Blaafarveværket

Koboltgruvene - Cobalt Mine Works - Cobalt Blue Mine

Useful Information

Location:	Åmot, near Modum. 7 km from Blaafarveværket and Haugfoss.
Open:	20-MAY to 23-JUN Sat 11-17, Sun 11-18. 18-JUN to 14-AUG Mon-Sun 11-18. 15-AUG to 25-SEP Sat 11-17, Sun 11-18. [2005]
Fee:	Adults NOK 50, Seniors NOK 40, Children (7-15) NOK 20. [2005]
Classification:	Cobalt Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Blaafarveværket, 3340 Åmot i Modum, Tel: +47-327-86700, Fax: +47-327-78490 E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1772	cobalt discovered in Skuterudåsen.
1773	works established by royal decree.
1823	Baron W.C. Benneche from Berlin buys the works, co-owner Benjamin Wegner becomes Director at Fossum.
1849	bought by Goodhall & Reeves.
1856	bought by the Sächsischer Blaufarbenwerkverein.
1893	mining ended.
1937	start of restauration by Sigurd Winsnes with funds from the Central Office of Historic Monuments.
1952	sold to a private industry park.
1978	first art exhibition.
1980	Museum of Glass- and Porcelain, Mølla, and The Blue Shop opened.
1993	Cobalt Mines opened to the public.

Description

The Royal Blaafarveværk (Blue Colour Factory) was established to process cobalt ore. Cobalt was used in the production of cobalt blue pigment for the porcelain and glass industry. Blaafarveværket was once the leading factory of coboltblue pigment in the world. It is today a national treasure, a cultural museum with annual art exhibitions, which are among the most important in Scandinavia. The museum is located in pleasant surroundings and offers many attractions.

The mine Koboltgruvene is located nearby on the ridge of Skuterudåsen. It is a huge open cast mine which stretches three kilometers from north to south. But there are also underground tunnels, which may be visited on guided tours. The tour through Forhåpningsstollen and Gode Efterretningers galleries starts at the entrance next to the Gruvekroa café and ends right in the center of the open cast mine.