Nya Lapphyttan & Karlberg

New Lapphyttan & Karlberg

Nya Lapphyttan

Norberg’s mining district is one of the oldest sites for iron ore mining in all of Sweden. Mining activities began here as early as the 12th century. During the medieval period, miners began to realize that iron ore wasn’t only found in bog iron or lake beds, as previously believed. They discovered iron ore that could be mined directly from the rock. Thanks to their acquired knowledge, new techniques, and investments, they developed the blast furnace, which they started building vertically instead of in pits.

Communities began to grow around the mines. Farmers living near a mine joined forces with neighboring farms to produce iron, forming mining or smelting cooperatives.
Initially, the miners only managed to chip away at exposed ore visible under moss. Over time, they discovered that by burning the rock, it became more porous and easier to break apart to extract iron ore.

In the 1970s, researchers disagreed on how the furnaces used for smelting iron ore were constructed. Some believed that the furnaces melted the iron, producing liquid pig iron, which then needed refining before it could be forged. Other researchers argued that medieval miners didn’t melt the iron in their furnaces but instead extracted it as a solid lump of forgeable iron.

So, what was the truth? What technology had they used in the Middle Ages? With no written sources to provide clarity, an archaeological investigation was required. In 1976, an opportunity arose to potentially answer this question. Lapphyttan, located in the parish of Karbenning, had been known previously but not investigated. Norberg Municipality wanted to include an investigation as part of a parish description. The Swedish National Heritage Board quickly joined the effort, along with the County Antiquarian in Västerås and eventually Jernkontoret.

Over three years, archaeological investigations of Lapphyttan were conducted, with many specialists in ores, slags, blast furnace technology, smelting ceramics, geology, and paleobotany involved. Finally, everything became clear. The site where medieval miners produced their iron was a water-powered blast furnace that produced liquid pig iron, with slag similar in appearance and chemical composition to modern blast furnace slag. This confirmed that the camp supporting the blast furnace theory was correct. The ore for the iron came from Bondgruvan or the ore field where Bondgruvan is located. Thus, the blast furnace was invented much earlier than previously believed!

The original Lapphyttan is located deep in the forest. To give everyone the chance to experience Sweden’s oldest smelting site, a reconstruction has been built in Norberg itself, called Nya Lapphyttan (New Lapphyttan). Here, visitors can get an impression of what Lapphyttan was like during its operational period. In fact, it’s the world’s only reconstructed medieval blast furnace that has been operated to produce pig iron in modern times.

Karlbergs hembygdsgård (Karlbergs local heritage center)

Of the approximately 20 buildings at the local heritage center, all except the manor house and the Clerk’s House were moved here from other parts of the municipality. There is a saddlery and cobbler’s workshop, a carriage shed, and an miner’s farmstead. One building contains a bakehouse and a blacksmith’s forge. You can see a courtroom featuring an exhibition of items from various criminal cases, as well as an miner’s cottage and a poorhouse.

In the general store, you can see what a shop looked like during the first half of the 20th century, and upstairs there is a radio museum. Overall, the heritage center houses many fine collections spread across the different buildings.

The miner’s farmstead standing here was moved to the site in the early 1940s. It was built after the great fire that struck Norberg in 1727 and is the only remaining building from that time preserved in its original condition. Mine-owners were often prosperous and could afford stately residences like this one. In the poorhouse, we see how parish residents without their own homes were accommodated as late as the early 20th century.

Myrberg’s workshop was built between 1910 and 1912, and from there Model T Fords, bicycles, motorcycles, and everything associated with a workshop were sold. Today, the Myrberg Rally is organized annually, when hundreds of vintage cars drive out into the county, creating a festive atmosphere as people line the roads to watch.

All buildings at the heritage center have signs with text and QR codes providing information about each specific house.

Föreningen Järnet på Lapphyttan (Swedish only)
Myrbergs Verkstadssällskap (Swedish only)
Karlbergs hembygdsgård (Swedish only)

Photo: Top + small pictures 2 & 4 : Fredrik Findahl