Torvsjö kvarnar
Water-driven mill environment and listed building by the Kvarnbäcken stream in Torvsjö, with skvalt mills (skvaltkvarnar), a sawmill and a small power station, plus a café and exhibition in summer.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Torvsjö village was founded in 1752, and during the 19th century the villagers built, with great craftsmanship, an unusual water-driven installation along Kvarnbäcken (the Mill Brook). There are six skvalt mills (skvaltkvarnar), a threshing barn (tröskloge), a sawmill with a planer for wood shavings and a small power station, all driven by the water of the Skarpsjöbäcken (Skarpsjö Brook). The installation shows how water power was used in farming, to process forest raw materials and to meet the village's need for electricity, and it has no equivalent in northern Sweden.
In the 1950s many farms were abandoned and the buildings along the brook began to decay. In 1966 an extensive restoration began, and after six years of work the installation was inaugurated in May 1972. The same year the mill area was protected as a listed building (byggnadsminne), and the environment is of national interest (riksintresse). Since 1995 there has been a cultural house designed by architect Ragnar Bergeå, with an exhibition and a café, which is open in July and August. The installation was restored again in 2020–2021 with grants from Länsstyrelsen i Västerbotten (the County Administrative Board of Västerbotten).
Highlights
- Six skvalt mills, a threshing barn, a sawmill with a planer and a small hydro power station along Kvarnbäcken
- Listed building since 1972 and cultural environment of national interest
- Exhibition and café in the cultural house in July and August
- Guided tours with a demonstration of a skvalt mill when the water level allows
- Easily accessible walking trail along Kvarnbäcken
Permanent exhibition
- Utställningen i kulturhuset – Exhibition in the cultural house by the mills, open in July and August.
- Founded
- 1972
- Operated by
- Stiftelsen Kvarnbäcken
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –A guided tour of the mills and the forest museum for a group is booked with Husky Kennel Lappland: SEK 1,100 for 1–10 people, SEK 1,750 for 11–25 people and SEK 2,800 for 26–50 people (prices per group, including guide and admission to the buildings and the exhibition). |
|---|---|
| Guided tour for a group, 1–10 people (price per group) | SEK 1,100 |
| Guided tour for a group, 11–25 people (price per group) | SEK 1,750 |
| Guided tour for a group, 26–50 people (price per group) | SEK 2,800 |
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 walking trail along Kvarnbäcken is described as easily accessible.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
Torvsjö lies by the road between Åsele and Vilhelmina. From Åsele drive just under 20 km along road 90 towards Vilhelmina, take the signposted turn to the right and continue a few kilometres to Torvsjö.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Torvsjö café in Erik Johans stuga (cottage) by the mills is usually open during the summer season.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are booked by telephone or SMS to +46 72 564 19 40; the guide does not answer during an ongoing tour. Tourist information: turistinfo@asele.se. |
