TravelFeedTravelFeed Logo
Travel Norway #13 - Visiting an old copper mine - Christianus Sextus Gruve

Travel Norway #13 - Visiting an old copper mine - Christianus Sextus Gruve

June 2018 · 7 min read

Welcome all!


This is 13th part of a series and tomorrow is 13th of June - my birthday :D ... but not about this today!


Welcome to my new post from Travel Norway series - this time I will take You to short photographic journey to very unique and original place - old, abandoned, ruined but still beautifull copper mine called Christianus Sextus Gruve.


IMG_6868.jpg


The place is very special for me, I have been visiting the mine and area twice already - one was in 2016 in time of autumn, and latest 2018 - early summer. On the pictures You can see how the location looks like in totally different lighting conditions and different seasons of the year.


IMG_8173.jpg


IMG_6977.jpg


Like I said, the place is special for me - why? I am not really sure, I just feel something magical there, maybe because of the mining fields area- I love geology, love to collect minerals, love to be there among the colorful piles of crushed
rocks, seen all the changed by human hand landscapes... Or maybe because of the fantastic open spaces which we can experience climbing on nearby tops... Or maybe there are some unseen, strange energetic fields which I feel - there is something mystical and magical there for sure. Unique nd original are the good words to describe the wole area of mines called Nordgruvefeltet.


IMG_6933.jpg


IMG_6983.jpg


Some history and facts about the place:
Christianus Sextus is a name of a copper/pyrite mine situated in area known as Nordgruve feltet in middle Norway, near the Glamos and Roros area. The mine was driven in two periods between 1723 and 1940. During these times many things have changed - from techniques of mining, hand work has been switched to machines and diamond drills - to transportation, where mined minerals have been taken first by horses, than the special railway has been build nearby. Last mining activities has place in Sextus in 1940 and the Nordgruvefeltet area is inactive mining field since 1945. In the whole area Christianus Sextus is the best preserved and the biggest mine. Many other mines are spreading on the nearby hills and mountains, but all what we can see today are just wooden, metal and concrete remainings... and of course all the changes made on surface.


IMG_8192.jpg


IMG_8249.jpg


During the years of working, the ore has been mined in two different levels, total area of ore fields had approx. 50000 m2. All the empty spaces below the ground has been replenished after work ends. We can stil observe some bigger and smaller holes on the surface here and there...


IMG_8244.jpg


How to reach the area? From the main road in Glamos we can follow the signs to Nordguvefeltet. To the mountains is leading private road with metal barrier which are closed in winter time. To access the road we should make a payment - for this year it was 30 norwegian kroner. There is special wooden box with envelopes and forms which we have to fill in and put the money to. Copy of the form we have to keep in the car in visible place in case of control. If I remember good, 500 NOK is a fine for not doing the payment on entrance.


IMG_8242.jpg


The road is quite long but straight as hell, it leads us up the mountains to Nordgruvefeltet area, after some km we reach a big car park near the big silos and magazines. From here we can take several different footpath to reach different locations, one of them is Christianus Sextus mine.


IMG_6904.jpg


Not a long walk by the road from car park to the mine is leading among nice looking birch forest. On the way we have to cross river Orva flowing from big lake called Orvsjoen using the old wooden bridge.

Here is the picture of the river and the bridge in summer time and the from autumn...


IMG_8151.jpg


Another shot showing the way in summer and autumnal look - which is more beautifull? I think I don't have to ask ;).


IMG_8162.jpg


The main building of a mine is still standing on the ground - I am not sure what was previously in the building, I found informations about a facility where all the mined stones were washed ad segregate for further transport - it can be true because we can see one part of the tracks going from above, another one probably were going down, so something what was delivered in the upper part of the building, was leaving downstairs after some processing...


IMG_6907.jpg


IMG_6922.jpg


IMG_8205.jpg


Some big parts of the machinery is still present inside...


IMG_6886.jpg


IMG_6891.jpg


IMG_6893.jpg


IMG_6902.jpg


There is a small water container or a pond in close distant from the building so the theory about washing facility is even more real.


IMG_8187.jpg


IMG_8198.jpg


IMG_8218.jpg


Another great find which confirm the this theory is situated about 200m from the mine - now laying in the grass by the crushed stone material. It looks like the big cylinder which can be used for washing the material - like the one which is used in those machines of Gold Hunters from Discovery series...


IMG_8273.jpg


From the place we can explore the surrounding in all ways - above the mine is a hill from which is fine view on the mine, the water and the surrounding - whole Nordgruvefeltet area...


IMG_8234.jpg


Going to the left we can explore big remainings of mining activities - the piles of washed rocks and stones, many colorful minerals creates unnatural views..


IMG_8274.jpg


IMG_8253.jpg


IMG_8278.jpg


Among others we can find remining of a place where the tracks were going underground - now filled up with rocks, no more underground corridors left...


IMG_8260.jpg


Also another nice find - original, old, still solid mining wagon.


IMG_8263.jpg


The place have big potential of being used even now for different activities. Many artistic performances and concerts had place here. Looking for some addictional information about them, I found some interesting, old archival material made by norwegian television NRK, where Christianus Sextus mine is playing main role. You can watch it here: https://tv.nrk.no/program/fola04002986/christianus-sextus


IMG_8211.jpg


IMG_8220.jpg


Some more shots from the area.


IMG_8207.jpg


IMG_8286.jpg


IMG_8229.jpg


IMG_8194.jpg

Ready to Blog & Earn?

With TravelFeed, easily start your own travel blog and earn as you go. It's the smart platform for travelers who want to profit from their passion. Create a free account


At the end I would like to invite all to write comments about Your thoughts on such long posts - are they too long or maybe there is too much photos, or too little or too much informations? Please give me support by giving such suggestions which I can use in future to create better and more interesting content!


IMG_7963.jpg

Photo: Full moon night after the exploration day was a great reward!

If You are interested in other parts of my photo-guide to Norway series, below I place a shortcut to all published parts. Feel free to visit and join my Diskord channel: https://discord.gg/bAQDCt

Travel Norway #1 – Steinvikholmen and why Vikings didn't build stone castles...
Travel Norway #2 - Storfossen and Metifossen waterfalls
Travel Norway #3 - Magic shore in Muruvik
Travel Norway #4 - Live with big L - Cabin trip to Heia
Travel Norway #5 part 1 - Let's go Undergound! - Gronligrotta Cave
Travel Norway #5 part 2 - Let's go Undergound! - Gronligrotta Cave
Travel Norway #6 - Muskox from Dovre national park
Travel Norway #7 - Dovre mountains - Sunrise by Hjerkinnsdammen.
Travel Norway #8 - First visit in Trollheimen montains - Innerdalen
Travel Norway #9 - Austerdalsisen - first view on Svartisen's glacial landscapes
Travel Norway #10 - Innerdalen -First Summer trip to Trollheimen National Park - Day 1
Travel Norway #11 - Innerdalen - First Summer trip to Trollheimen National Park - Day 2
Travel Norway #12 - Magical place in Lofoten - Eggum


<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

If You like my work, check my portfolio site asphotovisions
More information About Me
Any questions or opinions - write a comment. Great thanks for supporting my work!

Thanks for watching and have a great day!


Upvoting, Resteeming and Following are the best way to show the authors that You like their work, it supports them not only finacially but what more important gives a huuuge amount of positive energy to create more interesting posts and work on future projects!

Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance!

To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here

Travel Resources

Recommended by TravelFeed

Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights .

Accomodation: Find great stays on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.

Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.

Transportation: Use 12go and Omio to find detailed bus and train schedules, making travel planning easier.

Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.

Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!

Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

Tickets: Save on entrance fees with Klook and Tiquets.

Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide. Chat now.

Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.


Share this post

Comments

Read Next