The Rjukan Waterfall provided the basis for building the world's largest power station of the time at Vemork in 1911. The power station is now a museum where you can learn about the fantastic adventure of its founding and see exhibitions on industrial development in Norway and especially in Rjukan.
The museum is perhaps best known for its presentation of Rjukan's exciting war history. Vemork was at the centre of one of the most important acts of sabotage committed during the Second World War, when Norwegian saboteurs prevented the Germans from developing a nuclear bomb from the heavy water that was produced there.
The exhibition "Atomkappløpet" (the nuclear race) gives an exciting and extremely informative presentation of the four heavy water sabotage operations and the Allies' efforts to build a nuclear bomb. You can watch a documentary called "If Hitler had the bomb" in the cinema, which is about the acts of sabotage committed during the quest to destroy the heavy water plant.
The Vemork art gallery 2008;
Reidar Aulie graduated at Kunstindustriskolen (school of art) and Kunstakademiet (Art academy) around 1920. He was also a student of Christian Krogh and Axel Revold. His political views were based on humanistic and pacifistic ideals, which had great influence on his artistic development. Around 1930, Reidar Aulie, was looked upon as one of Norway’s front painters of tendency. Norsk Industriarbeidermuseum (The industrial workers museum –Vemork) presents a variety of Aulies work; paintings, drawings and lithographs. 1st of May to the 31st of December.
Before the “Heroes of Telemark” went into action, they lived in a small cabin on the Hardangervidda plateau, awaiting their orders from England. It was a difficult few time for them, but on the 23rd of December 1942 they got a rare surprise. Find out what it was here.
Tel: +47 35 09 90 00
Fax: +47 35 09 90 01
E-mail: post@nia.vemork.no
Web: www.visitvemork.com