Røros, Norway

Røros, Norway.

Røros was created in the 1600s because of the copper mines established there. The town sits on a high plateau and there was only scattered settlement before mining began. Røros and surroundings, a circle 44 km around the first mine - known as the circumference, obtained royal privileges in 1646. Røros, along with Kongsberg, obtained special status as a mining town ("bergstad"), a name still used Bergstaden or Bergstaden Røros.

Except the masonry church the town is characterised by log buildings from the 300 years of copper mining. The town was burned during conflicts with Sweden in 1600s. Norway's first coast to coast railway connected Oslo and Trondheim via Røros and was of course named Rørosbanen - Røros line.

Mining ended in 1977 and left a town with a unique history that can still be seen for instance by the slag heaps. Today the town of Røros has about 3,000 inhabitants. The towns rich past can be seen by the large church that dominates the skyline. The church, also known as Bergstadens Ziir, is one of the most important works of church architecture in Norway. It is a big surprise to find this key church in a small mountain town.

The church was designed by local master builders in cooperation with the copper mine manager. It is not clear how they got the idea for the particular design, except that octagonal churches already existed in Germany and in Trondheim.. Construction work was paid by the copper mine company and the church belonged to the company until 1865 when the church became public property.

Several churches around Norway have been built as copies or as inspiration from this unusual building. The church tower is the symbol of Røros and instantly recognizable.

Climate

Røros has a subarctic climate. Mostly sheltered from oceanic influences, and located at ca 650 m amsl, Røros has recorded the coldest temperatures in the southern half of Norway with −50.3 °C (−58.5 °F) in early January 1914. Skiing conditions in winter are usually excellent, with the period from February to April as the optimum, as the sun is higher and the days longer than earlier in winter. Snow on the ground is virtually guaranteed in Røros from December to early April.

Get in

By rail

There are direct trains from Trondheim (from kr 249, 2 hr 30 min) and Hamar (from kr 249, 3 hr 30 min). In Hamar there are connecting trains to Oslo and Lillehammer.

By plane

Røros Airport (RRS), +47 67 03 24 50. Widerøe operates two daily flights from Oslo (from kr 599, 50 min), no flights on Saturday.

By bus

• AtB operates buses from Trondheim (kr 286, 3 hr).

By car

• Route E6 then 3 from Oslo via Elverum (5 hr, 400 km).
• Route E6 then 30 from Trondheim (2 hr 30 min, 150 km).
• Route 84 then 31 from Sveg in Sweden (3 hr, 210 km).

Get around

It is easy to get around in Røros. Everything is in walking distance.

What to See in Røros

• Røros church (Bergstadens Ziir). The Røros church is a Røros landmark and its unusual shape and decor makes it instantly recognizable as a symbol for Røros. The building was completed in 1784 as the first masonry construction among Norway's octagonal churches. The mining company paid for the construction work. Sør-Fron and Vang churches are among the notable later buildings influenced by Røros. With some 1600 seats it is one of largest churches in Norway, behind Kongsberg Church (also in a mining town) Nidaros Cathedral.

Bergstadens Ziir.

• City center. A world heritage site.

Røros, City center.

• Røros Copper Works.

• Olav's mine (Olavsgruva), +47 72 40 61 70, e-mail: museumspost@Rørosmuseet.no. Adults: kr 100, Children: free.

Olavsgruva.

Buy

Artists are abundant in Røros. Local arts and handicrafts, potteries as well as reindeer and sheep skins are available.

Eat

A typical meal for the locals consist of amazing fresh bread with local cheeses, cold cuts and gravlaks. Unique to Røros are reindeer and moose meats. These meats are usually eaten as steaks or stewed to perfection.

Sleep

• Bergstadens Hotel, Osloveien 2, +47 72 40 60 80, e-mail: post@bergstaden.no.

• Røros Hotell, An-Magrittsvei, +47 72 40 80 00, e-mail: post@Roroshotell.no.

• Fjellheimen, Johan Falkbergetsv. 25, +47 72 41 14 68, e-mail: post@fjellheimen.no. Bed & breakfast, cabins and camping site.

• Håneset Camping, Osloveien 67, +47 72 41 06 00. Cabins, rooms and camping site.

• Idrettsparken Hotell, Øra 25, +47 72 41 10 89, e-mail: ihotell@online.no.

• Frøyas Hus, Mørkstugata 4, +47 72 41 10 11, e-mail: ellen@froyashus.no.

Connect

• Røros library (Røros folkebibliotek), Fargarveien 4, +47 72 41 94 24. M W 14:00–19:00, Tu Th 11:00–16:00, F 12:00–17:00, Sa 11:00–14:00. Free usage of computers. Printing is also available for a small fee.

Go next

• Tynset
• Oppdal
• Trondheim (Wikivoyage)