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The living
mining museum
The mining museum at Litlabø has been established in memory of the community that existed under A/S Stordø Kisgruber.
Sulfur ore was mined in the area from 1865 to 1968. At that time, operations stopped due to reduced demand, but there is still a lot of Pyrite ore in the mine.
Litlabø, or Gruo as they say locally, has a lot of history to offer, both geologically, architecturally, technically and socially.
The original mining museum on Litlabø was opened on 29 May 1984, located in the old smithy ("Smio") in the mining area. A number of photos and artefacts from the mining operations have been collected here, in addition to two beautiful models of the mining area at Litlabø and the shipping quay at Grunnavågsneset.
The mining tunnels
Join exciting hikes inside the mining tunnels, combined with lectures about miners working methods and everyday life.
Guided tour into the mine. Photo Tor Resser ©
The little mining train
Venelaget for Gruo has, through hard work, created exciting experiences: The small mining train runs at a gauge of 600 mm, and the locomotive "Blåmann" pulls wagons with visitors 250 meters through the mining area and some distance into the mine. The railway is the link between many of the old buildings that are preserved from the mining Era.
The mining train, here pulled by the locomotive «Blåmann». Photo Tor Resser ©
The shaft tower
The shaft tower from 1928 has been restored. Join the guided tour to the top! Inside, new stairs and four floors have been built. From the upper level there is a great view. In good weather it is possible to see the bridge towers of the Bømlo bridge.
The shaft tower and the beautiful view from the shaft tower, photo: Tor Resser ©.
Heishuset
The lift house, which at one time housed the machinery for the shaft lift, has been converted into an exhibition and assembly hall. Here, among other things, the original unit from Børtveit power station, a complete plant from 1921 with turbine, generator, regulator and control panel. Stordø Kisgruber built the power station.
Carbide lanterns from the exhibition in Heishuset. The complete unit from Børtveit Power station. Information about the mine for schoolchildren before a tour into the mine. All photos Tor Resser ©
The restored workers house
In the pleasant park between the mining plane and the venerable office building from 1910, is the restored workers' housing. The house has been restored and is fully and completely furnished with original furniture from the old workers' houses found at Stordø Kisgruber. Here, visitors can see what it was like to live and grow up in the middle of the mining community in the 1950s. The museum in Smio and the workers' housing are the responsibility of Sunnhordland Museum. Both Sunnhordland Museum and Venelaget for Gruo do guided tours in the Smio and the workers' housing.
The mining park. The restored workers' house on the left, the monument of the miner to the right, behind you see the shaft tower. Photo Tor Resser ©
Guided tour of the museum
In addition to old objects from the mining era, there are many historical photos to see.
Guided tour at Smio. Photo Tor Resser ©
