Lekvattnet
Värmlands little dollhouse
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LekvattnetVärmlands little dollhouse |
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A walkabout through four centuries, among the memories of old Finnish men and women, swidden-culture and hard working crofters
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Road decription |
From Torsby, follow road 239 along Lekvattnet, 23 km (14.3 miles). At the cheese store, follow the signs to Ritamäki, 10 km (6.2 miles). | |
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A trail approximately 8,3 km (5.2 miles) long, among memories from settlements from 16th - to 20th century. This walkabout is a part of the Finnskog trail. | |
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The walkabout starts from the parking north of the Lake Lomsen. Timber was once transported on Lake Lomsen. | |
| 1 |
Lomstorp |
It was, among other things, a shop at the start of 20th century. The smokehouse stood west of the current room house, built some years after the new construction. You can also see a newer finnish sauna. Private |
| Between the farms there is a flat stone, for horse and carriage to cross over the brook | ||
| 2 |
Svartbäcken
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Early built. It was inhabited by a long line of Nikkarainen families. The arable land is now taken over by the forest. In 1821 three generations lived here (16 people). The smoke house has lost it's oven. The last people living at this place were Oskar and Johan, they moved in 1964. It is now a private summer home. |
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The forest area on the Norwegian side of the boundary is called Varaldskogen. | |
| 3 |
Österby |
It was built and cleared at the start of the 18th century. It was a big farm.There are old buildings farther up on the slope. In the smoke cottage, 8 adults and 10 children lived in the 1820's. No priest had been there for 150 years. It was inhabited until 1970's. The smokehouse is moved to Glomdal museum. Private |
| Tree bridge |
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An old wooden bridge. |
| 4 |
Lebiko |
Cultivated during the 20th century, was inhabited until 1960. During the second world war, this was the last outpost on the Norwegian side's "freedom's dangerous road". Lebiko is one of the younger finnish crofts in Finnskogen, and houses and heritage landscapes are undergoing restoration by Finnskogens tourist association and Austmarka Historielag. Want to sleep over?: contact the Norwegian tourist association |
| The border Norway - Sweden | ||
| Finnforrest man |
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A natural Finnish man. |
| 5 |
Kissalamp |
Kissalamp was built by two brothers from Norway during the later half of the 18th century. It was occupied until 1964. Santa Claus has been seen here as late as the 20th century. Logs from the smoke cottage are in the attic. An important escape road ended at Kissalamp during the second world war. This trail is now cleared and marked. Private |
| Water |
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Water, to drink. |
| 6 | It was inhabited during 18th and 19th century The croft was abandoned and became deserted in 1905, when the farm's children emigrated to America. Smoke cottage ruins. | |
| Anthill |
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There is a lot to do in an Anthill. All ants know what they have to do. All are needed. |
| 7 |
Ritamäki |
The upper farm was probably built in the 1780's. It was abandoned. Cellars and smoke cottage are in ruins. The lower farm was built in 1840. In 1857, the farm was hit by dysentery and all children died within a week, the mother a week later. The father formed a new family and continued on the farm. It was inhabited until 1964. The farm was donated to Lekvattnet's rural culture society that runs the farm today. In summertime, you can get a simple buffet. |
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Follow an aisle path southwards 2 kilometres (1.25 miles) through the forest down to the parking area north of Lake Lomsen. | |
Here, you can read more about going on trip in Finnskogen…
| Lekvattnets rural culture society |
| Lekvattnet
45 68591 Torsby |
| tel 0560-50225 |
| Information: |
| Bodil Nordquist 0730-53 68 42 |
Photographs: John Lysen
Last updated: 2010-08-17
Responsible: Webmaster
