SWEDEN - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 520

Day Excursion to
Eskilstuna
Sweden's Steel Center
Depart from Stockholm Central Station
Distance by Train: 73 miles (117 km)
Average Train Time: 1 hour
City Dialing Code: 16
TouristInformationOffice: Postal Address: Tullgatan 4, S-631 86, Eskilstuna. Vis-
iting Address: Stora Fristadshuset, Rothoffsvillan
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
www.eskilstuna.se
E-mail: [e-mail]
Hours: Summer: 1000-1700 Monday-Friday, 1000-1400 Saturday and Sunday.
Winter: 1000-1700 Monday-Friday.
Notes: To reach the tourist office, exit by the front of the station and follow Drottning-
gatan Street 3 blocks to Rademachergatan. Turn left onto Rademachergatan and
proceed until you see a cluster of red wooden houses. The one with the sign
TURISTBYRÅ is the tourist office.
Eskilstuna is unique in that it has preserved its industrial birthplace in the midst of a
great industrial expansion. In a quiet section in the center of Sweden's “steel town,”
the well-preserved Rademacher Forges stand today just as they have for almost
the last 350 years. Be certain to include a visit to this area during your day excur-
sion.
The forges were erected in 1658 under the supervision of Reinhold Rademacher.
Originally 20 in number, 6 have been preserved as a tribute to the heritage of mod-
ern Eskilstuna. The entire area surrounding the forges was restored in 1959 to com-
memorate the city's tricentennial. Descendants of the “smiths” are still at work form-
ing gold, copper, and iron into colorful trinkets for sale. In the spring and early au-
tumn, there is also a handicraft market in the area. The Faktori museet is situated
in the old Musket Factory nearby. The museum includes, among other things, the
city's historical exhibition, “Mellan sjöarna" (“Between the lakes”).