Vinjesvingen: Grungebru, Art and History

Vinjesvingen combines a waterside viewpoint with art, cultural trails and history, from road construction to the battles of 1940. This offers different options when choosing where to stay: Grungebru, Smørklepp Art Museum and the Mjonøy–Smørklepp cultural walk. Vinjesvingen is a road junction on the E134, west of Vinje Church.

Grungebru and the history of road construction

The old Grungebru is a popular spot with tourists because of its beautiful waterside view towards Grungedal and Haukeli. Its construction history also gives the place context: the bridge was built around 1840, after a royal decree in 1837 called for a new road to be built from Brunkeberg to Gugarden in Haukeli. The decree therefore preceded the bridge's construction by several years. Grungebru thus combines a view appreciated by tourists with the story of a specific road construction project.

Art museum and cultural walk

Smørklepp Art Museum in Vinjesvingen has an extensive collection of paintings by Henrik Sørensen and Harald Kihle. Next to the museum building is Sørensenhytta, which was opened and renovated in summer 2023. It contains exhibitions, as well as a room with old furniture and objects that were moved here from Kyddingsmo in 2004. The painting collection and the objects from Kyddingsmo offer different cultural highlights in the area around the museum.

The Mjonøy–Smørklepp cultural walk leads to the museum at its upper end; the cultural trail is four kilometres long. This links a specific distance with a named destination. For your planning, the route connects the cultural walk with the art museum.

The battles of 1940

During the 1940 campaign, Vinjesvingen was the scene of battles between Norwegian and German troops. The Telemark Infantry Regiment fought from positions near Vinjesvingen against German troops until early May 1940; several engagements took place. During the occupation, these battles took on symbolic importance as a sign of the importance of resistance to the German occupying force. Alongside the bridge built around 1840, they provide a timeline spanning the history of road construction and events of the 20th century.

In the wider Vinje destination, the Forsvarsmuseet explores this historical theme: it focuses on the battles at Vinjesvingen in 1940 and everyday life during the Second World War. The museum is open for guided tours during the summer season; outside the season, guided visits can be booked by arrangement.

Local goods and a stopover

Vinjesvingen Handel is a stopover on a cultural trip through Vinje. There you can buy local food and small goods from the area. The selection includes cheese, meat, baked goods and agricultural products; individual items may vary. This practical stop complements the historical and artistic themes of the place.

Discover more destinations: Vinje, Rauland, Botn, Edland

Go to the main travel overview: Vinje.