Issue 28th February 2024 Kongsberg 400th Anniversary

Those who visit Kongsberg today may not necessarily imagine that 200-300 years ago was one of Norway's most important cities. In the mid-1700s, the mining town of Kongsberg was Norway's second largest city after Bergen and had almost become Norway's capital. When rich deposits of silver were found In 1623, King Christian IV established a silver works and built Kongsberg in 1624.

Since the closure of silver mining, the Kongsberg community has developed an international industrial environment that solves a number of impressive challenges, installing high technology in countless unusual places, from the hardest rocks to the deepest parts of the ocean and outermost space. Now that Kongsberg is turning 400 years old, the aim is to highlight the city's qualities as a great place to live and the diverse technology and cultural environments. The celebration should be relevant and spark excitement for all residents of the municipality, for all parts of the business community and for the wealth of culture, sports and volunteerism that the city has to offer. And as we commemorate 400 years of history, so we look ahead to the next 400 years.