Vallonsmedjan i Österbybruk

About the museum

Iron has been forged at Österbybruk since the 16th century, and in the 1620s the first Walloons came here with their groundbreaking method. The Walloon forge used two separate hearths, the melting hearth (smältarhärden) and the refining hearth (räckarhärden), to produce bar iron (stångjärn) of the highest quality. The iron forged here became sought after far beyond Sweden's borders and, according to the works, laid the foundation for Swedish industrialisation.

The Vallonsmedjan in Österbybruk is described as the only preserved forge of its kind and was built in 1794. It lies in the middle of the works environment by Österbybruk manor house, where straight streets with workers' dwellings, the works office, the bell tower and the Ånghammaren (Steam Hammer) give a picture of a works with roots going back to the 15th century.

The forge is best experienced on a guided tour, where the guide shows how the Walloon smiths and their work teams worked through the ages. The tour ends in the smith's dwelling, where you learn more about the living conditions of the workers and families at the works. The forge and the manor house are managed by Stiftelsen Österbybruks herrgård (Österbybruk Manor Foundation).

Highlights

• The only preserved Walloon forge of its kind, from 1794
• Melting hearth and refining hearth for high-quality bar iron
• Guided tour that ends in the smith's dwelling
• Works environment with the works office, the Ånghammaren and workers' dwellings
• Can be combined with the manor house exhibitions and Dannemora mine

Permanent exhibition

• Vallonsmedjan och smedsbostaden – Guided tour through the preserved Walloon forge from 1794, which shows the two hearths of the Walloon forge and the significance of bar iron, and through the smith's dwelling with a depiction of the workers' life at the works.

Operated by

Stiftelsen Österbybruks herrgård

Admission & discounts

Prices for guided tours apply according to the foundation: the tours of the manor house, the Walloon forge, Dannemora mine and the Bruno Liljefors exhibition. Tickets are bought online or on site at the manor house entrance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

An accessible toilet is available during the manor house's opening hours, and public toilets with a changing table are behind Bistro Jernet. Disabled parking is available outside the works church (brukskyrkan).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

In summer there are, among other things, games from the past, a listening adventure with a map and a ferry trip on the manor pond. A changing table is behind Bistro Jernet.

Getting there & parking

Österbybruk is about 45 minutes by car from Uppsala and 90 minutes from Stockholm; from the E4 take exit 189 towards road 290. Follow the signs towards Bruksmiljö.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

At the works area there are Bistro Jernet and Gammel-Tammen, as well as shops and craftspeople.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit