Siljansfors Skogsmuseum

About the museum

Siljansfors Skogsmuseum lies by the ruins of the Siljansfors ironworks (järnbruk), which operated from 1738 to 1876 and was Mora's first industry. The site was chosen for its good supply of forest and water power, and the works received its privilege from the Bergskollegium (Board of Mines) in 1738. The blast furnace was commissioned in 1740 and rebuilt in 1830. Of the works there remain, among other things, the blast furnace, a smithy, remains of a Bessemer works from 1861, works housing and dam and canal installations.

The museum is built in the ironworks environment as an open-air museum. Various forestry installations have been set up here in their natural setting, for example an eldpallkoja (a hut with a fire pallet) used by forest workers until 1923, a gapskjul (open-fronted shed), a charcoal kiln, a kolarkoja (charcoal burner's hut), a tar kiln, forestry lodgings from the 1940s and 1950s, and rest wagons from the 1960s and 1970s. Two exhibition halls show the development of forestry over the last hundred years, from forest assessment and timber measurement to felling, terrain transport, planting and log-floating.

In the gathering hall Milan there are slideshows about the works and the museum, and a model of the ironworks as it was in the mid-1800s. Several marked trails start from the museum, and on the other side of the road there is an arboretum, laid out in 1994, with about seventy tree species. The museum is run by Stiftelsen Siljansfors Skogsmuseum (Siljansfors Forestry Museum Foundation) and has documented its 50-year history in a jubilee publication.

Highlights

• Blast furnace and remains of the Siljansfors ironworks, 1738–1876
• Eldpallkoja, charcoal kiln, tar kiln and other forest huts in their natural setting
• Two exhibition halls on the development of forestry
• Trails: Järnbruksstigen, Röda stigen, Gula stigen and Knattestigen
• Arboretum with about seventy tree species

Permanent exhibitions

• Skogsbrukets utveckling – Two exhibition halls show the forestry work methods of the last hundred years, from forest assessment and felling to planting and log-floating.
• Skogsanläggningar i friluft – The eldpallkoja, charcoal kiln, tar kiln, forestry lodgings and rest wagons show forest workers' living and working conditions from the 1700s to the 1970s.
• Siljansfors järnbruk – The blast furnace, smithy and remains of the Bessemer works, works housing and dams tell the story of the ironworks 1738–1876; in Milan there is a model of the works.

Operated by

Stiftelsen Siljansfors Skogsmuseum

Admission & discounts

The adult price applies from age 18. Children under 12 have free admission.

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 Milan gathering hall is accessible. The museum has not published other accessibility information.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

Playground by the museum. The Knattestigen (1,100 metres) suits children from preschool age, and every child receives a bingo card and a medal.

Getting there & parking

Siljansfors lies along road 26/45 between Mora and Vansbro/Malung, 18 km south-west of Mora.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Restaurant and café in the entrance building, which is built of slag blocks from the works. Food and coffee are served during the season.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 90 guests.

The Milan gathering hall by the museum entrance is rented out for conferences, meetings and parties. It seats 90 people and is accessible.

Plan your visit