In 1644 copper ore was found in the Røros Mountains and in the following year the first furnace was built near a waterfall on the Hitterelva River. The Røros copper mines were exploited for 333 years until 1977. Røros was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) list in 1980. Underground tours are possible at the mines of Nyberget (1650) and Olav (1936) that are situated outside the WHS.
For over 250 years Røros was among Norway’s most important mining towns. Between 1644 and 1977 over 100,000 tons of copper and 525,000 tons of sulphur pyrite were produced here. The landscape in the area was completely changed by mining activities. The ‘Slegghauan’ (waste tips) form a black hill near the furnace and are one of the most characteristic aspects of the town.
Completely rebuilt after its destruction by Swedish troops in 1679, the city has some 80 wooden houses, most of them standing around courtyards. Many retain their dark pitch-log facades, giving the town a medieval appearance. The furnace which serves as the museum’s main building is a reconstruction of the furnace building from 1888 and demonstrates the technology behind mining activities at Røros.