Kongsgruvene
The raison d'être of the city of Kongsberg are the abundant silver veins that once found here. In summer, there are daily excursions to the largest mine – Kongsgruvene. What's more, special trips to the mine are also organized, from easy to slightly risky. Contact the Norsk Bergwerksmuseum for all information (32723200, fax 32723210).
The most popular mine excursion begins with the Kongsgruvene signposted, located around 700 m od Saggrenda (8 km from Kongsberg). The beginning of the route is counting 2,3 km descent of the table, that is, a tunnel bored for it, to pump water out of the mine. The tunnel was bored without heavy equipment and dynamite. The rock was first heated by fire, then water was poured over it and thus crushed through 73 patch (1782-1855), going by Fr. 7 cm per day, to finally reach length 7 km.
Inside the mine, tourists can view some of the equipment used in silver mining, among other things, very ingenious, creaky and creaking elevator, which replaced the 300-meter climb over 65 wet and slippery ladders. Tours run daily in the 7th and early 8th centuries 11.00, 12.30, 14.00 i 15.30. From mid-May to the end of June and at the end of August, there is no tour of Fr. 15.30. On IX, tours are only on Sundays, Fr. 14.00 (55 nkr per person). Remember to bring a warm coat, because it's quite cool underground.
Another option is a two-hour walk through the Christian VII Mine (it was active in the years 1843-1865), ending in a narrowing "northern aisle."”. This tour also begins and ends with a 2.3km cable car ride. It has been organized since 1 VII do 17 VIII on Mondays and Thursdays, Fr. 17.00 (150 nkr). For those who prefer to stay afloat, the route is prepared, which the miners went to work, departing from Kongsberg, Fr. 4.00, to start the 15-hour working day. On the way, you pass water intakes, which was used to move underground machinery, and all sorts of abandoned equipment, to finally reach the Sachsen mine (Saxony). This summer trip (45 nkr) it usually only takes place once, in the first weeks of July, but for a group of tourists it can be arranged at any time.
The expedition “with torches and a rope is the most exciting”, starting with a kilometer walk through the Prince Fredrik mine. Then follows a 112-meter long descent down a rope by the light of a torch to the bottom of the mine (after completing the rapid zipline course), where you can see the historic equipment and chambers created after the mining of the ore. Such a trip costs money (along with the descent course) 800 nkr and takes place only three times a summer. For more information, please contact the Kongsberg Tourist Information Office.
Before or after your trip to the mine, visit Sakkerhusene (from the German zechenhause – miners' houses) – three buildings erected in the 1867-1874, which served as offices, flat for workers, baths and a place to spend free time. They now house a small museum, cafe and souvenir shop, where you can buy rocks and fashionable leather goods.
On weekends, a full hour bus departs from Kongsberg to Sølverket (10 min, 20 nkr), where to get off, to get to Kongsgruvene and the rest of the mines. On weekdays, take the Oslo-Notodden TIMExpress bus to Saggrenda (10 min, 20 nkr) and from there on foot the rest of the way (15 min).