Kongsberg Turistservice AS - The Norwegian mining museum

The Norwegian mining museum

Four different museums are located under the same roof in the centre of Kongsberg. One ticket gives entrance to all four museums and a guided tour. Guided tours last for about 30-45 minutes, the rest of the time you are free to stroll around. The museums are easy to get around in for disabled people.

The Norwegian Mining Museum (Norsk Bergverksmuseum) is a national museum with particular responsibilities for the administration, preservation and restoration of the national cultural monument that is the Kongsberg Silver Mines.

The Museum offers guided tours of all departments as well as of Kongsberg Church, the Old Town and the mining landscape. We also organize safaris of certain parts of the mining area.

Meals can be served in the Banquet Hall of the King's Mine in connection with guided tours and other events in the mines.

Kongsberg Ski Museum

As early as in 1881, the first ski jumping competition was organised in Kongsberg. This was the beginning of a success story unequalled in the world of skiing. The ski jumpers from Kongsberg brought home trophies from all over the world, and it was champion skier Sigmund Ruud who once said "let's bring the silver back to our town". The collection found its natural home at the Norwegian Mining Museum.

The Museum of the Royal Mint

Founded by King Christian V in 1686, the Royal Mint is one of the eldest Norwegian companies still in operation. The Mint remained a division of the Silver Mines until the closing down of the latter in 1958. The exhibition includes specimens of most Norwegian coins from the silver coins of Christian IV through to the modern-day nickel coins.

Kongsberg Arms and Industry Museum

This exhibition shows the different stages in the development of the arms factory: from being a traditional mechanical company it became a major force in the modernisation of Norwegian industry in the 1960s and emerged as the country's leading high technology and electronics group, internationally renowned.

The Collections of the Silver Mines

In the old buildings of the Mining Company, by the Nybrufossen waterfall in Kongsberg, the Norwegian Mining Museum has put together a collection of some of the most amazing treasures ever extracted from Norwegian mines. Silver nuggets weighing up to 50 kilograms each have earned the Kongsberg Silver Mines a reputation across the world.

The collections also document the development of mining that took place over more than 330 years during which the Kongsberg Silver mines were in operation. The visitor gets valuable insight into mining techniques such as gunpowder blasting and firesetting as well as into the everyday hardships and joys of the miners.

Opening hours 2010:

18.05-31.08 All days 10.00-17.00

01.09-16.05 All days exept mondays 12.00-15.00 (Monday closed)

01.09-16.05 Saturday and sundays 12.00-16.00

Prices 2010:

Adults NOK 80,- p.p

Children NOK 30,- p.p.

Reduced-rate ticket /student NOK 60,- p.p.

Family ticket NOK 180,-

Visits outside the opening hours will be charged individually and at a minimum of:

Daytime NOK 1100,-

Evening and weekends/public holiday NOK 2000,-