Museet på Karlsfors

About the museum

The museum at Karlsfors tells the story of an industrialisation era on Billingen and in Falbygden. In the first half of the 19th century Karlsfors was Skaraborg’s largest alum works. When the alum works closed it was replaced by lime burning, and around the industry a small works community grew up. Today Karlsfors farm and the old workers’ rows remain, and at Silverfallet traces of the quarrying of alum shale and limestone can be seen, including rödfyrhögar (heaps of rödfyr) and lime kilns.

The museum is run by a non-profit association formed in December 2022. The association wants to develop a living museum activity and create a meeting place for conversation about nature and cultural heritage in Skaraborg. Residents of the district have donated industrial objects and pictures that are shown in the exhibition, and visitors can handle tools and stones. The exhibition is shown together with Lager av historia (Layers of History) from the Platåbergens Unesco Global Geopark.

Outside the museum visitors can walk in the area around Silverfallet, where there are remains of a mill, dams, a bridge, lime kilns and foundations of buildings. The museum arranges guided visits in the nature reserve and at the farm, as well as activities such as music walks and Bränningsdagarna (Burning Days), with lime burning and a fiddlers’ gathering (spelmansstämma). The museum is part of the NAV network for industrial history and working-life museums in western Sweden.

Highlights

• Exhibition on the alum and lime industry on Billingen
• Silverfallet, a waterfall of about 60 m with traces of alum and lime quarrying
• Lime kilns and rödfyrhögar in the area
• Guided walks on Saturdays in summer
• Bränningsdagarna with lime burning and a fiddlers’ gathering
• The exhibition Lager av historia from the Platåberg Geopark

Permanent exhibition

• Lager av historia – Exhibition from the Platåbergens Unesco Global Geopark on the geology and history of the plateau-mountain landscape and on the alum and lime industry at Karlsfors.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Museet på Karlsfors (ideell förening)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum. A guided tour costs SEK 50 per person and is paid by Swish when booking or in cash on site; the fee is not refunded on cancellation. Voluntary contributions to the association are appreciated.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 museum is adapted for wheelchair users and an accessible toilet is available. The walk at Silverfallet is over hilly terrain with steep stairs; the museum can offer a slower pace and less demanding stretches.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Parking is available next to the museum. There are also motorhome and caravan pitches near Silverfallet. The museum is at Karlsfors farm near Silverfallet.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café at Klostret with locally produced food, open Wednesday–Friday 11:00–17:00 and Saturday–Sunday 11:00–16:00. Shop at the farm.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Logen på Karlsfors, a rustic venue by Silverfallet, is rented out for weddings, parties and other events.

Plan your visit