Skien, town, southern Norway, on the Skienselva (river). Originally the site of a monastery, the town, founded in 1110, is one of the oldest in Norway. An industrial centre and port, Skien’s lumber and mining concerns began the development of the area in the mid-1600s. The ore has been exhausted, but the town has important foundries and a thriving lumber and pulp trade. The Bandak Canal (also known as the Telemark Canal) is Norway’s longest; completed in 1892, it runs 65 miles (105 km) between Skien and Dalen in western Telemark. The Regional Museum of Telemark and Grenland is also located there. Skien was the birthplace of the playwright Henrik Ibsen. Pop. (2007 est.) mun., 50,696.