Røros Mining Town

The mining town of Røros was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1980.

This mining and farming town in the high mountains has retained much of its original character, with houses and farms from the 18th and 19th centuries. The street pattern and farming properties in the center of the town are the same as was originally constructed in the 1600’s. In the street pattern and arrangement of the buildings one can observe much of the development of Røros, one of the unique aspects of Røros as a cultural heritage site.

In 1644 copper ore was found in the Røros mountains and in the following year the first furnace was built near a waterfall in the Hitterelva river. Workers flooded to Røros from near and far, to work in the copper foundry.

For over 250 years Røros was among Norway’s most important mining towns. Between 1644 and 1977 over 100,000 tons of copper and 525,000 tons of sulphur pyrite were produced here. The landscape in the area was completely changed by mining activities.

Røros at State of the Environment »
Røros World Heritage Site »
Røros at UNESCO »

Røros Mining Town and the Circumference
Røros Mining Town was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980. An extension of the world heritage area and the determination of a buffer zone was added to the list 31. July 2010. Read more here »

The Houses

Behind the main buildings are the court yards, often surrounded by stables, storage buildings and separate open hearth buildings. Originally the buildings were not painted or paneled. They were one or two story houses with a single, double or triple floor plan. From the middle of the 1700’s the buildings began to acquire the appearance associated with Røros houses today. A covered area over the entrance to the court yard and a separate kitchen building. Many court yards also had ample stable room for horses used in transportation.

The mines

The mines are located outside of the town center, but are planned to be included in the expansion of the area inscribed in the World Heritage List. Both at Nyberget (1650) and Olavsgruva mine (1936) it is possible to be guided downwards and inwards through the mountain. At Olavsgruva mine is the Bergmanns hall, which can be used for concerts and other occasions.

"Slegghauan" (Waste heaps)

The heaps are a black hill near the furnace and are one of the most characteristic aspects of the town.

The Furnace building

Since the mine was closed in 1977, the Røros museum has managed the properties previously owned by the ”Røros Kobberverk.” The furnace which serves as the museums main building is a reconstruction of the furnace building from 1888 and is a modern museum which demonstrates the technology behind mining activities at Røros.

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