Skinnskatteberg Municipality Facts for Kids

Skinnskatteberg Municipality (Skinnskattebergs kommun) is a local government area in central Sweden. It is located in Västmanland County. The main town, or "seat," of the municipality is Skinnskatteberg.

In 1952, a larger municipality was formed. The "old" Skinnskatteberg joined with two other areas, Gunnilbo and Hed. This new area stayed the same after a big change in 1971.

Exploring Skinnskatteberg's Geography
- Main Towns and Villages
- Nature Reserves to Visit
A Look into Skinnskatteberg's History
Population and People
Skinnskatteberg's Cultural Life
- Museums and Historical Sites
Fun Outdoor Activities
Famous Mansions
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Skinnskatteberg's Geography

About 8% of Skinnskatteberg Municipality is covered by water. This includes many streams and lakes. The area is great for outdoor fun like walking, hunting, and fishing.

Main Towns and Villages

The municipality has a few important places:

Riddarhyttan
Skinnskatteberg (This is the main town)

Smaller villages include:

Färna
Karmansbo
Kärrbo

Nature Reserves to Visit

As of 2022, Skinnskatteberg Municipality has 20 special nature reserves. These are protected areas where nature can thrive. Some of them are:

Baggå
Forsån
Grisnäs
Hedströmmen
Klockarbo
Klockljungsreservaten
Lappland
Malingsbo-Kloten
Matkullen
Ormdalen
Passboberget
Råmyran
Skommarmossen
Stora Flyten
Sunnanfors
Utterdalen
Vargberget
Venabäcken
Årsbäcken and Örtjärnsskogen

A Look into Skinnskatteberg's History

In the medieval age, this area was called Skinnsäckeberg. This name means "Skinsack mountain." People think it might refer to bags made of animal skins used to carry things up the mountains. But no one knows for sure why it was called that.

The area is part of the Mining district of Central Sweden. Mining has been important here since the 1300s. People mostly mined iron, but they also found copper.

Population and People

In total, Skinnskatteberg Municipality has about 4,361 residents. This number is based on official statistics from 2022.

Skinnskatteberg's Cultural Life

The municipality has a lively cultural scene. There are several theater groups. An annual meeting for choirs and other music events also take place here.

A very special place is Galleri Astley in Uttersberg. It is a famous art center and gallery. Around 100,000 people visit it every year.

Museums and Historical Sites

The Ekomuseum Bergslagen tells the story of iron production. It is a unique museum without walls. It has over 50 different historical sites spread across six municipalities. Twelve of these sites are in Skinnskatteberg.

Röda Jorden (The Red Soil) is Sweden's oldest place for preparing iron. It was active from 700 BC to 200 AD. You can see a rebuilt furnace and a roasting hearth here. These show how iron was made long ago. You can book a guided tour or explore the area on your own.

Kopparverket (The Copper Works) at Riddarhyttan has been an industrial site since the Middle Ages. Many old buildings, ponds, and ruins still stand. There is a marked path to guide you around.

Lienshyttan (The Blast Furnace of Lienshyttan) dates back to 1847. Nearby, the Bastnäs mineral and mine area is known as one of the world's richest places for minerals.

Färna Bruk is an ironworks from the 1500s. It has a grand manor house. There is also a remarkable mausoleum and a beautiful pavilion with paintings. The manor house is now a hotel. Sometimes, the King of Sweden, Carl XIV Gustaf, has visited it.

Karmansbo Bruksmiljö is a well-preserved industrial area. It includes a mansion, homes for workers, old Lancashire forges, and an office. The manor house is also a hotel. You can see the forges working on one special day in July each year. You can also book a private demonstration.

Ebba Brahes Pavilion is on an island near the Bockhammar manor. It is probably the oldest pavilion in Sweden. This pink, eight-sided building was built in the 1600s. There is a summer café nearby.

Fun Outdoor Activities

Skinnskatteberg is perfect for outdoor adventures. It has 244 lakes, and most of them are open for fishing. Fishing is very popular here and brings many visitors. You can also swim in most of the lakes.

You can walk along the Bruksleden Trail. Or explore the Ormdalen path in the Ormdalen area. This area has interesting geological features. You can also go canoeing on the canoe trails. The municipality has 13 different nature reserves to explore.

You can even walk in the footsteps of old pilgrims. The Romboleden, or Rombo's trail, goes from Köping all the way to Trondheim in Norway. Saint Olov is buried there. This historic trail passes through Skinnskatteberg.

Famous Mansions

Skinnskatteberg Municipality has many grand mansions. It is one of the Swedish municipalities with the most of them. Some of these famous mansions include:

Baggå
Bernshammars
Färna
Jönsarbo
Karmansbo
Nyhammars
Skinnskatteberg
Uttersberg

The Skinnskatteberg Mansion is especially well-known. It was built in 1779 by the architect Wilhelm Hising. Every year, a choir gathering is held at the mansion.