Næs jernverk, Historical ironworks in Tvedestrand, Norway
Næs jernverk is an ironworks along the Storelva river with preserved buildings, machinery, and worker housing that illustrate iron production methods from centuries past. The layout along the waterway demonstrates how water power and transport shaped industrial sites of that era.
The works were founded in 1665 as Baaseland Værk and operated until 1884. Over two centuries, it grew into a major employer with about 140 workers at its peak.
The site pioneered worker welfare by establishing an employee savings bank in 1820 and providing health care to laborers. Visitors walking through the housing and settlement can still sense how forward-thinking the operators were for their time.
The site is accessible during the warmer months and requires comfortable walking shoes as you move between buildings on uneven ground. Plan to spend time exploring the various areas, as there is much to discover across the grounds.
The site produced one of Norway's earliest public cast iron monuments, which was erected in Christiania in 1833. This artistic achievement was remarkable for an industrial works and reveals the range of skills and craft within the operation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
