The museum is located in Tyssedal, in Odda municipality in the midst of the beautiful Hardanger region. The nature is stunning, both in summer and in winter. One gets an impression of the forces of nature and of man's efforts to harness them.
Tyssedal is squeezed in between the mountaintops Tveitanuten and Oksla. Photo: Harald Hognerud Kraftmuseet
The power station Tysso I is the museum's pride. It is one of the few larger power station in the world that has been protected for posterity. The power plant was built in several stages. The first stage was completed in 1908, less than two years after the planning began. By hand, using hammer, drill and dynamite, the workers carved a 3460 metres long tunnel, built the first two penstocks, the power station, and the first dam. The work was rushed in order to make the plant able to supply the world's largest carbide factory that was being built simultaneously in Odda with electricity. The work was difficult in the harsh surroundings. The first two 730 metre long penstocks were built in the winter of 1907, so that in addition to the steep mountain, the workers had to contend with bitter cold, snow and ice as they built the huge heavy iron penstocks. In the following years, the power station was extended, three more penstocks were built, and the impressive Ringedal dam, made out of hand carved granite, was completed. During this time, another two factories were built in the Odda region.
Film: Arvid Aga
The power station and several of the other buildings were designed by Norway's foremost architects. Today the buildings stand as monuments and a tribute to the work, architecture and optimism of bygone days. In the year 2000 the entire plant was declared protected by the Director General of Historic Monuments. Since then the power station has been renovated and returned to its former glory.
Most of our guests begin their visit by watching one of our multimedia shows. They give a vivid encounter with history. The Industrial Adventure has become a classic which provides a background to a guided tour of the power station.
Utsnitt av ind.eventyret eng. from NVIM on Vimeo.
