Strömsberg is a former company town in the historical province of Uppland. It is today a smaller settlement of around 100 inhabitants and it is a part of Tierp Municipality in Uppsala County. It is, however, the rich history of Strömsberg and the well-preserved industrial heritage that makes it so special.
A Short History of Strömsberg
Dorkarby by in Tolfta Parish was once a village with a stream. That was until it was the Walloon Welam Wervier acquired land in the village and opened an ironworks in 1643. The ironworks produced plates for the manufacturing of muskets at the rifle factory in Söderhamn. Strömberg would get a twin ironworks in nearby Västland as Welam Wervier acquired it as well. When Charles De Geer acquired Strömsberg in1734, it became a part of a large imperium of ironworks in the area.
A sawmill joined the ironwork in 1911. It did, however, not take many years before Stora Kopparbergs AB purchased Strömsberg and the ironworks closed down. The sawmill continued to be active up until 1961 and with its closure, the last industrial production in Strömsberg disappeared.
Things to Do and See
Walking around in Strömsberg is like taking a step into the past where manual labor was at the center for most of the inhabitants in the area. The ironworks is the main sight, but there is a wider view to look at.
Strömsberg Ironworks
It is the old industrial buildings of the ironworks that is the highlight of most visits to Strömsberg. They include the office building, the eight coal storage buildings, and especially the furnace from 1723. There are many buildings still standing and each one has a story to tell.
The Sawmill
The first sawmill was built in 1860 and it was powered by the stream. A steam-powered sawmill joined it in 1911. The new sawmill is in what could be one of the longest wooden buildings in the province of Uppland. The building is today a museum showcasing the forestry work of the past.
The Mansion
Charles De Geer built the mansion in the 1750s. It is today only visible from afar as it is privately owned. Major reconstructions were done at the end of the 19th century, but work was done in the 1960s to restore the 18th-century exterior.
Clock Tower
Next to the mansion is the old clock tower from 1736. It stands on a field overlooking the surrounding area. The clock was used to signal the start and end of both work and rest.
The Homes of the Workers
As is the case for the mansion, many of the earlier homes of the workers are mostly privately owned. However, they are still integrated into the general appearance of the area and they match the architecture of the industrial buildings.
How to Get to Strömsberg
- Flights: The closest major airport is Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, 99 kilometers away with both domestic and international flights.
- Car: Strömsberg is along country roads outside of Tierp, not far from the E4, between Uppsala and Gävle.
- Bus: Local and regional UL buses connect Strömsberg with the surrounding region.
- Train: SJ and Upptåget have train services to and from nearby Tierp.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 136 kilometers (1 h 31 min)
- Gothenburg – 532 kilometers (6 h 18 min)
- Malmö – 744 kilometers (7 h 48 min)
- Linköping – 331 kilometers (3 h 34 min)
- Kiruna – 1109 kilometers (13 h 15 min)
Find out more about other destinations in Sweden by visiting our page Exploring Sweden
