Munningen med tettstedet fremstilt av JW Edy omkring 1800
No. LXXI. DRAMEN. The towns of Bragernaes and Stromsoe, and the suburb of Tangen, are generally known by the more familiar name of Dram, or Dramen. Their site is in a beautiful valley on the banks of the navigable river Dram, which arises at the foot of the Tillefield mountains. After wandering through a vast country receiving many streams, and passing over cataracts, and through several lakes, it divides these towns, in its way to the Fiord, and onward to the sea. This view was taken below the town of Bragernaes, near the highroad leading to Christiania, looking between the hills up the vale towards Eger and Kongsberg, On the right hand side of the print, are seen the town and church of Bragernaes. The bridge over the river Dram, connects it with Stromsoe, whose large church is more elevated, and is situated in the centre of an extensive church yard enclosed by a wall. At the west end of this town a small bridge connects the suburb called Tangen, having its church, and being traversed by the road to Konsberg. These towns contain many good houses, inhabited by wealthy merchants, and prosperous traders. The population is considerable, and an extensive trade is carried on in timber, iron, copper, cobalt, Prussian blue from Fossum, skins, &c. &c. The deal trade alone employs annually on an average 150 ships which are supplied with cargoes from 44 saw-mills at Eger. Travellers pass through on their way to the west, or to the silver-mines at Konsberg, and the post returns from thence over this bridge monthly, laden with the specie dollars, coined there for Copenhagen. Immediately from the foreground on the right, is an ascent to the famous Paradise mountain; the road to Christiania winds over its lofty summit. A little way up this mountain the towns and adjacent country are seen to great advantage, as shewn in the print; and the fertilized vale, with its golden corn and silver stream, awakes the traveller's recollection to favourite scenes in warmer climates, and he readily admits that this mountain deserves the name of Paradise hill, given to it by the Norwegians. The view from its summit is too vast and extensive to create any other emotion than astonishment. Near the top are the famous marble quarries, a small village, and an inn. Here also resides a farrier ; a useful man on this difficult road. The water at Dramen is so deep that ships can arrive in full sail at the bridge, above which the river is navigable for boats only. There are on it several small, pleasant, and inhabited islands, with houses, trees, and gardens on them. The churches and houses are generally good and spacious, but the streets are narrow. The dwellings nearest the mountains have decorated gardens. In the environs are many villas and country seats. The country around Dram is extremely pleasing to the view, but it is dangerously infested with wolves, foxes, and bears. The dogs wear spiked collars. Among their domestic animals the people here have a remarkable species of tame blue cat. Through the stream that waters these towns the salmon proceed to the famous cataract and leap above, where the fishermen have been known to catch 1200 annually. Horses are numerous here, and of a good figure and condition, owing to the great quantities of pasture land in the valley. The place is salubrious, and provisions including many foreign luxuries, are abundant and reasonable.