Wadköping

About the museum

Wadköping is a cultural reserve in central Örebro consisting of old wooden houses from the town. Many of the houses came from the southern part of Örebro town centre, an area of wooden houses, narrow streets and courtyard buildings that were threatened with demolition in the mid-20th century. The antiquary Bertil Waldén campaigned to save the best-preserved buildings, which were dismantled and stored. After a long process the municipality decided to rebuild them as a small quarter.

Construction began in 1963, and King Gustaf VI Adolf inaugurated Wadköping on 4 June 1965. The north side of the main street opened first; the south side, which recreates Örebro after the town fire of 1854, was completed in 1994. Around 20 buildings have been moved here, among them Cajsa Wargs hus, Kungsstugan, the Hamiltonska huset, Handskmakaregården, Teaterladan and Lekladan. The smithy came from Axberg.

The houses contain exhibitions on the history of Wadköping, on Cajsa Warg and on shoemaking, as well as the Skolmuseet (school museum) and the Hjalmar Bergmanmuseet. The area is run by Örebro municipality.

Highlights

• Around 20 relocated wooden houses from Örebro
• Cajsa Wargs hus and Kungsstugan with wall paintings
• Skolmuseet and Hjalmar Bergmanmuseet
• Lekladan with old toys for children
• Craftspeople such as blacksmiths, woodturners and silversmiths

Permanent exhibitions

• Wadköpings historia (Kungsstugan) – An exhibition in Kungsstugan on how Wadköping grew up and on the houses that were moved here.
• Cajsa Warg – An exhibition about Cajsa Warg in her house.
• Skolmuseet och Hjalmar Bergmanmuseet – Two smaller museums in Wadköping’s houses, one on the history of the school and one on the author Hjalmar Bergman.

Founded

1965

Operated by

Örebro kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the area and the exhibitions; some events charge admission. Group visits are booked via a form on the website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The area is flat, but roads, alleys and squares are paved with gravel, setts or cobbles; asphalt walkways are found in several places. Fixed ramps are at, among others, Gamla Örebro restaurant and café, Handelsboden, Hjalmar Bergmanmuseet, Silversmeden, Närkes träsvarvare and Lekladan; portable ramps can be borrowed in Historiska butiken. An accessible toilet (RWC) with a baby-changing table is in the Smedjebackshuset. Cars with a special permit for disabled people may park in the visitor car park. A portable induction loop is available in Teaterladan. The guide app includes sign-language interpreting and audio description, among other things.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Lekladan is a play environment with old toys. Family activities to do on your own (bird and tree spotting, a history hunt), a children’s guide in the app, and children’s parties where the children help Cajsa Warg find her missing ingredients. An accessible toilet with a baby-changing table is in the Smedjebackshuset.

Getting there & parking

Wadköping is in central Örebro, near Stadsparken and the River Svartån.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Gamla Örebro café and conference (lunch à la carte), Huset Under Bar Himmel and Kafé Karsbjer; several craft shops and workshops, including Handelsboden, Historiska butiken, Wadköpings smedja and ZilverZmen.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Premises can be booked; Gamla Örebro café and conference also arranges conferences and dinners.

Plan your visit