Älgå spiksmedja
Well-preserved nail smithy from the 19th century by the Älgån river, with water wheel, hammers and bellows, looked after by Älgå local heritage society.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Älgå nail smithy was built in the mid-19th century to replace an older smithy that had been destroyed by fire. Here nails were made by hand, using water power from the Älgån river. When cheaper machine-made nails came onto the market, the smithy could no longer compete, and operations were closed in 1879.
Three large water wheels once drove three nail hammers, a räckhammare and a bellows. The hammers and bellows remain in their original condition, while the water wheels and the water channel were added during a later restoration. The nail smithy is counted among the best preserved of its kind in the Nordic countries and gives a clear picture of how the work was done.
The smithy lies near Älgå church and Älgå homestead museum and is looked after by Älgå local heritage society. The homestead museum has a summer café and craft sales, and the society also runs a local museum with objects from the era of self-sufficient households.
Highlights
- Three water wheels that drove nail hammers, a räckhammare and a bellows
- Hammers and bellows in their original condition
- One of the few surviving nail smithies in the Nordic countries
- Close to the homestead museum, local museum and summer café
- Operated by
- Älgå hembygdsförening
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
No information on accessibility is available.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
Signposted in Älgå. The smithy lies by the Älgån river near Älgå church and the homestead museum, about two mil (Swedish unit of distance) from Arvika.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Summer café at Älgå homestead museum just below the church, with craft sales.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Viewings outside the season take place by arrangement by telephone. |
