Svarta Bergens arbetslivsmuseum

About the museum

Svarta Bergen lies at the disused quarry in Hägghult outside Lönsboda, where extraction of black diabase began in 1899 and continued for almost the whole of the 20th century. According to the museum, stone extraction is shown from 1899 to 1989, and over three million cubic metres of rejected stone remain in the landscape as waste-rock tips. Next to it is an active quarry. To carry the stone away, a narrow-gauge railway was built from Lönsboda to Hägghult, colloquially known as Grisabanan (the Pig Railway).

The association Svarta Bergen was founded in 1994 with the aim of preserving and restoring the disused quarry, and the working-life museum was opened the same year. The museum shows how stone extraction was carried out, and visitors can, among other things, try sitting in a crane cab and attempt to lift a drilling machine. The exhibition is designed to be handled.

On the waste-rock tips there is also a sculpture park. The first works were erected in 1974 during the Ubbebodasymposiet (Ubbebo Symposium), and since then more have been added, including Christer Bordings stone figures. The old quarry is today water-filled and can be experienced from a raft with an electric motor. The site has a restaurant, a shop and guided tours.

Highlights

• Stone extraction from 1899 to 1989, with objects to try
• Sculpture park with works in diabase
• Raft trip in the water-filled quarry
• Guided tours all year round
• Restaurant and shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Arbetslivsmuseet – stenbrytningen 1899–1989 – The museum shows how the diabase was quarried in Hägghult, with machines and objects to try, including a crane cab and a drilling machine.
• Skulpturparken – Works in diabase on the waste-rock tips; the first were erected in 1974, and several can be interacted with.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Föreningen Svarta Bergen

Admission & discounts

Admission to the museum area costs SEK 60; the restaurant, shop and garden can be visited free of charge. Membership of the association costs SEK 150 per year for one person and SEK 200 for a family, and gives free admission for one season. Prices for guided tours and raft trips are given by telephone.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 area is described as accessible for both pedestrians and wheelchair users; over 60% of the museum can be reached via gravel paths. An accessible toilet is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Described as a day-trip destination for families and school classes; the objects in the museum are designed to be handled, including the crane cab and drilling machine.

Getting there & parking

Follow the signs towards Svarta Bergen from road 15 between Lönsboda and Osby. Digital maps often choose the wrong route. The neighbour is an active quarry, so watch out for construction machinery. The postal address Tranebodavägen 1 is not the visiting address.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Refreshments with fika, food and drink; you may eat your own food inside the museum. The shop and garden can be visited without admission. The refreshment service closes 30 minutes before the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit