Telemark, County in southern Norway
Telemark runs from the Hardangervidda mountain plateau through wooded valleys to a coastal archipelago between Oslo and Kristiansand. The landscape shifts between bare highland zones, deep river valleys, and a rugged coastline with many islands and inlets.
The Henrik Ibsen Museum in Skien shows the early life setting of the Norwegian playwright with original objects and period furnishings from his childhood. This exhibition documents the formative years of one of the country's most important writers.
The name comes from the North Germanic Thelir tribe who lived in Upper Telemark during the Migration Period. This early settlement shaped the development of the region over many centuries.
The Gaustabanen cable car takes visitors to the summit of Gaustatoppen in 15 minutes and offers a wide view over the mainland. The journey runs through a tunnel inside the mountain and reaches a height of 1,883 meters (6,178 feet).
The canal system links Skien with Dalen over 105 kilometers (65 miles) and passes through 18 locks originally built in the 19th century for timber transport. The waterway follows natural lakes and artificial sections through the countryside.
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