Skottvångs Gruva is a former iron ore mine in Gnesta Municipality in Södermanland County. It is located in an area that is known as Åkers Bergslag in eastern Sweden, an important mining area that once supported the ironworks at Åkers Styckebruk.
A Short History of Skottvångs Gruva
Skottvångs Gruva has a history that goes back to at least the 16th century. Many mining pits have been established here in search of iron ore. A few were only mined for a few years while others were used for centuries. These mines were in operation until the 1920s. In the end, it was the railway that was used to transport the mine to the ironwork at Åkers Styckebruk. Prior to that, the local farmers had found an additional income in transporting the iron ore over the lakes during the winters.
The mine was abandoned for about 30 years after its closure in the 1920s. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the family of Lars Serrander moved here and began to restore the buildings of this former mining community.
Things to Do and See
The forests around Skottvångs Gruva have a lot to be explored once the mine and its many pits have been explored. There are several charcoal piles that have been re-created in the area. Charcoal was once an important product that these forests supplied to the ironworks in addition to iron ore.
Skottvångs Gruva
Skottvångs Gruva is today an open-air museum. It includes a smaller museum about the site but it is the feeling of the industrial heritage when walking around in the area that will provide the best experience. The many open mining pits are today filled with water and hide their true size below the water’s surface.
Wahrendorff Gun
Among the historical mining buildings are two canons, or let’s call them guns to be correct. Martin von Wahrendorff was born in Stockholm in 1789 and would become an inventor. He was running the ironwork at Åkers Styckebruk and iron ore from Skottvång was used in the production of his guns. One of the guns is today on display next to the mines that provided the natural resources for its completion.
Sörmlandsleden
Sörmlandsleden is a series of hiking trails all around the province of Södermanland. Two stages of these trails end or start at the mines of Skottvångs Gruvor. Stage 15 will take you 10.5 kilometers south to Fredriksberg. Stage 16 will take you north to Harsjöhult, a distance of 10 kilometers.
How to Get to Skottvångs Gruva
- Flights: The closest airport is Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) which is 72 kilometers to the southwest.
- Car: Skottvångs Gruva is along countryside roads south of Mariefred.
- Train: The nearest train stations are in Gnesta and Läggesta.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 79 kilometers (59 min)
- Gothenburg – 435 kilometers (4 h 51 min)
- Malmö – 579 kilometers (6 h 18 min)
- Linköping – 167 kilometers (2 h 3 min)
- Kiruna – 1276 kilometers (14 h 13 min)
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