Myrdal is a unique example of a settlement whose birth and existence are inextricably linked to the development of engineering prowess and Norway's transport infrastructure. Unlike ancient towns that emerged on trade routes or around fortresses, Myrdal's history began with the laying of railway tracks in harsh mountain conditions.
Founding and First Mentions
The actual birth of Myrdal can be considered the beginning of the 20th century, during the active construction of one of the world's most scenic and complex railways.
1908: The official opening of the Myrdal railway station. It became part of the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), connecting Oslo and Bergen.
Construction Camp: Before the official opening, a temporary camp existed here for the construction workers who were carving tracks through mountain passes and tunnels.
Key Factors of Establishment
Myrdal's development as an important transport hub was dictated solely by its geographical location and logistical needs.
Geography: The station is located on a high-mountain plateau at an altitude of 867 meters above sea level. This was a strategic point for servicing trains before they tackled difficult mountain stretches.
Transport Hub: A decisive factor in the area's history was the decision to build the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana). Myrdal became the upper terminus of this branch, connecting the high-altitude mainline with the fjord.
Early Cultural and Economic Features
During its first decades, Myrdal lived to the rhythm of the railway.
Railway Settlement: The primary population consisted of railway employees and their families, who ensured the continuous operation of the tracks in challenging climatic conditions.
The "Rallar" Era: The history of the place is closely tied to the culture of the "rallar" (navvies)—itinerant road workers whose grueling labor made it possible to create tracks through the rock.
The Dawn of Tourism: With the opening of the Flåm Railway in the 1940s, Myrdal began to transform from a technical station into a key tourist hub, attracting travelers eager to see Norway’s famous landscapes.
Timeline
Chronology of Myrdal’s Development
1894 — The Norwegian Parliament makes the historic decision to build the Bergen Line, predetermining the emergence of a station in this high-mountain region.
1906 — Construction of the Gravhalsen Tunnel west of Myrdal is completed; at the time, it was the longest tunnel in Northern Europe.
1908 — Myrdal Station is commissioned and begins receiving the first trains running between the east and west of the country.
1909 — King Haakon VII officially opens the Bergen Line, solidifying Myrdal's status as a vital transport hub.
1923 — The plan to build a branch line, the Flåm Railway, is approved to connect the high-mountain station with the Sognefjord.
1924 — Complex construction work begins on the Flåmsbana line, starting from Myrdal and heading down into the Flåmsdalen valley.
1940 — Temporary freight traffic using steam power opens on the Myrdal–Flåm route.
1941 — Regular passenger service launches on the Flåm Railway, granting tourists access to unique landscapes.
1944 — Electrification of the Flåm Line is completed, allowing for the use of more powerful locomotives on the steep inclines.
1964 — Electrification of the main Bergen Line section passing through Myrdal is finished.
1998 — Marketing management of the Flåm Railway is transferred to a private company, leading to a sharp increase in tourist traffic through the station.
2000s — Myrdal is firmly established as a key transfer hub for the world-famous "Norway in a Nutshell" tour.
Milestones
Stages of Growth and Transformation
The history of Myrdal is a chronicle of a remote mountain plateau transforming into one of Norway's busiest tourist hubs. Key milestones are linked to engineering achievements and shifts in the purpose of its transport infrastructure.
Construction of the Bergen Line (Early 20th Century) Creating a station at an altitude of 867 meters was an engineering feat. For the region, this meant the emergence of a permanent settlement in the highlands, where previously only seasonal pastures existed. Myrdal became a vital link connecting Eastern and Western Norway.
Opening of the Flåm Railway (1940–1941) The launch of the branch line to the Sognefjord turned Myrdal from a transit station into a junction. This event laid the foundation for its future tourist popularity, providing unique access to the fjords directly from the mountain plateau.
Total Electrification (1940s – 1960s) The transition from steam to electric power, completed first on the Flåm branch and later on the main line, was of immense economic importance. It increased the reliability of communication in harsh winter conditions and boosted the hub's capacity.
Revitalization of Rallarvegen (1974) The old construction road ("The Navvies' Road"), used during the laying of the tracks, was officially opened as a cycling route. This event had significant cultural and economic weight: Myrdal became more than just a transfer station; it became the starting point for thousands of cycling tourists during the summer season.
Launch of "Norway in a Nutshell" Tours (1990s) The station's integration into this world-famous route finalized Myrdal's modern status. The local economy shifted entirely toward serving tourist traffic, leading to the modernization of passenger infrastructure and services.
Architecture
Architectural Style and Design Features
Myrdal is not a typical town with a historic center and residential neighborhoods, but a unique high-mountain outpost whose architecture is entirely dictated by its function as a transport hub. Urban development here was determined not by architectural whims, but by the harsh landscape and engineering necessity.
Development Specifics: Engineering Pragmatism
Myrdal’s layout follows a linear pattern along the railway tracks. There are no streets in the traditional sense; instead, platforms and service roads serve that purpose. The building complex can be divided into two types: passenger service facilities and technical structures designed to protect against snow and wind.
Architectural Styles and Eras
Since Myrdal’s history only began in the 20th century, it lacks ancient styles like Gothic or Baroque. The look of the area is shaped by two main directions:
National Romanticism and Swiss Style (1900s–1920s) Characteristic of the station's first buildings. During the construction of the Bergen Line, Norwegian architects (notably Paul Due) often turned to wooden architecture, adapting the European "Swiss style" (Sveitserstil) to the harsh Norwegian conditions.
Features: Wooden facades painted in traditional colors (yellow, red), steep pitched roofs for snow shedding, and decorative carving on cornices and window frames.
Engineering Functionalism (Mid-20th Century – Present) With technological advances and the need for track protection, massive concrete and steel structures appeared.
Features: Minimalist forms, absence of decor, and the use of rough stone and concrete. These are primarily avalanche galleries and technical hangars, which create a stark, industrial contrast to the cozy wooden houses.
Iconic Structures
Although Myrdal is small, several objects define its recognizable visual identity:
Myrdal Station Building — The heart of the settlement. A two-story wooden building on a stone foundation, painted in a warm ochre color. It embodies comfort and reliability, serving as a sanctuary for travelers in the middle of a mountain plateau.
Vatnahalsen Hotel — Located just below the station, this is an integral part of the area's architectural ensemble. Built in the late 19th century (originally as a sanatorium), it is a classic example of a Norwegian mountain hotel: its red wooden facade and white window frames stand out brightly against the snow or greenery.
The Navvies' Cathedral (Rallar-katedralen) — This name is sometimes given not to a building, but to the monumental stone retaining walls and tunnel portals along the old Rallarvegen road, which impress with their hand-laid stonework completed over a century ago.
Notable People
Engineers, Visionaries, and Architects
As Myrdal is a specialized railway junction rather than a traditional town, the list of associated figures consists primarily of prominent engineers, architects, and public figures who made the creation of a station in such harsh conditions possible.
Fridtjof Nansen Polar explorer, scientist, and diplomat (1861–1930) While Nansen did not build the station with his own hands, his role was pivotal. It was his successful crossing of Greenland on skis that served as the deciding argument in the debate over the Bergen Line route. Nansen proved that operating tracks in the highlands (across the Hardangervidda plateau and Myrdal) was technically feasible in winter, which predetermined the station's geographical location.
Paul Due Distinguished railway architect (1835–1919) The architect of the original Myrdal station building. Due developed a unique style for Norwegian railways, blending European Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) with national wooden architecture. It was his vision that defined the station's historic architectural look that tourists see today.
Peder Nilsen Chief Engineer and construction manager (1846–1921) He led the work on the most challenging high-mountain section of the Bergen Line. Under his leadership, tracks were laid through the cliffs in the Myrdal area and the Gravhalsen Tunnel was constructed. His engineering solutions allowed for the creation of a station at an altitude of 867 meters.
Ferdinand Bjerke Railway engineer A key figure in the history of the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana). He managed the design and construction of the track descending from Myrdal to the fjord. Bjerke solved the complex challenge of the extreme elevation drop by designing the famous spiral tunnels that begin immediately after Myrdal station.
Historical Figures and Culture
Haakon VII King of Norway (1872–1957) On November 27, 1909, the monarch officially opened the Bergen Line. His arrival at Myrdal station was a landmark event, symbolizing the unification of Eastern and Western Norway. This moment solidified the station's status as a site of national importance.
Adolf Indrebø Politician, Mayor of Oslo (1884–1942) Before his political career, he worked as a simple "rallar" (navvy/laborer) on the construction of the Gravhalsen Tunnel near Myrdal in his youth. His biography is often cited as an example of the social mobility of that era and serves as a reminder of the hard work of the thousands of laborers who built the station.