In Nordmarkshyttan, traces of mining meet a wetland landscape and cycling routes. Particularly distinctive is the combination of ore processing, technical relics and settlement: unusually many mining relics, facilities and buildings associated with the industry have been preserved around Nordmarks kyrka. The history of the place can therefore be understood not only through individual buildings, but also through their connection to working and settlement life.
Mining history and Nordmarks kyrka
Nordmarkshyttan was one of two smelting works established as early as the Middle Ages, where ore was processed into pig iron; the other was Haborshyttan. Operations in Nordmarkshyttan continued until 1905. The Nordmark-Taberg area is designated as a cultural environment of national cultural-historical interest under the designation K 12.
Another historical landmark is Nordmarks kyrka, which was inaugurated in 1731. The Nordmarks Gruv- och Mineralmuseum is located nearby. It comprises twelve buildings on a 10,000 m² site. The church, museum and preserved traces of mining thus represent different aspects of the area’s history: sacred architecture, a collection housed in several buildings, and the structural remains of the industry.
Technical relics on site
Among the historic facilities is the water-powered Djurhagsspelet. It remained in operation until the 1910s and was used to extract rock from Kogruvan. At Gubbortsschakt, the current headframe took on its appearance around 1930. A diesel locomotive made by Insel has also been preserved at Gubbortslaven. Together, these examples show different technical relics from the mining area, from rock extraction to preserved facilities and vehicles.
Wetland landscape and cycling routes
Nordmarksmyrarna offers a different perspective. The area is a complex of mires, swamp forests and various fen and wetland types. The Nordmarksälven flows through the northern part of the nature reserve; sport fishing is possible in the river. Nature and mining history thus offer different points of focus: one draws attention to wetlands and the river, the other to the industrial past around Nordmarkshyttan.
Cycling is also a concrete part of the area’s and region’s appeal. The 29-kilometre Cykelbanan Filipstad–Motjärnshyttan runs along the former railway embankment of the NKLJ, NordmarkKlarälvens Järnvägar, and is suitable for the whole family. In addition, a municipal cycling-path project prepared the old NKLJ/ÖWJ railway embankment from Abborrtjärn in Filipstad to Nordmarks railway station for walking and cycling.
A simple comparison can help you choose the focus of your trip: those primarily interested in mining history will find several different themes in the relics, technical facilities and museum. Those who prefer nature and activity can explore the mires, river and cycling routes. Nordmarkshyttan brings these perspectives together, though they tell different stories about the place.
Discover more destinations: Filipstad, Lesjöfors, Brattfors, Persberg, Nykroppa, Gåsborn.
Return to the main travel overview: Filipstad.
