If you want
to see Norwegian nature, art and history, and at the same time do some shopping,
Bærums Verk is the place to go. One hour by bus (route 143) outside of Oslo, you
will find this pearl. It’s in one of the most posh areas in Norway. Well, that
is what they believe those that have recently moved there. Lots of people in
Norway have this crazy idea that living in Bærum is the best thing since sliced
bread. And those that have been able to afford to move there, believe they are
the Bee’s Knees. Those that have lived
there for generations are relatively normal.
The area now
has about 8000 inhabitants, but only 35 years ago, this was still in the
countryside, and the about hundred families living in the area back then, were
farmers and craftsmen. Now there are still some farmers and craftsmen, but mainly you will find
newly rich and wanna-be-rich people there.
No, I’m not
saying this because I’m jealous. My husband is from that area, and we moved
away because there were too many snobs.
Anyway…
History…
In 1603 there were found iron in the area, and in 1610 king Christian IV granted Paul Smelter the right to build an iron foundry. Smelter bought several farms lying close together, and gathered all the foundries in the area in one spot. This was so successful that all other foundries in Oslo and Aker were shut down. So Smelter achieved a virtual monopoly in the Oslo area.
In 1664 the
Krefting family took over the works. From 1712 to 1766 the works grew and
became the largest of its kind in Norway. The works have changed hands several
times, but in 1889 it went into the Løvenskiold family through inheritance,
where it still remains. Production diversified to include a large variety of
cast iron products. Still the works were closed down in 1964. In 1997 the factory
site was redeveloped as a retail commercial centre. Many of the buildings on
the site are protected, including the oldest tavern in Norway.
 |
| You can play outdoor chess here. And remember, this is the are where the chess player Magnus Carlsen is from. |
The old foundry
was converted into a shopping area, nicely situated along the Lomma River, and
the different parts are connected by pedestrian bridges. The centre contains
two supermarkets, several restaurants, hairdresser, bakeries and several retail
stores. You can also find a small chocolate factory, glassworks, one person
making necklaces, rings, bracelets etc. (now you cannot call it a jeweller, there
are no jewels involved).
It’s well
worth the trip. The area is beautiful, and you get so much of everything.
Further down you will find some videos of the area.
Here you can read more: Bærums Verk
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