Lövstabruk brings together the history of ironworking, a clearly defined village layout, historic architecture and various collections. If you would like to focus your trip on culture, buildings and walks, you will find several different themes to explore here. The older name Leufsta bruk is also part of the village’s history. Lövstabruk is one of the better-preserved so-called Vallonbruk, ironworks where ironworking took place from the 16th century until 1926. You can plan your visits around your interests in industrial history, architecture, music or the surrounding landscape.
Ironworking and the historic village layout
Stora gatan is a prominent landmark in Lövsta bruk. The 800-metre-long street runs north to south and forms the main axis. The buildings also reflect different historical details: Lövstabruks Herrgård was built around 1725 and connected to the two side wings in the early 19th century. The church in Lövstabruk was inaugurated in 1726; it is built of brick in the Carolingian Baroque style. The construction and inauguration dates are close together, but mark different stages in the history of local architecture.
The landscape includes a reconstructed Baroque garden, an English park and an orchard surrounding Lövstabruk. The Baroque garden was reconstructed by Walter Bauer in 1970–1971, based on drawings by A. F. Barnekow from 1769. The garden’s history can therefore be traced across several points in time: the 18th-century drawings and the later reconstruction.
Collections, museums and music
The Nationalmuseum collection in Lövstabruk comprises around 60 objects, most of them from the 17th and 18th centuries. The items on display may change. Klaverens Hus has a large collection of keyboard instruments, including around 350 pianos. Each collection offers a different perspective on cultural history: art objects from earlier centuries in one, and keyboard instruments and pianos in the other.
Music is also a recurring part of the cultural programme. The Leufsta- och Cahmanorgelns vänner association holds the annual Cahmandagarna, featuring music performed on the Cahman organ. Check the dates before your trip. If you are particularly interested in historic domestic life, Smedsbostaden is a living museum showing how a blacksmith’s family lived and made their home. It operates seasonally, and you may need to contact the museum in advance.
Lövstabruks Herrgård is open as a public museum with a day pass; visiting arrangements vary by season. Check the current opening times if you are planning a museum visit. If you are especially interested in the organ, historic living conditions or the collections, you can include each of these in your itinerary according to your priorities, rather than giving every theme equal weight.
Walks, swimming area and getting there
The historic ironworks area, the park and the surroundings of Lövstabruk are open year-round for independent walks. A swimming area lies just before the south gate. Facilities there include a diving tower, jetties, a changing cabin and a toilet. Facilities and water conditions may change; check the current situation before planning a swim.
Leufstabruk Bryggeri offers bookable beer tastings at the brewery and sells some bottles of beer directly from the brewery. Booking and sales arrangements may change, so check in advance if you are planning a visit. There are good bus connections along Route 76, with onward connections to Forsmark and Gävle. Check current services before travelling. You can then choose historic sights, a walk or a seasonal event based on what matters most to you on your trip.
Discover more destinations: Söderfors, Tierp, Karlholmsbruk, Skärplinge.
Go to the main travel overview: Tierp.
