Allmannajuvet – a ravine and zinc mine museum in Sauda

Allmannajuvet is a ravine, or small canyon, along the river Storelva in Sauda Municipality, Rogaland county, in southwestern Norway. It sits in a rural, forested area beside County Road 520, between the town of Sauda and the village of Hellandsbygda. Today it is best known for its 19th-century zinc mine and for the museum designed there by Peter Zumthor.

Where is Allmannajuvet and how do you get there?

The ravine lies along County Road 520, which links Sauda and Hellandsbygda. The surroundings are quiet and wooded, at roughly 59.65° N, 6.47° E. The site has a car park, paths, toilets and a café, which makes it an easy stop on a drive through the region.

What is in the ravine?

Zinc ore was mined here in the 19th century. According to published accounts, mining ran from 1881 to 1899, although one source gives 1882 and describes rudimentary conditions at the start. In total about 12,000 tonnes of zinc ore were extracted. The miners worked in steep, difficult terrain, and traces of their activity can still be seen along the path through the ravine.

Peter Zumthor's Zinc Mine Museum

In 2002 the Norwegian Public Roads Administration commissioned Peter Zumthor, the Swiss architect, to design an attraction on the tourist route. It was meant to welcome visitors and revive the memory of Sauda's mining past. The museum opened to the public in 2016.

The complex consists of several simple, freestanding timber pavilions clad in plywood. Their interiors are painted black, suggesting the darkness of the old mine galleries. The structures were prefabricated in a factory several miles away and then assembled on site. Roofs and doors are made of zinc, a nod to the mine's history. Critics have compared the pavilions to watchtowers.

Can you take a guided tour?

In summer, guided tours run daily at 11:00 and 13:00. They cover the museum area, the mine path and the lower mine. Check current times before you go, as seasons and schedules can change.

Who is it for?

• Architecture fans who want to see a Zumthor design in a natural landscape.
• Anyone interested in industrial and mining history.
• Drivers travelling between Sauda and Hellandsbygda who want a short, unusual stop.

Frequently asked questions

What is Allmannajuvet? A ravine along the river Storelva in Sauda Municipality where zinc ore was mined in the 19th century. A mine museum now stands there.

Who designed the museum? Peter Zumthor, commissioned by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. It opened in 2016.

When was the mine active? From 1881 to 1899, producing about 12,000 tonnes of zinc ore.

Is there a café and parking? Yes, the site has a café, toilets, a car park and paths.

Are there guided tours? In summer they run daily at 11:00 and 13:00.