Rademachersmedjorna

About the museum

Rademachersmedjorna is one of Sweden’s best-preserved 17th-century settings and contains Eskilstuna’s oldest buildings. The first forges were completed in 1659 and were part of the Carl Gustafs Stads järnmanufaktur (Carl Gustaf’s Town Ironworks Manufactory), founded and named after King Charles X Gustav. The state manufactory held a monopoly on many forged products, among them scissors, awls, knives, locks, gun barrels and fittings. Its first manager was Reinhold Rademacher, whom the king had invited from Livonia. The plan was 120 forges, but after the king’s death in 1660 the funding diminished and only 20 were built.

In the early 1700s the manufactory passed into private ownership, and in 1771 the area became part of Eskilstuna Fristad (Eskilstuna Free Town), where smiths were allowed to run businesses without guild restrictions and customs duties. In the later part of the 1800s the forges were used as premises for some of the growing industries of the town. Of the original 20 forges, six remain.

Eskilstuna’s first museum opened in 1906 in one of the forges, and in 1959, as part of the town’s 300th anniversary, the remaining forges were prepared as a cultural reserve. Today there are small craft businesses there, outdoor exhibitions that are open round the clock, a museum forge and a toy forge (Leksmedjan), as well as a restaurant and café.

Highlights

• Six preserved forges from the first forging manufactory of the 1600s
• Outdoor exhibitions open round the clock, all year
• Museum forge and the toy forge Leksmedjan Smetuna during the summer season
• Active craftspeople and markets three times a year
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Utomhusutställningar och museismedjan – Several outdoor exhibitions, open round the clock, as well as the museum forge and the toy forge Leksmedjan Smetuna, which are open during the summer season and at events.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Eskilstuna stadsmuseum (Eskilstuna kommun)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission, including to the museum forge and the toy forge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The area has rolled gravel. There is a ramp to Stora Fristadshuset, but in the other buildings access is limited and several have high thresholds. At the museum forge portable ramps are put out when the forge is open. An accessible toilet is available but is only unlocked at markets and events and during the museum forge’s opening hours. Assistance and service dogs are welcome in all buildings.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

The toy forge Leksmedjan Smetuna is open during the summer season and at markets and events.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The restaurant Jernberghska and the craftspeople’s shops are on the site. Packed lunches may be eaten outdoors at benches and picnic tables.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Premises on the site, including the Rademacherscenen (Rademacher stage), can be rented.

Plan your visit