Skottvångs gruva

About the museum

Skottvångs gruva (Skottvång Mine) is a former iron ore mine in the Åker mining district (bergslag) between Mariefred and Gnesta. Mining is documented from around 1500, and the mine supplied ore to Åkers styckebruk (the Åker ironworks), towards the end via its own narrow-gauge railway. The oldest and deepest part, Porthålsgruvan (Porthål Mine), was once among Sweden’s deepest mines. The mine was closed in 1921, and most of the mine holes are now water-filled.

The area is now a cultural-historical visitor site with an inn, a forge and a mine shelter (gruvlave). Östra Sörmlands Gruvförening (East Södermanland Mining Association), formed in 1981, looks after the mining history and runs the mine museum, the forge, a charcoal kiln that is lit every summer and the craft market Gruvans dag (Mine Day). The Sörmlandsleden (Sörmland Trail) passes the area.

The mine museum lies next to the inn and shows the miners’ tools, maps and pictures, as well as objects from life in the forest districts, charcoal burning and iron production. Visitors meet old miners in pictures, text and sound, and on the site there are signs and recorded stories, in which the mine guide Bengt Landin tells about people and events in Skottvång.

Highlights

• Mine museum with miners’ tools, maps and pictures
• Recorded stories from Skottvång at signs and via QR codes
• Porthål Mine and the mine shelter (gruvlave) over Trean’s shaft
• Forge and charcoal kiln lit every summer
• The Sörmlandsleden passes the area

Permanent exhibition

• Gruvmuseet – Museum next to the inn with objects and pictures from mining and charcoal burning, the everyday life of the miners and stories in audio form.

Operated by

Östra Sörmlands Gruvförening

Admission & discounts

Admission to the mine museum is SEK 20 according to Gnesta Municipality; the money goes to the operation. The area with signs and recorded stories is freely accessible.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The mine lies between Mariefred and Gnesta; from the E20 take the exit towards Åkers Styckebruk and then follow the signs for about 5 km to the mine. The Sörmlandsleden passes the area.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Inn and café by the mine; crafts are sold in the Smedjan’s trading house. Skottvångskol (Skottvång charcoal) is sold in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit