Difference between revisions of "Rjukan"

Revision as of 06:50, 21 September 2024

Rjukan_Banner_Gaustatoppen - View from Mount Gausta

Rjukan is a town (population 3,400) in the Tinn municipality of Telemark, Norway. The town was founded in 1908 by Sam Eyde, who started the plan of building a city from scratch, after buying the renowned Rjukan waterfall to make electric power for fertilizer production. The Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site is on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 2015.

VemorkHydroelectricPlant - Vemork hydroelectric power plant

Rjukan Halal Travel Guide

Rjukanfossen II - Rjukan waterfall - rare occasion of full flow.

The small town of Rjukan emerged because of the hydro power and factories producing artificial fertilizer established there. A short railway line connected the factory and power plant to Tinn lake where a special railway ferry carried wagons along the lake with further connections to Notodden and the ocean.

The name Rjukan refers to the Rjukan waterall (literally the "steaming" or "smoking" waterfall), this waterfall was used at the Vemork hydro power station (largest in the world when it was constructed in 1911). The waterfall has a total drop of about 240 meters, of which about 100 meters is vertical. Because of the hydro power the waterfall is now seen occasionally during summer. The waterfall was in the 1800s regarded as Norway's top tourist attraction, and one of the first outside visitors reported that he had discovered the "tallest waterfall in the world" (a slight exaggeration). Others described it as a "lovely and mighty waterfall beyond imagination."

Rjukan sits in a deep, narrow valley beneath the high barren plateau, partly known as Hardangervidda. A single distinct summit, Mount Gausta (1883 m.a.s.), rise above the plateau. Mt Gausta is probably the summit that offers the widest panorama, it has been estimated that the panorama covers some 60,000 km² (twice the size of Belgium). Sam Eyde proposed an idea of bringing winter light to Rjukan about a century ago. Due to its location in a deep valley, Rjukan does not see sun between October and March. A project of mirrors installed on top of an adjacent mountain turning toward the sun as it moves along the sky and reflecting its light to the town square was completed in 2013.

During the world War II in Europe|second world war the German occupants produced heavy water at the Vemork facilities in Rjukan. Heavy water could potentially be used to produce nuclear weapons and the allies decided to destroy the production facility. In a daring and bold operation, a group of Norwegian commandos flown in from Britain managed to enter the plant and blow it up (no shots were fired and nobody killed). The movie Heroes of Telemark (1965) is based on the operation and was produced in Rjukan by Kirk Douglas (with son Michael in one his first jobs in the film industry).

Travel to Rjukan

By car

Recommended route is Oslo -Drammen -Kongsberg -Bolkesjø -Rjukan (180 km; 2½ hours). Alternative route Oslo -Drammen -Kongsberg -Notodden -Rjukan takes 15 minutes longer. From western Norway, you take off E-134 to Arabygdi and then on to Road 37.

Travel on a Bus in Rjukan

Search on Normal travel duration is 3 hours from the capital Oslo. Most common is bus all the way with change in Notodden (the Haugesund express and local bus), or train to Kongsberg and bus to Rjukan with change in Notodden.

Get Around

What to See

Mount Gausta - Gaustatoppen | Web: at=Natureattractions&lang=en&tellusid=36579&rk= Gaustaområdet 59.854139, 8.650333 Situated 15 kilometers east of the town. Free admission Gaustatoppen Highest summit south of Hardangervidda and highest in Telemark, a distinct profile. About 1/6th of Norway can be seen on clear days. 30-40 000 hike to the summit every year, taking roughly 2 hours from Stavsro, where you can park the car. You can also take the Gaustabanen Cable Car inside the mountain.

Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum - Norsk Industriarbeidermuseum | Vemork 59.87203, 8.49457 Situated 7 kilometers west of town center. ☎ +47 35099000 Opening Hours: 1 May-14 Jun: Daily 10AM Monday - 4PM, 15 jun-14 Aug: Daily 10AM Monday - 6PM,15 August - 30 September Daily 10AM Monday - 4PM, 1 October - 30 Apr: Tue-Fri: Noon-3PM, Saturday to Sun: 11AM Monday - 4PM, Mind: Closed 17 May, 24-26 Dec, 31 December - 1 Jan Adults: kr 80, Students: kr 70, Seniors: kr 70, Children: kr 50, Grouprabates from 15 persons minus kr 5 each person Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum Situated on the very grounds of the Heavy Water Sabotage during World War II, Vemork is having several exhibitions about the local history of the indistrial worker as well as war exhitbitions.

Tinn Museum | Situated 5 kilometers east of Rjukan town center. ☎ +47 35099000 Has a vast collection of old houses, and old things. Showing how life was in the rural parts of Tinn and in old times, before the town Rjukan was established.

Ammonia, Mæl - Steam ferry Ammonia in Mæl station

Rjukan railway - Rjukanbanen | Mæl 59.929606, 8.811716 14 kilometers NE of Rjukan along rd. 37, at the shore of Tinn lake Opening Hours: June 15 - Aug 15 10:00 - 18:00 Adults: kr 50, Children (8+): kr 25 Rjukan Line - The 16 kilometers long railway was operational between 1927 and 1991. In Mæl cargo (consisting mainly of chemicals produced in Hydro's fertilizer plant) was loaded onto ferries for transport across the lake to Tinnoset. In 1944 a steam ferry Hydro was sunk on the way from Mæl (as a part of Norwegian heavy water sabotage) with a cargo of heavy water for Nazi nuclear weapon project.

Things to Do

P1000746Rjukan - Rjukan village in the deep valley Gausta (1883m) and the highest mountain in southern Norway. - Iconic Mt Gausta in Winter

Gaustabanen Cable Car | Gaustaområdet Situated 15 kilometers east of the town. - A small train takes you 1 kilometer into the mountain, before you go on the cable vehicle which takes you almost 1 kilometer up towards the top of the summit Gaustatoppen, Southern Norways highest summit, from which you can see 1/6th of Norway on clear days. Former military use, which was open to public in 2011.

Gaustablikk Skisenter | ☎ +47 35081422 Norways 6th biggest skiing resort.

Rjukan Rockfestival | @rockfestival.no - ☎ +47 99224485 Two day rock festival second weekend in June. Established in 2000.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Rjukan

Heavy Water You might buy an ampul of real heavy water at the Industrial Workers Museum or at VisitRjukans tourist office in town center. Heavy water is 10% heavier than normal water.
Tinn knife The Tinn community is traditionally famous for they blacksmiths, and a Tinn knife is attractive among collectors.
Goat cheese You might buy great high quality Cheese made the traditional style in the mountain.
Rakfish Trout that is fermented for several months. A traditional speciality.
Potato lefse Before christmas you might buy this delicate traditional potato lefse, which is a must at christmastime.

Halal Restaurants in Rjukan

Gvepseborg Panorama Café - Restaurant and café

Dong Fang Kinarestaurant - Chinese cuisine in town center.

Park Hotel Restaurant - Norwegian cuisine in town center.

Rjukan Hytteby Kro - Norwegian cuisine in town center.
Muslim Friendly Hotels

Telecommunications in Rjukan

Rjukan Tourist Office - @Rjukan.com Torget 2 ☎ +47 35082560 Public tourist office with good opening hours all year.

Rjukan Bibliotek - Rjukan Public Library | Torget 1 ☎ +47 35082560 Wireless internet for laptops, and also computers with internet access available.

News & References

Travel Next

Kongsberg, silver mining town, half way to Oslo.
Heddal, Norways biggest wooden stave church, towards blues town Notodden half way to Oslo.
Tuddal, great historical hotel.
Skinnarbu, great for hikingtrips and fishing.
Rauland, drive towards west great mountain activities.

@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 * Park Hotel Restaurant - Norwegian cuisine in town center.
-* Rjukan Hytteby Kro - Norwegian cuisine in town center.
+* Rjukan Hytteby Kro - Norwegian cuisine in town center.<h2 class=subheader>Muslim Friendly Hotels</h2>
-<h2 class=subheader>eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>
-{{FULLPAGENAME}} - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to {{FULLPAGENAME}}, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for {{FULLPAGENAME}}. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in {{FULLPAGENAME}} and its surrounding regions.
-With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to {{FULLPAGENAME}}. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.
-The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to {{FULLPAGENAME}}. Key components include:
-Halal-Friendly Accommodations in{{FULLPAGENAME}}: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in {{FULLPAGENAME}}.
-'''Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in {{FULLPAGENAME}}:''' A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in {{FULLPAGENAME}}.
-'''Prayer Facilities:''' Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.
-'''Local Attractions:''' An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.
-'''Transport and Logistics:''' Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within {{FULLPAGENAME}} and beyond.
-Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of {{FULLPAGENAME}} without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."
-The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for {{FULLPAGENAME}} is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring {{FULLPAGENAME}}.
-'''About eHalal Travel Group:'''
-eHalal Travel Group {{FULLPAGENAME}} is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.
-For Halal business inquiries in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, please contact:
-'''eHalal Travel Group {{FULLPAGENAME}}''' Media: info@ehalal.io
-<h2 class=subheader>Muslim Friendly Hotels</h2>
 <h2 class=subheader>Telecommunications in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>