a visit to Skien

Skien, a nearby city, has a rich history as a center for seafaring, timber exports, and early industrialization. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, it was one of Norway's largest cities and had a significant international presence.

We often drive to Skien to visit friends or do some special shopping. we sometimes pass through the city which is the capital of Telemark County but it's been a while since our last visit to the center.

Although many things have changed, local authorities have worked to preserve the town's heritage and history. During our recent visit to see a friend, we took a small tour around the center and spent some time exploring.

The distance from our place is about 40 kilometers, and it takes 30 to 40 minutes by car. As one of Norway's oldest cities, Skien has an urban history dating back to the Middle Ages and received its market town privileges in 1358.

It was a good decision to take advantage of the sunny weather and explore some of the attractions. We began our walk in Laugstolparken, which is located just behind the parking lot across from a restaurant and café overlooking the water.

But instead of turning left, we walk straight to Hjellen, the docks for the Telemark canal tour boats.

the morning boat had left so the station was closed, but you can buy a ticket here if there is a vacancy on the boat. the canal tour is a very popular, interesting and scenic adventure and a relaxing one at that.

a view toward the lock connecting the sea to the fresh water canal, Telemarkskanalen, which here is actually a natural river upstream, there are several man-made sections connecting various lakes and rivers, allowing for transport from the sea to far inland

After spending a little time and getting all the info about the boat's schedule, we turned back to go other side of the river. Walking through the Laugstolpark.

In the park, there is a decorative installation made of two large gears from an old industry, Laugstol Bruk.
In the background, we can see the two gears. long before there was electricity, there were many woodworking mills lined up along the river to avail of the flowing water to turn the gears. Back then, the river extended much further inland than it does now.

A bust of the owner of Laugstol bruk.

In 1885, Laugstol Bruk became the first hydroelectric plant in Norway to supply electricity to residential buildings. Laugstol Bruk AS, founded in 1873, was a woodworking mill situated near the Skien lock, approximately where the Arkaden shopping mall stands today.

As we walked through the garden, we saw a bronze sculpture by Skule Waksvik, titled “Hanne på stranden.” The piece was purchased by local companies and is located in the park near the water.

Danger! this is the intake to the hydroelectric power plant

After a few meters' walk, we can see this plant, the Skagerak Energy building. there is a path for crossing the river under the bridge.

Since much of the river is diverted into the power plant, a salmon ladder for the salmon to get from the sea back to the freshwater river they were hatched to spawn. in July, it should be possible to see the salmon jumping up the steps of the ladder right there in the center of the city

Lakstrappa The salmon ladder-. The salmon ladder at Mølla is made as an artificial waterfall, where salmon and other anadromous fish swim up the steps of the falls to return to the river and reproduce It is 40 m long and has 15 pools.

These stairs are parallel to Laksetrappa.

When standing on the stairs, we can see this large mural of the flour mill, which delivers its products all over Norway.

On the other side of the lake, Hjellvannet, we can see the Langbrygga, an open park and activity center for children and a public meeting place. We noticed some activities there and started walking in that direction.

The sitting benches are nicely fitted on the wooden plank. and maintained nicely.

A statue of a girl lying down is situated on one side of the grass,
I didn't find much information about this statue, but notice how precisely it depicts the young girl looking after a little frog.

Typical telmark architecture. The Thon Hotel and the old city, called gamle Skien.

The grounds in front of City Hall were being transformed so we couldn\t get a proper photo of the iconic building

The playground for children at Langbrygga gjestehavn. It was Saturday the children were enjoying the sunny day.

When we got closer, we discovered it was a special day for celebrating children's school marching bands on the national level and the school bands from different areas were performing various places around the city.

Skaggerak Energy building from Langbrygga

While crossing the park, those buildings looked nice on the hill.

another band was approaching the park where they would soon perform.

This is the pedestrian street, Gågaten.

Typical Norwegian shops

As we approached Arkaden (the Arcade shopping mall) front platform was filled with colorful, uniformed children from various places and different school bands.

We headed towards Skien church. where some exterior repairs were underway. In front of the church, the park is known as Ibsen Park

Cars are not allowed in this area

I turned around to see the view of Hjellvannet.

another pedestrian/cycling road.

The sculpture made by Svein Kleppan depicts characters from two of Henrik Ibsen's plays, VILDANDEN: the girl with the duck, and LILLE EYOLF: the boy with the dog.

Skien city is known as the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen, a renowned Norwegian playwright, poet, and actor. Ibsen is considered the world's pre-eminent dramatist of the 19th century and is often called "the father of modern drama." He is one of the most important playwrights in the history of world literature.
A prominent statue of him is located exactly in front of the church in Ibsen Park.

In the next post, we will see details of the church and the Skien canal locks.

Thank you, see you soon

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