Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the region is now a lush green landscape dotted with picturesque industrial leftovers,
mainly ironworks and mines. To learn more about the area's heritage, ask at the tourist of-
fices for the free booklet
Valonbruk in Uppland
, or check out
www.svetur.se/vallonbruken.
The word
bruk
, part of many local place names, means an industrial village that pro-
cessed raw materials, such as iron ore. Most appeared in the 17th century and were owned,
run and staffed by Dutch and Walloon (Belgian) immigrants - hence the local name for the
forges,
wallonbruk
. The profits were used to build fine mansions, surrounded by humble
workers' homes.
In 1627 the Dutchman Louis de Geer came to Lövstabruk, and the mansion was built for
his grandson, Charles de Geer, around 1700. The house and its factories were destroyed by
a Russian attack in 1719, but everything was rebuilt and iron production continued until
1926.
The
bruk
buildings are open to visitors from 11am to 4pm or 5pm daily June to August.
If you like what you see here, consider also visiting the nearby towns of
Forsmark
(
www.visitforsmark.se
) and
Österbybruk
((
http://gammeltammen.se
)
.
Sleeping & Eating
Gamla Brukshandeln B&B
B&B
( 070-676 59 94;
leufstabruk.com/b-b-rum.html
; Stora gatan 48; s/d Skr495/795; )
B&B Läkarvillan is a cosy house on the ironworks grounds that has whitewashed rooms
decorated with pretty antiques and those classic Swedish ceramic stoves, and a nice view
over the
bruk
. It's small, so book ahead.
Lövstabruk Wärdshus
SWEDISH
(
0294-311 22;
www.leufstabrukswardshus.se
; Stora gatan 33; lunch buffet Skr90;
noon-5pm
Sun-Wed, to 9pm Thu-Sat mid-Jun-mid-Aug)
This pretty restaurant with outdoor garden seating serves a hearty buffet lunch on week-
days, and a menu of Swedish classics on weekends and evenings.
Information
Tourist Office
TOURIST INFORMATION
