Forsvik

Writer: Helena Bergström

Forsvik is a small town in Västergötland that is known for two things in particular: the oldest lock on the Göta Canal and Forsvik's ironworks. The lock is the highest in the canal and there is an interesting industrial museum at the mill.

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Located along the Göta Canal, the small town of Forsvik is also a perfect stop on a road trip or motorhome journey, perhaps on the way to or from the fortress in Karlsborg.

Forsvik is located in Västergötland County, on the western side of Lake Vättern, about 9 kilometres northwest of Karlsborg.

The oldest lock in the Göta Canal

The lock in Forsvik is the oldest lock on the Göta Canal, and next to it is Sweden's oldest iron bridge. The lock, together with the bridge, was inaugurated in 1815 and has a drop of 3.5 metres, making it the highest single lock on the canal. And yes, it actually feels really high when you stand next to it! Right next to the lock is a small café, Forsviks Café och Mat, and two shops, Kanalbutiken 5knop and Sail In.

Forsvik mill

Nearby, Forsvik Mill is one of Sweden's oldest industrial areas, with a 600-year history. In the late 1970s, production at the mill ceased and the buildings gradually fell into disrepair. In the 1980s, work began to renovate the mill, and in 1987 the Forsvik Industrial Heritage Foundation was formed with the aim of preserving, maintaining and revitalising the unique industrial environment.

Today you can stroll around in an interesting environment with various historical buildings such as a blacksmith's shop (forging small objects), a metal foundry, an electricity house and a wood grinder for the production of paper pulp. There are also various exhibitions, as well as a small café and a museum shop.

Forsvik Mill is open to tourists during the summer months, and visits to the site and exhibitions are completely free of charge.

Exhibitions at Forsvik Mill

There are several exhibitions at Forsvik Mill, and when you visit the main exhibition, don't miss the film about the wheeled steamer Eric Nordevall II. The ship sank in Lake Vättern in 1856, and a replica has now been built, which can be viewed at the Norrqvarn locks. Even more interesting if you first see the film at the Forsvik Mill Museum!

Electricity - with magical properties

You can then move on to the Electricity House. Here you can learn about what it was like in the early days of electricity. Back then, people almost felt that electricity had magical properties, and you could, for example, take a "light bath" by crawling into a box with lit light bulbs. Very healthy ... maybe?

Machines from the past

You can move on, past various workshops and forges, to an exhibition of various machines.

The history of women at Forsvik

It is also interesting to check out the exhibition on the history of women. The most prominent woman in the history of Forsvik's mill is undoubtedly Elisabet Cronström, who, after being widowed in 1729, took over as mill manager. She successfully ran Forsvik Mill for almost 40 years, longer than anyone else.

Motorhome parking space in Forsvik

Right next to the lock in Forsvik there is a caravan park for motorhomes. The price is SEK 180/day, without electricity. We came here quite early in the day and then there were many free places, but we had to move on so it was not suitable for us to stay. Another travel blogger who was recently here, bm.lars.reseblogg, says in his post that all seats were occupied when they arrived.

See more in the neighbourhood

Want to see more in the neighbourhood? For example, you can take the opportunity to see the fortress in Karlsborgwhich is located just southeast of Forsvik. Other nice destinations in the neighbourhood are Tiveden National Park and the nice little town Askersund. If you are travelling by motorhome, you can proceed to the beautiful Wassbacken campsite.

All our top tips for holidays in Västergötland

Have you been to Forsvik?

We found the visit to Forsvik really interesting, and it was nice to be able to walk around free of charge. Have you been to Forsvik? Do you think industrial history is interesting?

Facts about Forsvik

Municipality: Karlsborg municipality
County: Västra Götaland County
Landscape: Västergötland
Location: By the Göta Canal, on the southern border of the Tiveden forest, between the lakes Viken and Bottensjön.
Population: 318 (2019)
Name: The town is named after the farm Forsvik, which was written "Forswik" in 1388, referring to a bay on Lake Constance.
Attractions: Göta Canal's oldest lock and Forsvik's mill

History of Forsvik

15th century: At the beginning of the 15th century, Vadstena Monastery became the owner of Forsvik's mill, as evidenced by a document from 1410. The monastery's land records from 1447 state that Forsvik had both a flour mill and a sawmill, which means that there was a water-powered sawmill. A water-powered hammer forge is also mentioned.
1815: A cast iron bridge, which was a hand-woven bascule bridge over the Göta Canal, was inaugurated. Burials used to take place in Undenäs, a kilometre away, but now a cemetery had to be built in Forsvik. A cholera grave was also built a short distance from the cemetery.
1866: A cholera epidemic broke out, killing 36 people.
1956: A new motorised bascule bridge was built and the previous hand-cranked bridge was discontinued.
1999: AB Forsviks Skogar's sawmill, considered to be the oldest sawmill in Sweden, was closed down.
2008: Forsvik Mill received the "Industrial Heritage of the Year" award from the Swedish Industrial Heritage Association.
2009: A replica of the wheeled steamer Eric Nordevall, which sank in 1856 on Lake Vättern, was built in Forsvik.

Facts about Forsvik lock

Year of construction: 1813
Baptismal name: Charles XIII
Drop height: 3.5 metres
Technical facts: Single lock (highest of the channel)

Facts about Forsvik Mill

Address: Bruksvägen 2, Forsvik
Drift: Western heritage
Opening hours: During the summer of 2020 (16 May - 31 August), the mill is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00 and on 5-6 and 12-13 September. During the rest of the year, the mill is open for booked groups, seminars, etc.
Prices: Free admission (For prices for guided tours for groups, see the mill's website).
Service: Café Ada, museum shop and library with literature on building conservation and the history of technology.
Read more: You can find more information at the mill's website.

Finding Forsvik

Car: Forsvik is located 9 km northwest of Karlsborg. From Karlsborg you take road 49 northwards, and turn off on road 202 towards Forsvik. If you come from the north, you can take road 49 from Askersund and turn off on road 202.

READ MORE: Campsites and caravan parks in Västergötland
READ MORE: Things to do in Västergötland - sights and experiences
READ MORE: Travelling in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best travel destinations

15 Comments

Add yours →

4000mil says:

I have been there. But of course came by sea and was locked. 🙂

23 July 2020 - 9:17

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fun! Did you travel the whole canal?
  
  23 July 2020 - 17:11
  
  - 4000mil says:
    
    No, we went on a 3-hour trip from Töreboda.
    
    23 July 2020 - 21:59
    
Rolle o Carina says:

Of course it is nice, we were there a few years ago and looked around!
The entire Göta Canal is nice to travel by motorhome.

Keep up the good work......

23 July 2020 - 10:36

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Agree! Nice and interesting route along the canal!
  
  23 July 2020 - 17:12
  
Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

I have been at Forsvik every year since I was born... oops! ie 51 years. 😮 It is nice that they highlight the history and made a museum of buildings and the area, so it is kept alive!!!

23 July 2020 - 13:34

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Wow, is that true? Then we are in the clear 😉
  
  23 July 2020 - 17:13
  
- Doglas says:
  
  How can Forsvik be located on the eastern side of Lake Vättern...I wonder?
  
  24 July 2020 - 11:24
  
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Sometimes the keys are a little fast. Thanks for paying attention.
    
    24 July 2020 - 16:39
    
Elisabeth says:

We have been there most recently this summer. If you want to see the replica of the Hjulångaren, you should stop at Norrkvarn lock, it is there during the summer.

23 July 2020 - 15:30

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, we have seen it now! Nice! 🙂
  
  25 July 2020 - 8:59
  
Matts Torebring says:

It feels like you are travelling around the whole of Lake Vättern. Personally, I think it's one of the most beautiful journeys you can make in Sweden. Even though we have driven around the lake several times, you show us so much that we have not seen before. It feels like it is time to make a new trip around the entire Vätterbygden.

23 July 2020 - 19:06

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Isn't it nice around Vättern! Fun if we can show some new things! 🙂
  
  25 July 2020 - 8:59
  
Lena - gott för själen says:

Industrial history is definitely something we are interested in. I also have a connection to it at work, to say the least. Let's see if we can find something similar on our next holiday trip.

Hug Lena

23 July 2020 - 22:05

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Forsvik is interesting! Worth a stop! 🙂
  
  25 July 2020 - 9:01

Forsvik - the oldest lock in the Göta Canal and Forsvik Mill

Writer: Helena Bergström

Forsvik

The oldest lock in the Göta Canal

Forsvik mill

Exhibitions at Forsvik Mill

Electricity - with magical properties

Machines from the past

The history of women at Forsvik

Motorhome parking space in Forsvik

See more in the neighbourhood

Have you been to Forsvik?

Facts about Forsvik

History of Forsvik

Facts about Forsvik lock

Facts about Forsvik Mill

Finding Forsvik

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15 Comments

4000mil says:

Helena says:

4000mil says:

Rolle o Carina says:

Helena says:

Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Doglas says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

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