Discover Telemark’s rich cultural heritage – from Henrik Ibsen’s childhood home in Skien to museums, historic sites and cultural venues across the region. Explore the stories that have helped shape Norway through literature, industrial heritage, art and a vibrant cultural scene today.
Get inspired by Telemark’s culture
Explore articles about history, museums and cultural experiences that offer a deeper insight into Telemark and its heritage.
Historic sites and World Heritage
Discover places that have shaped history – from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rjukan–Notodden to cultural landmarks and historic sites across Telemark.
Gaustabanen
Gaustabanen is a funicular railway, inside Gaustatoppen. This is a very unique touristattraction. No similiar railway is to be found in North-Europe!
Langefonn, 3660 Rjukan
Hike in the Footsteps of the Saboteurs
Would you like to literally follow in the footsteps of Norwegian military history? This autumn, NIA is partnering with local guides to offer exciting tours to Vemork along the old "saboteur route" over the mountains!
Parking lot at Rjukan Mountain Lodge, marked "Sabotørstien."
The geological history of Bamble, Kongshavn
Bamble's Landscape - Exciting Geology Through Millions of Years
Kongshavn, 3970 Langesund
Øvrebøtjern, Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark
Øvrebøtjern, Siljan: Popular swimming lake featuring 300-million-year-old geology and rich timber floating history. Discover Telemark's nature!
3748 Siljan
Hakastein cultural monuments site
Explore Hakastein Cultural Heritage Park in Skien. See remains of Norway's oldest church and Christian graves from the Viking Age.
Ulefossveien, 3710 Skien
Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark Steinvika
The rocks in Steinvika were created in the earth's antiquity, for approx. 461-451 million years ago, in the latter part of the period called the Ordovician.
3970 Langesund
Gorningen, Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark
Gorningen, Siljan (Geopark): Explore 10,000 years of history, from early settlement to timber floating. Central to the Gea Norvegica UNESCO Geopark.
3748 Siljan
Childrens Gea Norvegica Geopark
The geopark sites in Bamble municipality are perfect for a nice swim in the summer months, but they have more activities to offer, also for children.
3970 Langesund
Whetstones from Eidsborg
For about 1000 years Tokke has had an export industry of whetstones. For Norwegian Vikings whetstone from Eidsborg was an effective weapon for throwing as the historic sagas tell us.
Eidsborg, Museumsvegen 9, 3891 Høydalsmo
Heavy Water War - The story
During the WWII Vemork in Rjukan was in focus for their production of heavy water. The heavy water war stopped the Germans in developing the atom bomb.
Torget 2, 3660 Rjukan
The mound of Silju
Explore in – one of Northern Europe’s largest Iron Age burial mounds and a symbol of power.
3749 Siljan
Bygdeborgen "Børja" ved Gorningen
Børja Hill Fort, Siljan: Explore a historic fortress by Lake Gorningen, possibly 2,000 years old. Easily accessible trail from Damstua.
3748 Siljan
Rock carvings
Discover the Bronze Age in Skien. Visit unique rock carvings at Fossum, Løberg, and Bergheim, with 2800-year-old symbols of ships and sun signs.
3732 Skien
Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark, Siljan
Discover Siljan — shaped by ice ages and volcanoes, with Larvikite, Syenite, and stunning glacial landscapes.
3748 Siljan
Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark - Kapitelberget
Kapitelberget Skien: Medieval crypt church built on a 430M-year-old coral reef. A protected site with unique Silurian fossils.
Kapitelberget, 3714 Skien
Bike trip in the World Heritage site
Experience UNESCO World Heritage in Notodden by bicycle. Explore industrial history, museums, cultural houses, and picturesque paths along Heddalsvannet.
Storgata 1, Bok & Blueshuset, 3674 Notodden
Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark - The Glaser Mine
Glasergruva Mine (1543): Norway's oldest datable iron mine in Skien. Discover the history behind Fossum Ironworks & this protected monument.
3721 Skien
Explore all cultural experiences in Telemark
Heddal Stave Church
Visit Heddal Stave Church in Notodden, Norway’s largest 13th-century stave church. Enjoy guided tours, exhibitions, and charming Café Olea.
Heddalsvegen 412, 3676 Notodden
Hardangervidda National Park Visitor Centre
Hardangervidda National Park Visitor Centre is a government-authorized visitor centre offering interpretation and nature guidance all year round. Hardangervidda is Northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau and Norway’s largest national park on the mainland.
Møsvannsveien 1149, Rjukan
Z Museum in Treungen
Experience a unique collection of art, culture, and history in the heart of Nissedal. Z Museum takes you on a journey through time and expression, from rare historical artifacts to modern masterpieces. Visit us and find your inspiration! Every 1,000th visitor receives free admission and a bottle of wine.
Sundsmoen 27, 3855 Tveitsund
In the Footsteps of Ibsen in Skien
Join an exciting walking tour through Henrik Ibsen’s childhood city, Skien, and learn more about the world-renowned playwright’s early years.
Øvregate 32a, 3715 Skien
Admission Ticket – Norwegian Ski Adventure, Morgedal
Visit Norwegian Ski Adventure (Norsk Skieventyr) and immerse yourself in Norway’s rich skiing history, spanning from ancient Sami ski culture through fearless polar explorers and ski pioneers, to modern winter sports as we know them today. Norway, Telemark, and Morgedal hold a unique and important place in international ski history. Welcome to a day full of discovery and adventure.
Morgedalvegen 159, 3848 Morgedal
Entrance Ticket – Vest-Telemark Museum with Eidsborg Stave Church
Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg is the perfect starting point for exploring the region’s rich cultural heritage. The site includes a modern museum building with engaging exhibitions, the Eidsborg Stave Church, and an open-air museum with more than 30 historic buildings – among them Stålekleivloftet from 1184, one of the world’s oldest preserved secular wooden buildings.
Museumsvegen 9, 3891 Høydalsmo
Entrance to Telemark Kunstmuseum
Entrance ticket to the Telemark Art Museum & World Heritage Centre at Tinfos, Notodden.
O. H. Holtas gate 27, 3678 Notodden
Entrance to The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum - Vemork
This listing provides you with ticket options for the Norwegian Industrial Worker's Museum at Vemork, 5.5 kilometers west of the city of Rjukan.
Norsk Industriarbeidermuseum Vemork, 3660 Rjukan
One-Day Ticket: Brekkeparken – Telemark Museum
Visit Brekkeparken in Skien – join guided tours and explore exhibitions at the museum. The exhibition “Alt dette er ditt” (All This Is Yours) showcases objects from across Telemark, from rose-painted bowls to a 1960s slot machine. These are your stories – and those of your children and grandchildren. Welcome to a day filled with discoveries!
Telemark museum, Øvregate 32a, 3715 Skien
DuVerden Maritime Museum & Science Centre – Porsgrunn
Explore real science, technology and maritime history at DuVerden in Porsgrunn. With interactive exhibits on climate, energy, logistics, safety and shipping heritage, it offers hands-on learning for kids and families.
Tollbugata 23, 3933 Porsgrunn
One-Day Ticket to the Porcelain Museum - Telemark Museum
Discover over 135 years of porcelain history in Porsgrunn. Visit the exhibition next to Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik and see how the classic blue-and-white pattern is still hand-painted. Learn about industrial heritage, Norwegian design, and craftsmanship.
Porselensvegen 6b, 3920 Porsgrunn
Notodden Blues Festival
The Notodden Blues Festival is Norway's largest blues festival, known as "Europe's best blues experience." It takes place on the first weekend of August.
Storgata 1, 3676 Notodden
Tuddal Bygdetun
Tuddal bygdetun is an open-air museum located in Hjartdal municipality. Here you can step back in time and see how people lived on a typical Tuddal farm.
Tuddalvegen 2111, 3697 Tuddal
Stålekleivloftet - one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world
Is the storehouse of the legendary woman Åse Stålekleiv the oldest profane wooden building in the world?
The traditional storehouse situated here at Vindlaus, is a part of the Museum of Vest-Telemark in Eidsborg. It is, however, not like any other traditional storehouse. It has a unique story behind it which goes far back in time.
Museumsvegen 9, 3891 Høydalsmo
Søndre Brekke Estate, Telemark Museum
Visit Søndre Brekke Estate in Skien! Experience Niels Aall's Empire manor, the "Grey Lady" ghost myth, 14 historic buildings, and tulips.
Øvregate 32a, 3715 Skien
The Telemark Canal
The Telemark Canal with its beautiful locks starts in Skien and ends in Dalen. Join various day trips or boat trips with accommodation.
Hjellebrygge, 3706 Skien
TREE
Discover the 10.5m TRE steel sculpture by Erik Pirolt in Notodden! A striking monument celebrating industrial heritage by Lake Heddalsvannet.
3674 Notodden
A Cultural-Historical Walk Through the Centuries in Telemark
Join the farm’s owner on a two-hour walk through 800 years of history—from Årestua in the 13th century to the beginnings of Norwegian tourism, the National Romantic movement, and the people who have lived and traveled here.
