Ekomuseum Bergslagen
Ekomuseum Bergslagen is a network of nearly 70 different places to visit, all themed around industrial history. The area spans about 100 kilometers x 100 kilometers, from Grangärde Finnmark in Dalarna to Mälardalen in Västmanland. Most sites are authentic and located in the same places in the landscape as when they were originally in use. Today, these places tell the stories of life and work, technology, and mining in Bergslagen in the past.
This concept defines an Ecomuseum. The word “eco” derives from the Greek word oikos, meaning household or wholeness.
In Ekomuseum Bergslagen, you can experience both large and small historical environments, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Engelsberg Ironworks to Strömsholm Castle. You can choose to join guided tours or explore independently, such as on the hiking trails in Finnmarken. Here, you’ll also find ironworks sites and visitor mines, heritage centers and museums, miner’s farms, smithies, and the manors of ironworks owners offering food and lodging, and much more.
Ekomuseum Bergslagen’s extensive network includes non-profit organizations and private entrepreneurs who both own and operate many of the attractions.
Ekomuseum Bergslagen was founded in 1986, to illuminate Bergslagen’s history through collaboration and developing a network of attractive visitor sites.
The founders are the municipalities of Ludvika and Smedjebacken in Dalarna; Fagersta, Norberg, Skinnskatteberg, Surahammar, and Hallstahammar in Västmanland; as well as the regional museums in Dalarna and Västmanland.
The foundation’s operations manager since January 2019 is Malin Andersson.
Email: malin@ekomuseum.se
Here is a 5.55-minute film _ in Swedish only – that explains what Ekomuseum Bergslagen is, for those who are part of the network and want to tell visitors or decision-makers about “Sweden’s largest museum”:
A subtitled version of the informational video is available here >