Folkestien in Skien

About

Welcome to a historic city walk along Skien's Main Axis and the Telemark Canal. This route takes you through central cultural monuments and popular recreational areas in Skien.

1. The City Axis and Bryggevannet (Wharf Lake)

• Tollboden (Customs House, 1856): This historic building marks one end of the city’s main axis, which was laid out in the city plan following the great fire of 1886.
• Bryggevannet: The five fountains in the water emphasize the city axis, which stretches towards the church.

 

2. Mudringen and the Harbour Area

• Mudringen: The area extending from the City Hall Square (Rådhusplassen) out to the waterside warehouses (sjøbodene). This harbour area was gradually expanded using fill material.
• Salmon Ladder (Laksetrapp): Leads salmon up to Hjellevannet from Bryggevannet, which currently has a depth of approximately 5 meters.

 

3. Smieøya and the Telemark Canal

• Start of the Telemark Canal: This is where the historic canal begins with the Skien Lock (Skien Sluse), which opened in 1861.
• Kanalgata: The buildings here previously housed a packing warehouse, canal office, and lockkeeper residences.
• Union Co. History: Industrial operations began here in 1873 with a pulp mill and paper factory. The factory building PM5 is protected as an important industrial cultural heritage monument in Telemark.

 

4. Laugstol Park and the Sawmill Industry

• Up-and-Down Saws (Oppgangssager): The sawmill operations here utilized the waterfall between Hjellevannet and Bryggevannet.
• Paper Production: Skien was long an important paper town. Production was a central industry until Union closed down in 2006.

 

5. Hjellebrygga (Hjelle Wharf)

• Departure for the Telemark Boats: Hjellebrygga has been the departure point for the historic canal boats since 1900.
• Historic Trade Centre: The Hjellen area was characterized by many hotels and taverns, and the waterway strongly contributed to the growth of Skien as a major trading town.

 

6. Bakkestranda: Recreation Area and Flood History

• Historical Context: This area was previously an execution site (rettersted) and ferry crossing to Fartangen, and has regularly been affected by floods.
• Popular Recreation Area: Bakkestranda has been restored in recent years and is now a popular recreational area and swimming spot in Skien.

 

7. Havebyen (Garden City) at Falkum

• Urban Development (1905–1920): During industrialization, citizens moved out of the city centre and established themselves in the Falkum area.
• Architecture: The area is characterized by beautiful Swiss Chalet and Art Nouveau houses with large gardens. Many of the villas were designed by architect Heinrich Karsten from Skien.

 

8. Lundedalen: Green Park Strip

• Recreational Area: An important green park facility that stretches from Bakkestranda to the agricultural areas north of the city.
• Dividing Line: The park strip acts as a separation between the "old town" and the newer residential area of Falkum.

 

9. Sculpture of Hjalmar Johansen

• The Polar Hero: A sculpture of the polar explorer Hjalmar Johansen, known for his polar expeditions with Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen.
• Artist: Created by sculptor and professor Wilhelm Rasmussen.

 

10. Odd Stadium

• Sports History: The home arena for the elite football team Odd Grenland (or Odds Ballklubb).
• Sculpture: In front of the main entrance stands the sculpture "Odder'n i skuddet" (The Otter in the Shot), created by artist Øyvind Hansen.