The work in the ‘charcoal-burners' village is a part of Sweden's forest history, and everything is done according
to the old methods with traditional tools. Kolarbyn is the only one of its kind in Dalsland.
The history of char goes thousands of years back. Ever since humanity started to use iron, charcoal was
indispensable for the pro-duction. The method to char in mounds started in Sweden during the Iron Age. In the
beginning the char took place in a hollow.
During a year in Sweden they were working in, at most, 100 000 mounds. One mound of 140 cubic metres gives 70
cubic metres of coal and melts three tons of iron ore, -which gives one ton of iron. On the 18th and 19th century
there were 17 iron mills in Dalsland, each one used 1 700 cubic metres charcoal per year. Coal from 400 to 500
mounds was needed to meet the demand.
In 1996 a group of enthusiastic people in Bengtsfors started a project, which they named "Lysetjärnsmilan (The
mound of Lysetjärn). Today the project has grown to a mound open to public. A hiking-way of about three
kilometres combines the village with Gammelgården, located on Majberget in Bengtsfors. You can also get to the
"char-coal-burners' village" by car.
to the old methods with traditional tools. Kolarbyn is the only one of its kind in Dalsland.
The history of char goes thousands of years back. Ever since humanity started to use iron, charcoal was
indispensable for the pro-duction. The method to char in mounds started in Sweden during the Iron Age. In the
beginning the char took place in a hollow.
During a year in Sweden they were working in, at most, 100 000 mounds. One mound of 140 cubic metres gives 70
cubic metres of coal and melts three tons of iron ore, -which gives one ton of iron. On the 18th and 19th century
there were 17 iron mills in Dalsland, each one used 1 700 cubic metres charcoal per year. Coal from 400 to 500
mounds was needed to meet the demand.
In 1996 a group of enthusiastic people in Bengtsfors started a project, which they named "Lysetjärnsmilan (The
mound of Lysetjärn). Today the project has grown to a mound open to public. A hiking-way of about three
kilometres combines the village with Gammelgården, located on Majberget in Bengtsfors. You can also get to the
"char-coal-burners' village" by car.
Kolarbyn
a part of Sweden's forest history
a part of Sweden's forest history
| Three kilometres north of Bengtfors, by the small Lake Lyserjärn you find "Kolarbyn", the charcoal-burners' village. In the summertime they are boiling tar in accordance to ancient traditions. |
