Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
from the central square, Bragernes Torg, in Drammen. Buses depart at 10:15am,
noon, and 2:30pm. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 18NOK ($2.55).
The area around the tunnel entrance is the starting point for several foot-
paths. The major footpath, the
Spiraltoppen Trail,
a nature trail, takes off from
here and winds along for 2km (1.25 miles). In winter Spiraltoppen is the launch
pad for dozens of
cross-country
and
downhill-skiing trails,
the same trails
once followed by the Vikings. There are 100km (62 miles) of cross-country trails
outside the city, including 45km (28 miles) of well-maintained tracks lit at
night.
Bragernes Torg,
the central market square of Drammen, is the center of local
life in Drammen. The square is the largest in Scandinavia and is lined with many
antique buildings from 1866 and beyond, including the old
Stock Exchange.
As a sign of the times, there is now a McDonald's on the ground floor of the old
exchange (Rådhus, Engenes 1). Also standing on the main square are other his-
toric buildings, including the old town hall, the former jail, and the courthouse,
all of whose exteriors can be seen by walking around the square. The old fire sta-
tion on the square is now a bank.
In summer you can listen to outdoor concerts here and watch other forms of
street entertainment, while sitting and enjoying the sun by St. Hallvard's Foun-
tain, honoring a local saint. A market, selling flowers, plants, and produce har-
vested in the nearby countryside, also takes place on the square in the summer.
The most interesting building on the square is
Bragernes Church,
Kirkegata
(
&
32-83-27-53
), erected in 1871 in the Gothic Revival style. Its well-known
altarpiece, the
Resurrection
by Adolph Tidemand, has been copied in some 70
churches all over the country. Admission is free; it's open daily noon to 3pm.
There's an organ concert presented every Saturday from 1 to 2pm.
The five-part
Drammens Museum
(
&
32-83-89-48
) is the chief cultural
highlight of the city. It's centered at Pokohnerudngar 7 and is open Tuesday to
Sunday from 11am to 3pm. For 35NOK ($4.95) for adults and 20NOK
($2.85) for children, you are admitted to all the attractions.
At the
main headquarters
at the address above, the museum's art collection
is displayed—a rich exhibition of Norwegian paintings from 1800 to the pres-
ent day. Its best-known painting is
Champagne Girl
by Hans Heyerdahl. The
satellite branches of the museum include a manor house at
Marienlyst,
Kon-
nerudgata 7, dating from 1770. This patrician villa is filled with exhibitions.
Austad Manor,
Styrmoesvei 33, is another majestic building with Renaissance
paintings and a rich 19th-century interior. An
open-air museum,
displaying 3
centuries of building traditions from the Buskerud district, lies only 300m (984
ft.) from Spiraltoppen (see above). More than 25 antique buildings have been
moved to this site. Yet another manor house,
Gulskogen,
Nedre Eikervei 72,
contains many beautiful rooms. This patrician residence, dating from 1804, is
also surrounded by a park.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
The “River City” is one of the best open-air cities of Norway and has won prizes
for its array of outdoor pursuits, which range from fjord boating to hiking in the
nearby hills and forests. The tourist office distributes maps outlining local hikes
and nature trails.
For a day cruise, we recommend taking the MS
Dramman
(
&
32-83-50-45
)
along Oslofjord and the river. The vessel holds up to 70 passengers. Boat trips
take place from April to October, costing 2,300NOK ($327) per person.
