//
The silver mines in the Kongsberg bedrock were in continuous operation from 1623 to 1958, and was Norway's most important business before industrialization. Output was up to 10,000 kg silver annually. The underground mines includes some 1,000 km tunnels and 300 shafts. The mines reach a depth of 1000 metres, well below the sea level. The town of Kongsberg, literally the "King's mines", as a key town in Norway. In 1770 more than 4000 were employed in the mines, Kongsberg was then Norway's second largest city behind Bergen. The large church in Kongsberg is a legacy of the town's heydays. Parts of the mines are open to the public and Norwegian mining museum is downtown Kongsberg.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Kongsberg skisenter
Ski resort near downtown Kongsberg. Along with Norefjell this is one of the ski resorts closest to the major towns (Oslo, Drammen) in east Norway.
Kongsberg kirke
Kongsberg's large church, one of Norway's largest, is a legacy from Kongsberg's important past. It was designed for 2400 seats, now seating is limited to 1100. The somewhat strict exterior conceals a rich rococco interior, the interior also reflects the particular mining society at Kongsberg. German professionals at the mines had a key impact on the design. The interior has several unusual features, such as the integration of the pulpit with the altar, the organ towering above. The largest chandelier is about 3 meters tall. The King's chambre is also a dominant feature of the interior.