk, the distinctive fire hydrants lead the way to stories about industry, architecture, the development of the community and influential figures. Another walk through the centre starts at Torget and can continue along Kjærlighetsstien into a nature reserve. For a hike between the town of Rjukan and Gaustatoppen, the railway station is the starting point for the trail.

Rjukanfossen is also part of the area’s natural history: the waterfall is 104 metres high and helped boost tourism in Rjukan. The region is also home to more than 192 frozen waterfalls. During an especially long and stable winter season, they provide good conditions for ice climbers. This means winter activities offer a different kind of trip from a visit focused on the town’s history and walks.

Water experiences throughout the year

Rjukanbadet offers a wide range of water and bathing facilities: a children’s pool, a sports pool, a climbing wall, a whirlpool, a therapy pool, a steam room, a sauna, water slides and diving boards. The outdoor area is open year-round and includes a 33-degree pool, a whirlpool and a current channel. If you’d like to include swimming alongside culture and outdoor activities on your trip, Rjukanbadet can be a destination in its own right.

These experiences offer a variety of reasons to consider Rjukan as a holiday destination, without having to limit your stay to just one theme.

Discover more places

If you’d also like to explore other destinations: Miland, Austbygdi, Tinn, Hovin I Telemark.

Back to the main travel overview: Tinn.