Three hours on a train from Sweden’s capital Stockholm and you find yourself in an area where the iron making traditions goes well back to the Middle Ages. Iron, copper, silver and gold mining together with the forest industry – two industries working closely together - has formed the back-bone of the Swedish economy and rise to power ever since the 16th century. It was back then, when skilled miners came from central Europe to the cold north, seeking their fortunes in the depth of the Scandinavian wilderness. And indeed some of them did.

At Engelsberg it all started with a German immigrant, the miner Englika, who settled here by the end of the 14th century. In 1681 an industrial site for iron works was established and during the 18th and 19th century it developed into the most modern iron works of its time. A mansion was added together with workers homes, offices and other buildings. Engelsberg is also the only ironworks in Sweden that has preserved most of the original equipment. All operation ceased in 1919.

On a small island in lake Åmänningen, just a kilometre away from Engelsbergs Ironworks, you will find another interesting industrial heritage, the Oil Island - the world’s oldest preserved oil refinery. Though it does not belong to the World Heritage Site of Engelsberg – it is still an interesting place to visit. Guided tours are available on both sites during summer months.