Norbergs Gruvmuseum

About the museum

Norbergs Gruvmuseum is located in Kärrgruvan just outside the centre of Norberg and tells the story of mining and iron working in the district, which spans a millennium. The museum is housed in Risbergs konstschakt (pump shaft), a building of slag brick and red-painted wood, erected in 1876 over a 114-metre-deep shaft. The task of the pump shaft was to pump water out of the surrounding mines, with power from a water wheel that drove the pumps via a rod transmission (stånggång). How the rod transmission worked can be seen at Polhemshjulet a few kilometres away.

The mines in the area are among the oldest in Norberg and are mentioned in documents as early as 1440. Carl von Linné visited Mossgruvan on 13 January 1734 during his Bergslagen journey. Behind the museum lies Mossgruveparken, an abandoned mining field with deep, water-filled open pits where iron ore was mined from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century. A signposted walking path leads through the park.

The museum has a cage lift driven by a rope winch (linspel) for passenger transport, a dining room, a small foreman's office and a forge with the tools of the drill smith and an old wooden pump that is still in use. Photographs, models and objects depict the history of mining and the pump system. The museum and the whole mining environment in Kärrgruvan are part of Ekomuseum Bergslagen.

Highlights

• Risbergs konstschakt from 1876
• Opportunity to look down the shaft
• Forge with a wooden pump that is still in use
• Rope-driven cage lift
• Mossgruveparken with a signposted walking path
• Audio guides in Norberg's audio museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Gruvmuseet i Risbergs konstschakt – Cage lift, foreman's office, forge and pump system, plus photographs, models and objects on the history of mining.
• Mossgruveparken – Signposted walking path between water-filled open pits and mines on the ridge behind the museum.

Operated by

Norbergs kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to Norbergs Gruvmuseum.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

From Norberg's centre follow the arrows towards road 68/69 towards Avesta, drive on road 68 for 1.5 km and turn left towards Kärrgruvan at the sign Kärrgruvan/Gruvmuseum/Folkets Park. After about 750 metres the museum is on the right-hand side.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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