Øvre Eiker

Half the approximately 16.132 inhabitants of Øvre Eiker municipality live in Hokksund, where the Town Hall, a typical specimen of Scandinavian architecture of the 1960´s, dominates the centre. Øvre Eiker covers a area of 456,8 km2. It also contains a swimming pool, library and service centre. A beautiful landscape surrounds the Eiker countryside. The lower part of the Drammen river is rich in forests, farms and vantage points. The inhabitants live in the villages Skotselv, Vestfossen, Darbu and the small town of Hokksund. Øvre Eiker has today more than 15,000 inhabitants and lies in Buskerud.

The old part of Hokksund and the Eiker countryside are things you must visit. Eiker is also famous for the Nøstetangen glassworks and Hassel ironworks, silver mines and burial mounds. Fossesholm Manor in Vestfossen is the main attraction. You are also welcome to try the vast opportunities for sports, hiking, water sports, biking and fishing in tarns and rivers. 17th century Eiker was an important centre with rich mineral resources nearby, including the largest Nordic Viking gold find. In 1624 the first Norwegian public road was built from Kongsberg to Vestfossen upon a royal decree.

HISTORY

17th century Eiker was an important centre with rich mineral resources nearby, including the largest Nordic Viking gold find. The first Norwegian public road was built from Kongsberg to Vestfossen upon a royal decree of 1624. 18th century Hassel ironworks stoves and Nøstetangen glass products are today famed as unique pieces of art. An estate since the Middle Ages, Fossesholm was expanded to 5O.000 acres in 1541, making it the largest farming and forestry property in the country. In the period 1647-51 the estate belonged to the vice-regent, Hannibal Sehested. The buildings as we see them today are the result of the last enlargement and decoration in the rococco style in 1763.

The oldest buildings in the Eiker area are to be found at Old Hokksund (Haugsund) with well preserved 18th century houses. Sculpture exhibitions are organized in summer in front of the Tawn Hall and art exhibitions in Tingstua and at Steinberg east of Hokksund; special services and concerts at Fiskum Old Church.

SKOTSELV

Skotselv is a village in the municipality of Øvre Eiker, Norway. Its population around 684, of which 8 people live within the border of the neighbouring municipality of Modum. It has a railway station on the Randsfjordbane. The main attraction in Skotselv is unarguable the "Dyvelgården", an old mansion representing the celluloid area of the village. Another important place to the village is the public school. With a history of over 250 years of practice it is one of the municipality´s oldest schools. This illustrates the important role the village had with its Iron Mill. A popular walking area is along "Bingenselven" with its beautiful park suitable for camping and outdoor grilling.

HELLEFOSSEN

Where the Drammen river runs through Hokksund, it is considered one of the best salmon rivers in Norway. A fishing licence may be bought valid for specific zones and specific time periods such as Hellefossen. These licences are for sale at Hokksund Båt og Camping. A salmon festival is organized every year in the beginning of August. One of Norways best rivers for Salmon Fishing. You can buy fishing card for one day, week or the whole season. Season is from May 15 to September 15.

NØSTETANGEN MUSEUM

Nøstetangen Glasværk was Norways first glass manufacturing company. The glasswork were in operation in Hokksund from 1741-1777. They had a guiding position in the art industry, which was based on the skills of craftsmen from Germany and England. With the help of multimedia presentations, web-based displays and collections of original Nøstetangen glass, Nøstetangen Museum presents the history of the glassworks. The exhibits are partly owned by the museum and partly lent from other public and private collections. In 1999 the museum was awarded the Cultural Monument Prize. The main building houses not only the museum, but also a number of bright, friendly rooms in which art exhibitions displaying the works of well-known professional artists are organized during the summer months.

NØSTETANGEN GLASS

In the district court judges stables in Hokksund (beside the Nøstetangen Museum), you can watch the molten glass being formed. The designs extend from cups and glasses based on old Nøstetangen models to modern coloured glassware, which you can buy in the little glas shop.

FOSSESHOLM MANOR

An estate since the Middle Ages, Fossesholm was expanded to 5O.000 acres in 1541, making it the largest farming and forestry property in the country. In the period 1647-51 the estate belonged to the vice-regent, Harnibal Sehested The buildings as we see them today are the result of the last enlargement and decoration in the rococco style in 1763. Today a cultural centre, art exhibitions and concert are organized at Fossesholm, also featuring exhibitions of dolls, the War Resistance, a shop for hand-crafted articles and a café.

JONAS LIE

Norway´s smallest town, Stavern was home to many of Norway´s most known and celebrated artist including Herman Wildenvey and Jonas Lie. Jonas Lie (1833-1908) was born november 1833 in Hokksund and grew up in Tromsø. As a youth Jonas Lie was a naval cadet in Stavern and lived in the naval barracks. This setting became the basis of his famous novel "The commander`s Doughters" (Kommandørens døtre) which immortilised him in Norway. In his later years, Jonas Lie and his wife Thomasine retired to Stavern, to their house "Elisenfryd".

FISKUM OLD CHURCH

Fiskum old Church is situated in Fiskum, between Hokksund and Kongsberg. The Church was built around the year 1200 and is a beautful little church.

HAUG CHURCH

Haug Church at Hokksund was also originally a medieval church, but was enlarged and constructed in brick after afire in 1818.

BAKKE CHURCH

Bakke Church at Skotselv and Fiskum Church at Darbu, were opened in 1883 and 1866, respectively.

LAKE EIKERN

Lake Eikern offers many fine opportunities for water sports. Sundhaugen is a small paradise, between the lakes of Eikern and Fiskum. Sundhaugen, offers beaches and diving boards and other possibilities. At the lake Fiskum bird reserve, more than 200 different species have been observed. The lakes are also populare for those who wish to try sailing or other boat activities. Join the ferry M/S Eikern on a tour of one of Norways most beautiful landscapes (Vestfossen - Fiskumvannet - Eikern - Eidsfoss).

M/S EIKERN

The boat M/S Eikern takes you on a journey through one of Norways most beautiful landscapes. We arrange cruises and sightseeing trips for companies and groups. M/S Eikern have a nice cafeteria with a capasity of 35 persons. On request we serve different types of food. On sundeck there are approx. 30 seats, where you can enjoy the fantastic view. The capasity is 63 passangeres. During the summer months, there are open trips for individuals every sunday, starting from Vestfossen to Eidsfoss (every sunday in July and the three first in August).

BERGANS RUCKSACK

Is located in Øvre Eiker. This company can´t deliver enough of their products. The Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, used Bergans equipment on all his major expeditions. Bergans carrying system became standard equipment in the Norwegian army as early as in 1914. Over the years, a dozen other armies have used Bergans backpacks. Numerous Bergans patents have been born since Bergans was established in 1908 (no other rucksack manufacturer has such long experience).

EIKER GÅRDSYSTERI

Eiker Gårdsysteri lies in Skotselv and have high quality production facilities to produce handmade cheese with a characteristic taste. Café Hemsen on the premises are for hire.

KAROLINES FARM PARK

Twenty different kinds of animals in a free environment. Groups accepted outside normal opening hours. Safe riding for young and old. Therapeutically adapted. Meals, grilling, beach, playground.

FISHING

Where the Drammen river runs through Hokksund, it is considered one of the best salmon rivers in Norway. A fishing licence may be bought valid for specific zones and specific time periods such as Hellefossen. These licences are for sale at Hokksund Båt og Camping. A salmon festival is organized every year in the beginning of August. One of Norways best rivers for Salmon Fishing. You can buy fishing card for one day, week or the whole season. Season is from May 15 to September 15.