Bennebols bruk

About the museum

Bennebols bruk was established at the end of the 1600s. Riksamiral Gustaf Otto Stenbock, who owned Hargs bruk, bought Bennebol in 1676 and had a blast furnace built of masonry, which was brought into use in 1683. The location was favourable thanks to untouched forest, the fall of the Rörsjöån river and good water routes. Pig iron was produced only during the three to four months that the spring flood lasted, and the ore came by sledge from Dannemora. In summer the iron was taken to Vällnoren and transported on by boat to Harg.

The blast furnace that still stands was built in the 1850s, when the works also acquired most of its present outbuildings and residential houses. The works then supported a good three hundred people: woodcutters, charcoal burners, works labourers, furnace masters, bookkeepers, women and children. Iron production was closed down in 1884–1885, and afterwards people lived to a great extent from the forest.

Today Bennebols bruk is a cultural environment of national interest. The blast furnace, the roasting furnace, the small forge and a workers' dwelling from the 1700s have been restored with funds from the Riksantikvarieämbetet (Swedish National Heritage Board). According to the works, the blast furnace is the only one surviving in Uppland. In the storehouse an exhibition shows a richly detailed model of the works as it looked up to 1885. The works belongs to the association Vallonbruk i Uppland (Walloon Ironworks in Uppland), and the Upplandsleden trail passes through the area.

Highlights

• Uppland's only surviving blast furnace and a roasting furnace from 1877
• The exhibition Pähr Persson, Masmästare (Master of the Furnace) in the storehouse
• True-to-scale models of the works and the blast furnace process
• Cultural environment of national interest with works street and dwellings
• The Upplandsleden trail passes through the works environment

Permanent exhibition

• Pähr Persson, Masmästare – The exhibition in the storehouse shows, with true-to-scale and often cut-away models, how the works looked up to 1885 and how the iron production went on, as well as how life at the Uppland works was.

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

The exhibition is located in the storehouse up the slope.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Bennebols bruk lies about 10 km from Knutby. From Knutby take Bladåkersvägen (road 675) towards Gimo, drive about 4 km to a signposted turning, then follow the forest road past Vällnora bruk for about 2 km to Bennebol. From Hallstaviksvägen the turning is signposted about 5 km after the junction towards Knutby.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.