Rjukanfossen

Geologist Professor Jens Esmark had "discovered" Rjukan Falls in 1810 and reported to the King in Copenhagen about "the world's highest waterfall". He exaggerated somewhat, however. Rjukanfossen is no more than 104 metres high, but it led to increased tourism in Rjukan. Rjukan is actually called "the Norwegian tourist cradle of Norway". For one thing, great artists like I. C. Dahl and Johannes Flintoe painted the two natural giants Gaustatoppen and Rjukanfossen. Then came the upper classes from the great European cities to "inspect this natural beauty". There are many descriptions of the first encounter with Rjukanfossen. Unfortunately, today the waterfall is significantly reduced, as most of the water is piped to Vemork Kraftstasjon. At the same time, it is extra nice and big when it is first released. Every year it is released during the Marispelet at the end of July.