Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kongsberg
Sights
1
Kongsberg Kirke
B3
2
Lågdal Folk Museum
D3
Royal Mint
B3
4
Waterfall C3
Sleeping
5
Gyldenløve Hotell
B1
7
Quality Hotel Grand
B2
Eating
8
Fuji Sushi
B4
Drinking & Nightlife
History
The history of Kongsberg begins and ends with silver, which was discovered by two chil-
dren with an ox in 1623 in the nearby Numedal Valley. Their father attempted to sell the
windfall, but the king's soldiers got wind of it and the family was arrested and forced to
disclose the site of their discovery. Kongsberg was founded a year later and in the resulting
silver rush it briefly became the second-largest town in Norway, with 8000 inhabitants in-
cluding 4000 miners. Between 1623 and 1957, 1.35 million kg of pure threadlike 'wire' sil-
ver (one of the world's purest forms of silver) was produced for the royal coffers. Kongs-
berg is still home to the national mint, but the last mine closed in 1957.
