Tuesday 18 May 2010

ABC Wednesday R for Røros




One of the most interesting towns I ever saw is Røros, in Norway. In 1644 copper ore was found in the mountains by accident . Legend has it that hunters chased after a deer which ran into the mountain and in its flight he kicked some earth away and revealed a copper veine. I don't know what happened to the deer, but life in Røros changed for ever after this. In the following year the first furnace was built near a waterfall in the river. Workers flooded to Røros to work in the copper foundry. Farming became a secondary occupation. The town has retained much of its original character, with houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. The street pattern in the centre of the town is the same as it was constructed in the
1600s. The last time Røros was burnt was in 1678. For over 250 years Røros was among Norway's most important mining towns. The smallest houses near the furnace were occupied by short term workers, widows, gypsies musicians and unwed mothers.


With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with R.

I am away on a holiday and shall answer all comments when I return.

24 comments:

Christina, Sweden said...

nice photos. I have been there several times when i was in the Swedish mountains just next to it. It is sure an old well kept town, absolutely worht a visit


christina, sweden

Dina said...

Thanks for showing us around the town, Wil. I'd love to visit there.
Nice of them to thank the deer with a statue.

Anya said...

Leuk om te zien
we praten vaker over Scandinavie
het is eens iets heel anders als
Spanje of Frankrijk altijd ;)
Bedankt, ik krijg vakantie kriebels
hihi...

Fijne avond
:)

Miss_Yves said...

Merci de nous faire découvrir ce lieu:on imagine bien la mnaissance ,puis le déclin de cette petite cité minière.
"The smallest houses near the furnace were occupied by short term workers, widows, gypsies musicians and unwed mothers."En somme, des logements sociaux ?

Sylvia K said...

What a great post -- as always, Wil! Love your photos! A great tour and what an interesting place! Would love to visit there myself! Hope you have a great vacation! Enjoy!

Sylvia

anthonynorth said...

I love these old towns. Modern ones just don't have that same character and feel.

Tumblewords: said...

Mining created many towns and legends around here, as well. Roros is fascinating - thank you!

photowannabe said...

Have a wonderful Holiday Wil. Interesting how legends grow and mix with reality.
Would love to visit here.

Carol said...

Roros is very interesting and I so enjoyed the slide show. I would love to visit this place but that won't happen in the near future so I'm happy to take the tour here!

Kim, USA said...

A place worth visiting for. Happy Wednesday!

ABC Wednesday

Roger Owen Green said...

Interesting piece of history unknown to me. thanks.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Nydia said...

What a lovely place! Looks like a toy city! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your holiday!

Kisses from Nydia.

Hildred said...

What a lot of character the town of Roros has, - we have a Copper Mountain here in the Similkameen Valley, - about an hour west of us. It doesn't have the history your town has, but boomed at one time, lost many of its workers when copper prices fell, and is now recovering.

Vicki Lane said...

Looks like an interesting place!

Love the swan and cygnets!

Unknown said...

Have you a great holiday!
this is so cool and the photos..awesome!
Mine is here
Happy Wednesday!
hugs
shakira

Arkansas Patti said...

I just love your slide shows. The weathered wood and grass roofs on the homes were neat.
Since I can't make the trip, thanks for the tour.

Jay said...

It wouldn't surprise me if the tales were true! I'm sure a lot of discoveries happen like this!

On behalf of the team, thanks for taking part in ABC Wednesday this week. :)

roserose*MrsYusof* said...

I miss you too Will

How are you? I hope you will be always in good health.
You are still maintain with your blog here. Keep it up.
Hugs and kiss from me.

Unknown said...

Thanks for transporting us to Norway, I loved the visit!

Etje said...

Noorwegen een land dat ik graag eens een bezoek zou brengen.

Een fijne en zonnige donderdag gewenst

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I like the signets on your header photo. I am curious why they have different colours.

Did you have a great time with your duaghter and family from Australia?

EG CameraGirl said...

I like the charm of this town. I wuld enjoy it there, I am sure.

Unknown said...

Good slide show of a sweet town. I have not been to Roros, but I have been to other parts of Norway and know that it is a beautiful country. Like your text description with the pictures. Nice mix of history, geography and personal impressions.
Must try to visit Roros one of these days!

I was very split this week and constantly interrupted when I tried to get my post done. So that's why I am so late.

Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's Rudabagas

Kay said...

I love how looking at your benches enable us to see the beautiful environment you live in.