The legendary Second World War Hydro Plant in Rjukan, also known from the Hollywood film ‘Heroes of the Telemark’, starring Kirk Douglas, has now been enlisted on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The Vemork plant in Rjukan-Notodden was built in 1911. The heavy water, or deuteriumoxide, which was produced there during the Second World War, was essential to the German scientists working on an atomic bomb project, and the allies were desperate to destroy it.
The World Heritage Committee approved on June 5 the inscription of Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site in Norway on World Heritage List.
World Heritage List (WHL), was established in 1972 by UNESCO (UN’s organization for education, science and culture).
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage is both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration,” states UNESCO on its homepage.
The status of being on the list, imply responsibility to secure the site for future generations. It is an added quality stamp, an exclusive international standard and a brand for national tourism.
World famous sites on the WHL are Grand Canyon, Galapgos Islands and Yellowstone National Park. Six other sites are on the WHL in Norway:
Urnes Stave Church (1979)
Bryggen – the old Wharf of Bergen (1979)
Røros Mining Town and Circumference (1980)
Rock Art of Alta (1985)
The Vega Archipelago (2004)
West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord (2005)
Norwegian Hydro Plant on the World Heritage List, written by Tor Kjolberg
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