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Mågelibanen
Tyssedal, Norway
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Presentation
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Tyssedal
power station forming a water front to Sørfjord.
Facing a waterfall that is fed by the glaciers of Folgefonn.
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Sørfjord
is one of the inner side branches of the Hardangerfjord. It leads
almost straight to the south from Kinsarvik to Odda. Just before
its end you will find on its right side the town of Tyssedal. Tyssedal
as well as Odda are industrial towns embedded in a wonderful landscape
thus contrasting it by their factories (e.g. titanium-oxide works).
In Tyssedal one of the oldest norwegian hydroelectric power stations
is situated. The project was started in 1906 by Sam Eide (he also
founded the Norsk Hydro works in Rjukan). It exploits output of
the rich in water Hardangervidda, which rises almost 1000m above
sea level. The buildings on the banks of the fjord are now partly
used as a museum. The principal item of the plant (which consists
of several other power stations) is the Ringedalsvatn - a reservoir
almost 8 km long. This reservoir is hold by a large dam in Skjeggedal,
east of the town. |
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If
you are driving from Kinsarvik to the south you would rather
stop in the area of Lofthus known for its splendid orchards
and its view right across the fjord to Folgefonn, the southernmost
of Norwegias large glaciers.
I
had luck as I found a leaflet on holidays in Tyssedal, showing
a small picture of a funicular. So this place was planned
short termed as a stop on the journey from Voss to Karmøy.
Unfortunately the weather conditions on this day seemed
to thwart the visit. But again luckily rain and clouds dwindled
just in the area of Tyssedal.
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Viewing
south from the road to Skjeggedal, Tyssedal is bedded at the foot
of the Hardangervidda.
At the opposite, outskirts of Odda can be seen. |
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Despite
its industrial heritage Tyssedal is a very picturesque place
situated besides the road to Odda that emerges here between
two long tunnels. The whole town is build on rock. Rock that
was polished in round smooth shapes during the glacial period.
Now you have to ascend a narrow road that winds through the
living quarters of Tyssedal. The town seems to have seen better
times from the industrial point of view, but now it is a nice
place to live.
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Glacier
polished rocks emerge everywhere in Tyssedal.
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The
road climbs up the steep entrance of the valley and reaches
the settlement of Skjeggedal. Here all buildings obviously
serve the operation of the power stations. The view to the
inner parts of the valley is blocked by the long dam of
Ringedalsvatn rising over the forests as a large fabulous
being. This impression was intensified by the mists resting
in the valley bottom at the time of the visit.
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Ringedalsvatn
dam. |
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