Sun Mirror, Rjukan, Telemark, Norway
The sun mirrors bring sun down to Rjukan Square during winter months, when it is normally shady.
The Solspeil, or sun mirror, is a spectacular project that will strengthen the identity and attraction of the town that is the gateway to the Hardangervidda.
The founder of the town Rjukan, mr Sam Eyde, launched the idea in 1913 of a “Solspeil”, or sun mirror, above Rjukan. He saw the importance of the “sun in Rjukan” as well in the winter. He had also a need to give his workers the opportunities for sunlight in the winter. This idea is one of the few Sam Eyde did not manage to follow-through to completion.
Instead, his successors built a gondola in 1928 to transport Rjukan´s inhabitants to the winter sunshine. This gondola is called Krossobanen. It remains functional, and is an important connection between the town and the mountains, where the sun´s rays are limited to in the winter months. Krossobanen transports thousands of people to the mountains every year.
Epic Norway Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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