Porsgrunn's identity is inseparable from porcelain. Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik has been firing porcelain here since 1887, and it remains Norway's only porcelain factory. The hand-painted blue-and-white Stråmønster pattern, in continuous production since the factory opened, is one of the most recognisable designs in Norwegian households. The adjacent Porselensmuseet traces the full history through over 1,000 objects.
Beyond porcelain, Porsgrunn is a working industrial town at the head of the Frierfjorden, historically important for timber export and shipbuilding. It is also the starting point of the Telemarkskanalen, which connects the coast to the mountains of inner Telemark.
Beyond porcelain, Porsgrunn is a working industrial town at the head of the Frierfjorden, historically important for timber export and shipbuilding. It is also the starting point of the Telemarkskanalen, which connects the coast to the mountains of inner Telemark.