Lienshyttan Blast Furnace

Throughout the hundreds of years of iron processing in Bergslagen, people continually discovered new and improved ways to produce iron. As time went on, the demand for iron grew steadily. By the 20th century, ironworks had evolved into large-scale industries and steelworks.
One of the last blast furnaces to be fueled by charcoal and remain in operation well into the 20th century was Lienshyttan.
 

Iron production at Lienshyttan has a long history, dating back to the 1500s. In the 1600s, the furnace was modernized, and two finery forges were installed. At that time, it became fashionable to produce thinner iron bars instead of traditional bar iron. These thinner bars, called “bundle iron,” were approximately 5 meters long and only 1.5 cm square. Since they were smaller than bar iron, they were sold in bundles of nine bars each.
Bundle iron was used by blacksmiths to create horseshoes, knives, nails, and other smaller iron items. Small farm forges often purchased bundle iron.
 

Over time, iron became indispensable to everyone. By the 19th century, iron production in Riddarhyttan reached its peak productivity. A larger blast furnace was needed, and in 1894, a brick furnace with a towering 26-meter-high chimney was constructed on the site of the previous furnace. The new, larger furnace also required a more powerful blower to inject more oxygen into the fire, increasing its intensity.
 

The ore was transported to the furnace chimney using an ore cart, a specialized wagon that ran on rails. When the ore cart reached the top of the chimney, where the opening for the ore or charcoal was located, it tipped its load into the furnace and then descended to be refilled.
Once the iron was ready, it was loaded directly from the blast furnace onto railway cars for transport to Köping. In 1879, the narrow-gauge railway between Lienshyttan/Riddarhyttan and Uttersberg was completed and connected to the railway between Uttersberg and Köping. This allowed Riddarhyttan to reach the global market via railway and boat transport on Lake Mälaren.

The ore smelted in the furnace was not pure iron ore; it often contained a significant amount of waste rock mixed in. The non-iron portion, called slag, melted first. Slag was beautifully turquoise blue or green. At Lienshyttan, visitors can see the enormous slag heap, which is protected as a cultural heritage site. You can even walk on the heap and admire the striking slag pieces up close.
 

Lienshyttan remained in operation until 1959. Eight years later, the railway was also closed following the shutdown of the Källfalls Mine. Today, you can still follow the old railway embankment on foot or by bicycle. The locomotive shed in Riddarhyttan has been beautifully restored and is open for visits.
 

Facts
Magnificent blast furnace rebuilt in 1894 and operational until 1959. A protected slag heap next to the furnace chimney remains intact and is open for visits.
During July, the Riddarhyttan Heritage and Interest Association organizes regular tours.
Phone: +46 70-2375809
Email: kallenordebring@telia.com