Hydro industrial park

About

Experience Norwegian industrial history up close at Hydroparken, the heart of the Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage Site. This is where the world’s first industrial-scale production of fertilizer began, a pioneering project now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Idea to World-Changing Innovation

The story began in the early 1900s when engineer Sam Eyde met scientist Kristian Birkeland at a dinner hosted by Minister Gunnar Knudsen. Inspired by Birkeland’s electric arc, Eyde developed the idea that would revolutionize Norwegian industry. In 1905, the first experimental production took place in Hydroparken, marking the start of an industrial adventure that changed the world.

Hydropower and Innovation

In Notodden, Eyde accessed the electricity he needed from industrialist Ole H. Holta and the Tinfos I power station. Hydroparken became the birthplace of modern Norwegian industry. Today, visitors can explore the fascinating stories of this pioneering period and learn how innovation and industrial development grew side by side.

Early 20th-Century Industrial Architecture

Hydroparken features some of Norway’s most impressive industrial architecture from the early 1900s. A highlight is the Birkeland-Eyde furnace outside Furnace House A, a key invention in Norwegian technology and industrial history.

Notodden – The Cradle of Hydro

Hydroparken is beautifully located along the shores of Heddalsvannet in the heart of Telemark. The site offers a unique insight into Norwegian industrial history, showing how early technology and hydropower combined to create world-leading industry.

Experience Norway’s Industrial Pioneer Spirit

Visit Hydroparken and see where Norwegian industrial history began, from early experimental production to World Heritage recognition. Hydroparken is a must for anyone interested in technology, innovation, and cultural heritage.