Hammarsmedjan i Orrefors

About the museum

Orrefors järnbruk (Orrefors ironworks) was founded in 1726 by Lars Johan Silfversparre and was one of about 70 ironworks in Småland. The works was located here thanks to access to lake and bog ore, water power and forest for charcoal. The iron was refined and processed in several stages into bar iron, which was exported from Kalmar. The works was taken out of operation in 1914, when English iron production had outcompeted the Swedish.

By then the works already had another source of income: the forest. A sawmill was built next to the forge in 1875, and the waste wood from the sawmill was a prerequisite when the later world-famous glassworks was started in 1898.

The hammer forge was reopened as a living museum on 28 June 2014, exactly one hundred years after the hammer’s last stroke. The non-profit association Järngänget spent five years and 5,000 hours recreating a working water wheel, blowing machine and smelting hammer. The water channel was built by local contractors with support from LEADER funding, and the association still meets every Tuesday to maintain the machines. During the visits, visitors can hear the song of the water wheels, the thudding of the hammer and the puffing of the blowing machine, and smell the charcoal and tar.

Highlights

• Working water wheel, blowing machine and smelting hammer
• Demonstration with the smith’s wife (smedhustrun) while Järngänget runs the machines
• The smith Manfred often demonstrates forging during opening hours
• Red wooden building with a water channel in the works area

Permanent exhibition

• Levande hammarsmedja – Demonstration of the restored hammer forge with water wheel, blowing machine and smelting hammer in operation.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Järngänget (ideell förening)

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

Those who find walking difficult can drive into the works area and park behind the Per Ekström-museet. The entrance is at the front of the building, across the bridge.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Follow Flygsforsvägen into Orrefors and take the third turning on the left towards the works area. The forge is a red wooden building with a water channel along its side.

Amenities & dining

Coffee and cake (fika) can be arranged for groups on request.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit