Timber slide in Siljan

About

The timber gutter at Gorningen in Siljan was used to float large quantities of timber. The channel went all the way down to Lakssjø. This was done to ease the breaking over several waterfall rapids.

Timber floating history in Siljan
Siljan has a distinctive timber floating story. The Siljan watercourse has contained an entire system of floating dams continuously from the 1730s until the end of the 1960s. The timber gutter at Gorningen symbolizes this activity - first managed by Larvik County, from 1835 Treschow Fritzøe.

The struggle for better working conditions
In the period 1910-1926, the float environment in Siljan was a strong driving force for the forest workers' right to organize. Collective agreements were not a matter of course, the struggle cost great personal sacrifices. The effort provided a basis for the establishment of Skog og Land under LO in 1927 and a collective bargaining position. From 1935 came the main agreement and an improved climate of cooperation in working life - something you constantly reap the benefits of.