Drammen is a town and municipality in the province of Buskerud in
Viken county. It is located where the Drammensvassdraget empties
into the Drammensfjord. The municipality borders Lier in the
northeast, Holmestrand in the south and Øvre Eiker in the west.
Drammen is located approx. 40 km southwest of Oslo. The municipality
was merged with Nedre Eiker and Svelvik into the new Drammen
municipality from 1 January 2020 and became Norway's 7th largest
municipality in population.
The timber trade in the Drammen
area formed the basis for the growth of the city, which in the 18th
century developed into one of Eastern Norway's most important
maritime and commercial cities; in 1715, the charging stations
Strømsø and Bragernes were each given the status of a market town.
Drammen became part of Buskerud county in 1760 and was later the
administration center in Buskerud county until 2020. In modern
times, Drammen is the center of one of the fastest growing urban
regions in Norway, the Drammen region, which is part of the
metropolitan region around Oslo. fifth largest. The urban buildings
extend far beyond the municipal boundaries; into the municipalities
of Lier, Asker, Øvre Eiker and Holmestrand. The town's total
population is 109,416 inhabitants as of 1 January 2020. Drammen
municipality has 100 581 inhabitants after the municipal reform, and
is the seventh largest in the country, by population. About 21
percent of Drammen municipality's population has an immigrant
background.
Prehistory and Earliest Human Activity
Human presence in the
Drammen area dates back 6,000–8,000 years (roughly 6000–4000 BCE),
evidenced by rock carvings (petroglyphs) at Åskollen and Austad. The
largest and most famous at Åskollen depicts a moose (elk), typical of
hunter-gatherer rock art from the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition in
Scandinavia.
During the Viking Age (c. 793–1066 CE), the area was
known as Drafn or Drofn. Sea levels were 4–5 meters higher than today,
allowing longships to sail farther up the fjord. Historical sagas
mention that Olav the Saint (Olaf II) hid from Knut the Mighty (Cnut the
Great) in the Drammensfjord. In 1043, Saint Hallvard—patron saint of
Oslo—was killed and his body sunk in the fjord with a millstone tied
around his neck.
Medieval Period: Settlement, Farming, and Rise
of Lumber Trade
By the late 13th century, a permanent settlement
existed at the end of the river course, with farming, livestock, and
salt production as key activities. Lumber (timber) trade emerged as the
dominant industry in the 14th century. The first recorded lumber export
occurred in 1340, with ships anchoring in Drammen; by 1388, the port
generated its first public revenues. Dutch traders dominated early
exports.
A customs house was built in 1558 (replaced by a larger one
on Smedsøya in the mid-17th century). The Drammen area originally
comprised three small seaports: Bragernes (north side of the river), and
Strømsø and Tangen (south side). For trade administration, Bragernes
fell under Christiania (Oslo), while Strømsø was under Tønsberg,
hindering local cooperation despite proximity.
17th–18th
Centuries: Trade Boom and Merger Attempts
Timber exports surged, with
Drammen's fjord becoming the primary route. By the mid-18th century, the
port exported twice as much timber/lumber as Christiania's port. A port
authority was organized around 1730 after evaluation. Customs houses
were rebuilt after fires (e.g., 1750 fire led to a large 1751 facility).
Government took over customs collection in 1777.
In 1662, a proposal
to merge Strømsø and Bragernes into a market town named Frederiksstrøm
was rejected by King Frederick III. Bragernes received limited market
town rights in 1715. Timber floating, sawmills, and shipbuilding grew
along the river, supported by abundant surrounding forests.
19th
Century: Official Founding, Industrialization, and the Great Fire
Drammen was officially founded as a unified city on 19 June 1811, when
Bragernes and Strømsø merged (Tangen was already integrated). Its
location favored seafaring, shipbuilding, log driving, and timber trade.
The 19th century brought rapid industrialization: paper and pulp mills
along the river, plus iron foundries (e.g., Drammens Jernstøberi, 1847),
glassworks, textile factories, shoe production, Norway's first canning
factory, and the Aass Brewery (founded 1834, Norway's oldest surviving
brewery, still operating riverside).
Multiple city fires struck in
the early 19th century, culminating in the Great Fire of 12–13 July
1866, which devastated large parts of the city (especially Bragernes
side). Reconstruction followed: authorities encouraged brick buildings
and grand public structures (e.g., stock exchange, Drammen Theatre by
Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet in 1869 Renaissance style—later
destroyed by fire in 1993 and rebuilt). Residents often used wood,
creating the characteristic two-story "drammenshus" style. Bragernes
Church and the expansive Bragernes Torg (Norway's largest town square)
were key features of the rebuilt center.
20th Century: Transport
Innovations, Wars, and Port Evolution
Drammen gained Scandinavia's
first trolleybus system in 1909 (operated until 1967). Traffic
congestion led to the Drammen Bridge (1970, E18, expanded to four lanes
in 2006) and Bragernes Tunnel (1999).
Specific details on Drammen
during WWII (German occupation of Norway, 1940–1945) are limited in
primary sources, but as a port and industrial city, it was affected by
the broader occupation: Norwegian industries (including timber/paper)
were exploited for German war efforts, with forced labor and economic
controls. Post-war, port buildings and cranes were upgraded; paper
exports initially boomed then declined. Car imports began in 1964 (first
Datsun), making Drammen Norway's largest car import port. Holmen bridge
and Riskaia dock (1974) aided logistics; the port was municipalized in
1985.
Modern Developments (Late 20th–21st Century)
The city
center has been revitalized with new housing, shopping, restaurants,
cafes, bars, and a public riverside pathway along the Drammenselva.
District heating was upgraded with water-sourced heat pumps using fjord
water. The 200th anniversary in 2011 featured widespread celebrations.
On 1 January 2020, the municipalities of Drammen, Svelvik, and Nedre
Eiker merged, creating a larger Drammen Municipality (Norway's 7th
largest, population over 100,000). The port continues expanding (e.g.,
2003 addition of 90 acres at Holmen, more rail tracks 2016, container
capacity increases) and focuses on sustainability: emissions-free by
2030, high rail modal share, maintained car import dominance, and growth
targets for bulk/breakbulk/TEU cargo. It remains a key intermodal hub in
southeast Norway.
Drammen is a city and municipality in Viken county (formerly
Buskerud), southeastern Norway, situated approximately 44 km (27 mi)
southwest of Oslo at coordinates 59°44′16″N 10°12′18″E. It lies at the
head of the Drammensfjord, a narrow branch of the innermost Oslofjord,
in a sheltered valley setting that shapes much of its physical
geography, climate, and urban development. The municipality spans 137
km² (53 sq mi, with 135 km² land), ranking 366th in size nationally, and
forms part of the Oslo metropolitan area. The broader urban settlement
extends into neighboring municipalities like Lier, Asker, Øvre Eiker,
and Holmestrand, supporting a population of around 110,000 in the
extended area.
Fjord and River System
The Drammensfjord is a
key feature, stretching about 30 km (19 mi) north-northeast from its
connection to the Ytre (outer) Oslofjord on the west side. It narrows
dramatically at the Svelvik strait (between Svelvik on the west and
Verket/Asker on the east) to about 200 m (660 ft) wide and 10 m (33 ft)
deep, creating one of Norway's strongest tidal currents (up to 5 knots
or 9.3 km/h outflow). North of the strait, maximum depth reaches 117 m
(384 ft). The fjord receives major freshwater inflow from the
Drammenselva (primary) and Lierelva, resulting in brackish surface
waters north of the strait—low salinity, no jellyfish in bathing areas,
but higher salinity deeper down. This supports marine species like cod,
pollock, flounder, and mackerel. The fjord was historically polluted by
sewage and industry from Drammen but has significantly improved,
allowing salmon and sea trout to return to the river and fjord.
Navigationally, large ships are restricted to daylight hours, with the
largest requiring tug assistance; the strait has been widened and
deepened for traffic. A short car ferry crosses the strait, Norway's
shortest route.
The Drammenselva (Drams River) dominates the city's
geography, dividing the historic core into Bragernes (north bank) and
Strømsø/Tangen (south bank). It is one of Norway's largest rivers, with
a drainage basin of ~17,000–17,100 km² (6,600 sq mi) and average
discharge of ~300–314 m³/s. The full drainage system measures ~309 km
(192 mi), originating on the southern slopes of the Halling Mountains
(Hallingdalen) as the Halling River, flowing east-northeast through Gol,
then south-southeast via Lake Krøderen, and finally southward ~48 km (30
mi) in its lowest "Drams River" section into the fjord head at Drammen.
The river is heavily regulated by hydroelectric facilities and
historically facilitated log driving and timber trade, supporting
shipbuilding, paper, and lumber mills along its banks. Today, it
supports salmon fishing and recreational uses. The river's Old Norse
name (Drǫfn, meaning "wave") inspired the fjord's original name.
Topography and Terrain
Drammen occupies a valley floor at the fjord
head, with low elevations near sea level (city center around 10–20 m).
The surrounding terrain rises into hills, ridges, and forested slopes,
with the municipality's average elevation variously reported around
123–219 m depending on the mapped area (reflecting inclusion of higher
peripheral zones). Notable features include the Skansen Ridge,
accessible via the Drammen Spiral (Spiralen)—a 6-loop road tunnel
(opened 1961) carved from a former quarry, reaching a viewpoint ~180 m
above the town. Higher viewpoints in the municipality or immediate area,
such as Haukåsutsikten, sit at ~348 m above sea level, offering
panoramic vistas. The extended municipality (post-2020 merger with Nedre
Eiker and Svelvik) incorporates varied terrain, including parts near
higher ridges like those approaching 600+ m in adjacent areas (e.g.,
influences from Vestfjellet at 634 m in nearby Holmestrand). The valley
setting provides shelter from winds, contributing to the local
microclimate.
Climate
The sheltered valley location at the
narrow fjord head makes Drammen one of Scandinavia's warmest cities in
summer despite its latitude, with a humid continental climate (Dfb).
Winters are fairly cold, summers mild to warm. Data from the
Drammen-Berskog station (8 m elevation, 1991–2020 normals; extremes
1966–2020):
Annual mean daily max: 11.6 °C (52.9 °F); July 23.9
°C (75.0 °F); Jan −0.5 °C (31.1 °F)
Annual daily mean: 6.6 °C (43.9
°F); July 18 °C (64 °F); Jan −3.3 °C (26.1 °F)
Annual mean daily min:
2.8 °C (37.0 °F); July 13.1 °C (55.6 °F); Jan −6.6 °C (20.1 °F)
Record high: 35 °C (95 °F, Aug 1982); record low: −28 °C (−18 °F, Jan
1987)
Annual precipitation: 808.6 mm (31.85 in), distributed fairly
evenly (highest in late summer/fall: Aug 89 mm, Oct 89 mm)
The
city center is slightly milder in winter and cooler in summer due to
maritime fjord influence. Nearby Svelvik-Knem records slightly higher
annual mean (7.0 °C) and precipitation (~1,024 mm).
Urban and
Historical Geography
The urban layout follows the river and valley,
with the historic seaports of Bragernes, Strømsø, and Tangen separated
by the river mouth (favorable for shipping and trade). Iconic
infrastructure includes the Ypsilon Bridge, Drammen Bridge (1970,
expanded 2006), Bragernes Tunnel (1999), and the Drammen Line railway
(1872). Holmen island hosts Norway's main car and fruit import harbor.
The 2020 merger expanded the municipality, incorporating riverside
communities like Mjøndalen, Krokstadelva, Konnerud, Fjell, Åskollen, and
Svelvik. Ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs) at Åskollen and Austad
(6,000–7,000 years old), including a large moose depiction, indicate
long human adaptation to this river-fjord landscape. A major 1866 fire
led to rebuilding, and 19th-century industries leveraged the river and
fjord.
Drammen participates in Buskerudbyen, a long-term collaboration on
area, transport and environment between seven partners. Buskerudbyen
receives support from the state reward scheme for better public
transport, increased bicycle use and more pedestrians, and thus no
increase in private car use in the Buskerudby area between Kongsberg
and Lier. Drammen is a hub for communication by both car and train.
The main road network in Drammen
E18 is the main connection
to the cities of Oslo and Vestfold. It passes the city center via a
four-lane high bridge which is Norway's longest. From the E18 in
Lier, take European road 134 (Oslofjord connection) to the E6 at
Vassum in Frogn. County road 282 from Brakerøya to Lyngås in Lier
crosses European road 134 at Amtmannsvingen in Lier municipality.
From the E18, the E134 on the south side of the Drammenselva leads
west to Hokksund and Kongsberg and on to Haugesund. On the north
side, county road 283 goes via the Bragerne tunnel to Mjøndalen. On
the west side of Drammensfjorden, county road 319 goes to Svelvik
and on to Sande in Vestfold. The short distance to Oslo also means
that the city gets more and more commuters. Drammen has an inner
ring road that directs traffic outside the city center. The ring
road goes in a tunnel on the Bragernessiden side and crosses the
river over the Holmen bridges and Øvre Sund bridge. On Strømsø, the
ring road follows county road 282. The ring road is connected to the
E18 on Brakerøya and on Bangeløkka, where the E134 is also
connected.
Railway and public transport
Drammen is an
important railway hub in Norway. Drammen station is the terminus on
the Drammen line and at the same time an important station on the
Vestfold line, the Sørlands line and the Randsfjord line / Bergens
line. Sørlandsbanen and Bergensbanen go west Drammensdalen through
Gulskogen, Mjøndalen and Hokksund, where they separate teams, while
Vestfoldbanen turns south just after Drammen station and goes
through Kobbervikdalen and Skoger towards Vestfold -byene and Skien
/ Porsgrunn. Drammen station is Flytoget's western terminus. Drammen
station was reopened on 15 June 2011 after an extensive rebuild and
refurbishment. The railway bridges over the Drammenselva were partly
rebuilt and extended to two tracks in 1996.
In addition, there are two smaller stations in the city:
Brakerøya station and Gulskogen station.
Brakar serves public
transport in Buskerud and is headquartered in Drammen. The TIME
express route TE1 Notodden-Kongsberg-Drammen-Oslo stops at Bragernes
torg and several other stops. Several other express buses also stop
at Bangeløkka in Drammen.
Port traffic
Drammen is a port
city with access from the outer Oslofjord through Svelviksundet and
up the Drammensfjord. The port of Drammen is a so-called intermodal
hub port, where goods from cars, railways and boats can be reloaded
quickly and cost-effectively. The harbor is a hub in central Eastern
Norway and has a customer base of two million people within a radius
of 100 km. The port of Drammen is one of the main network ports in
Norway and contributes to environmentally friendly transport to and
from the region.
For several decades, Drammen has been
Norway's largest port for car imports, but also larger project
loads, general cargo and bulk cross the port of Drammen today. A
fixed container line with weekly transport to and from central
European ports has been established. The Norwegian Coastal
Administration invested NOK 150 million in upgrading the fairway to
Drammen, to facilitate sea transport to and from the Drammen region,
in 2006.