Knalla gruva
Knalla gruva and the Mining Museum offer a unique opportunity to get close to Sweden’s mining heritage – without needing to enter the underground tunnels. Today, the entire visitor experience takes place above ground and inside the well-equipped museum, where you can explore environments, stories and objects that show what life was like for the miners who once worked here.
Exciting Mining History for Young and Old
If you want to do something different and educational during your stay at Harge Resort, the Mining Museum in Zinkgruvan is a great excursion. Here, you get an insight into mining operations, machinery, labor history, and technology – something that fascinates both families with children and adults alike. The museum is located in the historic mining town of Zinkgruvan, which has been an important part of the region’s industrial history for over a hundred years.
What is the Mining Museum?
The Mining Museum (often called Knalla Mining Museum) is an open-air museum and above-ground exhibition area where you can see old mining machines, tools, vehicles, clothing, minerals, and photographs from the mine’s history.
Here you can also experience what life in the mines was like over time – there are both self-guided tours via QR codes and the possibility of a personal guided tour with knowledgeable guides who share fascinating stories from the time when the mine was fully operational.
Practical Information
Distance: Approximately a 15-minute drive from Harge Resort to Zinkgruvan.
Opening Hours: The museum is open during the summer season.
Entrance Fee: 50 SEK per person.
Café & Refreshments: Simple refreshments and fika are available at the museum so you can take a break during your visit.
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Camping
We offer camping with bathing facilities, where you can choose to stay in a caravan, motorhome, or tent.
The museum is a really fun destination for children! There are many interactive elements and plenty for kids to explore. The tour train is a favorite among children!
It’s entirely up to you as a visitor, but if you like, it’s easy to spend a whole morning or afternoon with us.
LOFT CABIN
Our loft cabins are designed to provide you with an unforgettable holiday experience by Lake Vättern.
FAMILY CABIN
Our family cottages are designed to provide you with a memorable and relaxing stay, complete with all the necessary amenities.
CAMPING CABIN
Our camping cabins are located 600 meters from the beach and offer an ideal base to explore everything the area has to offer.
SLEEP CABIN
Our sleeping cabin is a 4-bed cabin, perfect for families and small groups who want to enjoy a simple yet comfortable stay by Lake Vättern.
Why is Knalla Gruva a standout attraction in Bergslagen?
Knalla gruva is exceptionally well-preserved above ground, offering a clear picture of how mining was actually carried out. Combined with nature, forest trails and a rich cultural heritage, the visit becomes both peaceful and exciting.
Guided tours help explain how the work was done, how the technology developed and what the place looked like during the mine’s active years. Even though visitors can no longer enter the shafts, it is easy to imagine the underground environment thanks to the museum and the authentic surrounding buildings.
Many visitors also highlight the atmosphere – here you get both a nature experience and a history lesson in one visit.
What can you learn in the Mining Museum at Knalla Gruva?
The museum highlights stories that might otherwise be forgotten: the people, the everyday life and the hard work. Through models, tools, photographs and unique artefacts, visitors get a clear picture of what working life in and around the mine looked like.
The exhibition is designed so that both children and adults can understand and enjoy the information. Those interested in technology can dive deeper into details about mining and machinery, while younger visitors meet simpler explanations and visual aids.
The museum also shows how mining influenced the local community, both economically and socially. Many describe the visit as personal and moving because the stories focus as much on the people as on the machines.
Askersund – tips from the center manager
Askersund is a place of great variety, and I truly appreciate that everything the town, the water, nature, and culture have to offer is always close at hand.
I work as a tourism development officer at Visit Askersund and also serve as the town centre manager for local commerce.
For guests staying at Harge Resort, there are many excursion opportunities nearby – ranging from hiking and cycling to swimming, cultural sites, and a wide selection of events throughout the year.
One of my personal favourites when it comes to hiking is the Mariedamm Trail. The nature there is both diverse and easily accessible, with an interesting connection to the culture and history of southern Bergslagen. Combined with the charm of a small town and a constantly vibrant event scene, this creates a varied experience, no matter the season.
