Experiencing local culture

THE TELEMARK CANAL (Norsjø-Bandak Canal) The Telemark Canal was completed in 1892 and has 18 locks, lifting the travlers from 0 to 72 meters above sea level on the 105 km long stretch between Skien and Dalen. "MS Victoria" and "MS Henrik Ibsen" sail between Dalen and Skien from May to September. www.visitelemark.com www.telemarkskanalen.no

EIDSBORG CHURCH Let the guide take you on a journey through 800 years. Listen to the history of the Stave church and how Eidsborg church has changed from the 1200’s to today. You can also hear about Saint Nicolas “Nikuls” from Eidsborg. Tel:+47 35 06 90 90 / Fax:+47 35 06 90 91 E-mail: post@vtm.no www.vest-telemark.museum.no

GRIMDALSTUNET Grimdalen was the home of the sculptress Anne Grimdalen – famous for her decoration for the town hall in Oslo. Today Grimdalen is a protected group of buildings dated from the middle ages and a Sculpture exhibition with works by Anne Grimdalen. Each year the exhibition is supplemented with pictures by well-known artists. Tel:+47 35 07 77 97 /+47 35 07 56 56 E-mail: post@grimdalstunet.no www.grimdalstunet.no

VEST-TELEMARK MUSEUM EIDSBORG The old garden at Vindlaus has been developed into a fascinating open-air museum with a variety of exhibits. The museum is situated in magnificent landscape and specialises in the rich traditions of folk-art, handwork, and decorated silver, woodcarving and textiles through the ages. New museumsbuilding open from june 1'st 2012 Tel:+47 35 06 90 90 / Fax:+47 35 06 90 91 E-mail: post@vtm.no www.vest-telemark.museum.no

DALEN HOTEL The building of the Telemark Canal laid the foundation for the building of what many believe to be one of the stateliest hotels in Norway. Dalen Hotel from 1894 is built in the special Norwegian variation of wooden architecture – “Dragon style”. With dragonheads, towers and spires it reminds us of a fairytale palace. In 1994 a comprehensive restoration of the hotel was carried out. The hotel now looks the way it did in the days of king Oscar, but still has all the service and comfort we demand today. A conference and meeting place for those who look for something special. Tel: +47 35 07 90 00/Fax: +47 35 07 70 11 E-mail: post@dalenhotel.no www.dalenhotel.no

ÅMDALS VERK MINES The mining museum is built up around the history of copper mining (1540 – 1945). Exhibition of photographs, pictures, models and geology. A large area with marked footpaths and a mining park. Café and sale of souvenirs. Tel:+47 35 06 90 90 /+47 35 07 79 30 E-mail: post@vest-telemark.museum.no www.vest-telemark.museum.no

RUI-PLASSEN In the steep mountainsides over Dalen lies Rui. An agricultural workers cottage where the two Rui sisters, Ingerine and Gurine lived. The Rui sisters became famous in Norway when they were invited to meet the king in Oslo. The book written about the two sisters by Knut Eidem is for sale at the tourist office. There is a footpath from the centre of Dalen to Rui. It is very steep, but not too long! Contact the touristinformation.

WHETSTONES FROM EIDSBORG For 1000 yrs Tokke has had an export industry. For Norwegian Vikings were whetstones from Eidsborg an effective weapon for throwing as the historic sagas tell us. Later the stones were used for peaceful purposes. They were carried in rowboats down the Telemark canal, or carried on horseback on the ice to the coast and shipped abroad where they were sold at a good price. In this way the quarry at Eidsborg has supplied the timber industry and hand workers at home and abroad with good whetstones.

KNIFE AND SILVERSMITHS The smithy’s craftwork has long traditions in Tokke. At Vinjerui in Dalen you can visit the silversmith’s workshop. www.vinjerui.no At the Omdal farm just before Ravnejuv can you find Telemark Silver Industry. Here you will be met by Ingrid who will show you around her workshop. You can also buy silver jewellery designed by Ingrid. Tel: +47 35 07 82 22. The Kollbotn knife workshop can be visited by appointment.

LISTEN TO FOLKMUSIC Tokke lies in the centre of west telemark which itself lies at the heart of folk music tradition. Here you can still hear folksongs from the 1800’s. We are very proud of our folk music and our young musicians who carry the traditions further. Folk music and dancing can be seen at many of the cultural arrangements around the district.

TOKKE GENERATING STATIONS At the time of the hydro-electric generating scheme on the Tokke – Vinje waterway system, it was the biggest in Norway. The development resulted in eight electricity-generating stations between Songa in Vinje and Hogga in Nome. The stations were built between 1958 and 1987 and three of them are in Tokke: Byrte, Lio and Tokke. The combined years production is 4.5 TWh. The production of electricity at the hydro – electric scheme led to the modernisation of the farming communities in upper telemark.

SKAFSÅ GENERATING STATION The first large-scale hydro-electric scheme in Vest-Telemark began in 1948. The Skafså project was a collaboration between the councils in west telemark and Norsk Hydro and it was principally to supply electricity to the magnesium foundry at Herøy on the coast. This was a new beginning for one of the least urbanised area of Telemark.

CHURCHES IN TOKKE


*Lårdal church* Built in 1831 and decorated by Samuel Tveit in 1895. The vicarage is said to be one of the finest in the land.	*Mo church* Sanctified in 1839. The alterpiece is from the earlier stave church, and restored by Henrik Harald Kihle. Memorial stone over Torbjørg Ripilen – a folksinger who sang the epic song “Draumkvedet” for folklorist Moltke Moe.	*Eidsborg church* A meeting point at the entrance to Vest Telemark Museum. Eidsborg stave church from the 1200’s is dedicated to saint Nicolas or “Nikuls” as he is known in Telemark. Memorial stone over the parliamentarian Talleiv Huvestad.	*Skafså church* Built in 1831. In the porch is a rune stone and outside the church you will see a pillory and stocks from the old days. Memorial stone over Petter Mandt, Talleiv Huvestad and Vetle Vislie.	*Høydalsmo church* Built in 1747 this is one of the smallest churches in Norway. The stave church, which stood here, was demolished in 1785.