Travel Norway #22 - Magical streets of Røros - norwegian "Wild West"

Welcome Steemians!

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Welcome all to my new episode of Travel Norway series. It will be something great!! Pictures of the town comes from my many visits there during summer, autumn and winter season.

Let me take You to a trip through the original 17th century streets of mining town called Røros.

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1. Location

Røros is not a big town, but may be the biggest in a quite big area. It is situated in middle Norway, close to swedish borders, in Sør-Trøndelag county.

Driving from Trondheim from north, we can reach it by two ways - first one, by main road E6 than taking road nr30 through the beautiful valley Gauldal, and other, little longer but much more spectacular - through Selbu, road number 705, close to Sweden, with amazing views on Sylan mountains and fantastic wild outdoors around.

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Photo: Quite often, on the way, we can see big herds of reins

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From Røros we can drive south to beautiful Femundsmarka National Park, which I presented some time ago or Tynset and Rondane National Park - not yet presented...
Taking road to the east, we can reach Sweden very fast.

The area of town and surrounding is situated among hills and mountains, small woodlands and huge post+mining areas with couple of well preserved old mines.

2. Interesting fact

Røros is really cold place - one of the coldest in Norway actually- it is situated high above the sea level, surrounded by open spaces, with very strong influance of continental, dry and cold air from Sweden. Every time I was there in winter time it was like -10 Celsius, big snow cover and fantastic winter scenery.

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Røros has recorded the coldest temperatures in the southern half of Norway with −50.3 °C (−58.5 °F) !!!! in early January 1914. In the European cold snap of January 2010 temperatures reached −42 °C (−44 °F)

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What we cannot miss here - Røros was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1980

3. Some history

If You are not interested in history of the place, just skip this chapter...
The town was established in 1 Jan 1838 however the place was used to live and work by miners and mining companies a lot earlier. It is one of two towns in Norway that were historically designated "mining towns", along with the "silver-town" called Kongsberg.

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During the years Røros was twice under occupation of swedish soldiers, first time was burned to the ground in 1678, later was taken in 1718.
Most of the remining original buildings comes from that time. They have typical dark pitch-log facades, giving the town a medieval appearance.

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Photo: Storwartz Gruve - abandoned copper mine outside of town

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All the mining activity in town and area lasts 333 years! Did I say they were mining copper?
The process had some longer and shorter periods. It is interesting history of mining overall because during such a long time we can see how the first mines were created only by human hands, using a bon fires as a mining tools... to the last and newest mines, where blocks and rocks were crushed by machines and explosives...

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Photo: Roros Church tower and Copper smelter building on the right

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In the town we can visit Museum in Copper Smelting House and another great exposition in Gamle Storwatrz Mine outside town, where we can also go underground and visit the mine! - All on one ticket only :).

4. Røros church

This most characteristic building in town is also the oldest church in the area - built in 1784.
It has characteristic white walls with black construction elements, high lock tower and symbol of mining town.

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Photo: I know the tower isn't straight :P

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The church is open for public in touristic way as well as religious ceremonies.

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5. Main street

The town is not big, we can use easily 2 hours, walk around 4-5km and I think we will be able to see all. I mean, all the most interesting places and spots among original, old part of the town.

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Main street is a straight way up to the church area, among which we will fing many galleries, original expositions next to a modern sports shops and italian pizzeria - like everywhere in Norway - old and new is mixing with each other in an original way...

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Main street is always full of people and during the winter time, Christmas and new year's period - it is almost impossible to walk freely.

6. Exploration

If we want to feel the spirit of this mining town, we have to dive into smaller streets of the town.
Among low passages, backyards, narrow paths we can find smaller galleries, original handwork and art of locals, many antiques and beautiful buildings with original walls and decor elements.

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Exploring and searching of motives is great here - around every corner we can find the inspirations to shoot and feel the history of the town.

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7. River Hyttelva

River Hyttelva is flowing down really fast, splitting the town in two parts - one which we can call - place of living, with shops, houses, church and cemetery (place of living after death ;)) and other part - mining part - where now are situated very high piles of mine wastes creating high, black coloured hills above the houses and river shores...

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There are several bridges we can cross the river - some of them are old and wooden, others come from modern world and allow to drive through by car...

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River is an important part of mining town since the beginning - not only brings the drinking water to animals and people but also were used in smelting houses and other mining facilities. I am sure it has totally different shape and look in original. Now is a great element of Roros Cityscape:

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8. Smelting house

On the river shores, in upper part of the town we can see the biggest of all original buildings - smelting house. The most important part of all mining process. The black piles of wastes in other part of the town are reminings of the smelters work.

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I am not an expert of how the whole process were done that times but all is really beautifully expleined in Wiki and in the museum inside the building :). Around the building we can find some nice geological speciments, old tools and machines.

9. Oldest and most beautiful part of the town - norwegian "Shire"

On the other side of the river, among black piles of wastes, we will find small street with tiny, magical looking houses, grass covered roofs, black walls, small windows and doors make them look like a norwegian "Shire" (Lord of the Rings - hobbit's town)

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The houses are really small - normally grown adult person wont be able to stay straight inside...
This tiny houses were used by workers and manufacturers, I am not sure if someone slept there as well but now , through the small windows we can see the interior elements with original small beds, tables, chairs... very interesting stuff!

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What is also worth mentioning here - some of that houses can be rented! Just imagine to spend the night there, during very cold night, under Aurora lights, just light up the fire, drink some good liquor, read stories from the place...

This street had most beautiful architecture in all town in my taste. Such unique and original places I never seen before.

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10. Julemarked - Christmas time!

I am visiting Røros every winter since I am here and I have a car.
The unique atmosphere of Christmas and winter time in northern parts of Europe... simply magical!

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Here You can see, touch the Reindeers, take a photo with Santa Claus! The real one! ;)
You can take part in sled dog racing, drink original Glog with nuts mix, try Reindeer burger, buy yourself handmade clothes from reindeer leather, buy a sousage from Moose or even from a Bear... Many attractions are waiting for tourists.

That time around 60-70 thousands! tourists are coming to town!
It is expensive, crowded, but once a year - worth it.

Moody and atmospheric - with snow and frost guaranteed!

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11. Details gallery

Some more shots focusing on details I found across the town.
Mostly walls, windows, some other elements of everyday life... enjoy

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12. My Favorite place!

Among others, during exploration, You will find this magical entrance:

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It will lead You to small backyard with wooden tables and many original antiques. It is a coffee house, also restaurant.
You can choose where You want to rest - outside, in the bulding by the road - more civilized place or - My Favorite - in a barn!

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Photo: View from the window of "barn-restaurant"

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Small rooms of old barns were adapted for the tourist. we have to watch for low ceiling! Most atmospheric caffee I have ever been.

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Cozy, with smell of natural material like wood, straw, leather, smoke... magical light from small windows supported by candle lights - cold there in winter time but You can order hot chocolate, coffee, glog or something with alcohol, to warm yourself up!

If You will be there maybe some day - search for this place! It is an essence of Roros! It is an essence of old Norway!

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Photo: My wife Marta drinking hot chocolate

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13. Summary

Roros was taken by UNESCO under their rules not without a reason.
It has this unique magic which You won't find anywhere elso in the world!
Mining town, in far north, isolated, with original almost 400 years odl buildings, with interesting history, which is not only local history, but is also a history of Norway, history of copper mining and wars with Sweden...

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You must visit this place If You will be visiting middle Norway!
Worth the time, the efforts and the money!
Trully reccomended!!

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Thank You for watching and reading!

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My other posts from the series:

Travel Norway #1 – Steinvikholmen and why Vikings didn't build stone castles...
Travel Norway #2 - Storfossen and Metifossen waterfalls
Travel Norway #3 - Magic shore in Muruvik
Travel Norway #4 - Live with big L - Cabin trip to Heia
Travel Norway #5 part 1 - Let's go Undergound! - Gronligrotta Cave
Travel Norway #5 part 2 - Let's go Undergound! - Gronligrotta Cave
Travel Norway #6 - Muskox from Dovre national park
Travel Norway #7 - Dovre mountains - Sunrise by Hjerkinnsdammen.
Travel Norway #8 - First visit in Trollheimen montains - Innerdalen
Travel Norway #9 - Austerdalsisen - first view on Svartisen's glacial landscapes
Travel Norway #10 - Innerdalen -First Summer trip to Trollheimen National Park - Day 1
Travel Norway #11 - Innerdalen - First Summer trip to Trollheimen National Park - Day 2
Travel Norway #12 - Magical place in Lofoten - Eggum
Travel Norway #13 - Visiting an old copper mine - Christianus Sextus Gruve
Travel Norway #14 - Nordgruvefeltet #1 - Before sunset
Travel Norway #15 - Colorful grounds of Nordgruvefeltet #2 - After sunset
Travel Norway #16 - Femundsmarka national park vol.1 - Lakes and forests
Travel Norway #17 - Travel Norway #17 - Femundsmarka national park vol.2 - To The Top!
Travel Norway #18 - Autumn in Sylan p.1 - On the Way!
Travel Norway #19 - Autumn in Sylan p.2 - Lake Sylsjoen
Travel Norway #20 - Where winter & autumn meets - Autumnal visit in Viromdalen and Innerdalen
Travel Norway #21 - Sylan - Hiking through Stugudalen valley

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Thanks for watching and have a great day!

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