Flottningsmuseet på Vassholmen

About the museum

Vassholmen is an island in the Kalix River (Kalix älv), centrally in Kalix, where a timber-sorting station (skiljeställe) was established at the end of the 19th century. Timber handling continued until 1979, and log floating in the Kalix River ceased in 1977. The sorting station is the only one in Norrbotten that has buildings and quays left in good condition, which gives the area high cultural-historical value. The island also belongs to one of the county's nature conservation national interests (riksintressen).

Well-preserved buildings and installations from the log-floating era include the office, Kalix's old courthouse (gamla tingshus), which was used as a mess hall, workers' premises from the 1930s, a crew barrack, boathouses, storehouses, a carpentry workshop, an earth cellar, a sauna, a härbre (log storehouse) and a quay. The Flottningsmuseet (Log-Floating Museum) is in the workers' mess hall, the former courthouse, and tells of log floating and timber sorting in the Kalix River. Here too is the island's café, Café Flottaren.

The island is reached via an accessible bridge, which in summer is a pontoon bridge. On Vassholmen cultural events are held in summer, among them Vassholmsdagen (Vassholm Day) and Eldfesten (Fire Festival). Kalix Municipality has produced a development plan for the island, with renovations and better accessibility.

Highlights

• The Flottningsmuseet in the old courthouse (the mess hall)
• The only preserved timber-sorting station in Norrbotten with buildings and quays
• Café Flottaren
• Office, crew barrack, boathouses, carpentry workshop and sauna
• Cultural events such as Vassholmsdagen and Eldfesten

Permanent exhibition

• Flottningsmuseum – Exhibition in the workers' mess hall (the former courthouse) on log floating and timber sorting in the Kalix River up to 1977.

Operated by

Kalix kommun

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

The island is reached via an accessible bridge (in summer a pontoon bridge).

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Vassholmen lies in the Kalix River, centrally in Kalix.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café Flottaren is in the same building as the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit