A stunning scenery sourrounds the imposing cathedrale-like hydropower station by the fjord. Photo: Dag Endre Opedal Kraftmuseet
Let's go 100 years back in time, to when Odda and Tyssedal were small rural villages with a total of 1400 inhabitants. Tyssedal's population consisted of two farms - one on each side of the river Tysso - where some 30 persons were living.
Tourism was an important industry in this scarce populated area. There were as many as eleven hotels in Odda, six of them in the town centre. The magnificent scenery and Odda’s central location on the route between western and eastern parts of Norway were the main reasons for tourists to come to these parts of the country. British art painters had already traveled through the wildernis of the norwegian fjords and mountains for some decades, and enthusiastic had written about and painted the untouched nature and its people.
The english art painter Sydney Hart was one of the early tourists coming to Odda and Tyssedal. Photo: Kraftmuseet archives
Tyssedal soon changed from not only having the most spectacular scenery, to also becoming one of the crucial places in the country when it came to taming the forces of nature. Tyssedal is equivalent to the story of 20th century Norway, and it's transformation into an industrial nation. Tyssedal is the story of technology, of industrial pioneers, of architecture, of craftsmanship. But it is also the story of hardship, destiny, friendship, love, grief and sorrow, but most of all that of hope for a better future.
The museum
The impressive Tyssedal power station is the jewel in the crown of the hydropower museum Kraftmuseet, and offers a variety of guided tours and films showing the exciting history of hydropower and industry from the beginning of the last century up untill today. It is the history of waterfalls changing Norway into a prosperous country.
Our multimedia shows come highly recommended. They show how the pioneers, the engineers, the capitalists, the industrialists, the workers, the women and children build this industrial society in a small time scale.
In summer the museum is a bustle of activities. You are welcome to enjoy the exhibitions and the museum shop as well as a delicious cup of coffee and the typical norwegian waffels in the museum café.
The delicious Norwegian waffel with locally produced marmelade. Photo: Anne Gravdal Kraftmuseet
The Power Cathedrale in the autumn. Photo: Harald Hognerud Kraftmuseet
The museum offers a varied cultural program throughout the year and a number of guided tours available for groups. Many of our locations can be rented. For more information or to book a visit, please contact: post@kraftmuseet.no
You can also do the small hike to the museum site in Lilletopp, where crucial installations up in the mountainside high above the fjord are located. A 30-40 minutes easy, but steep hike takes you to the beginning of the penstock. A total of twelve buildings are to be found in Lilletopp, consisting of guards house, smithy, intake building, transformator, valve house etc.
This area can only be reached by foot. Please remember good shoes!
During the summer season we open up the facilities in Lilletopp and twice a day we offer a guided tour through the old watertunnel and distribution pool. In the former guards house you will find a small cafe.
This tour can also be booked in advance for larger groups.
On the top of mount Oksla - some five minutes further up the mountain - you can enjoy the magnificent view over the Sørfjord in direction Odda to the south and the Hardangerfjord to the north.
Please contact us for more information.
Stunning view from mount Oksla. Photo: Harald Hognerud Kraftmuseet
We also recommend a visit to our science center KraftLaben in Odda centre, where adults and children can experiment with technology, kitchen chemistry and water. Open during the norwegian summer holidays.
Children learning science playfully. Photo: Signe Bondhus-Jensen Kraftmuseet
The old workers houses in the centre of Odda take us back in time and show us how people in Odda lived centuries ago. The four apartments have been remodeled to the way they would have appeared in the centuries 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1950. You are also welcome to relax in the beautiful garden.
Contact us for a guided tour.
Workers houses and garden. Photo: Harald Hognerud Kraftmuseet
WELCOME TO KRAFTMUSEET!
