Industrial Heritage of Varkaus
The EHL Site
The Industrial Heritage of Varkaus opens an Eastern Finnish perspective on the history of European industrialization of almost three centuries. The community’s development phases are closely intertwined with major European upheavals from ironmaking to steam engines and to the formation of a welfare society. At the same time, it’s a survival story to becoming the engine of Eastern Finland’s export industry.
At the end of the 18th century, Varkaus became a naval base under the Swedish Crown. When Russia conquered Finland in 1809, the community that had formed in the area moved into service as an iron foundry that had been established in 1815 by Gustaf Wrede. It became apparent that the foundry’s operations were unsuccessful, so manufacture focused in the machine shop that started in 1851.
Ahlström company bought the factories in the early 20th century. The wood processing industry began to develop rapidly and the first cellulose mill in Varkaus was completed in 1919, and the paper mill started in 1921.
You can follow the traces of industry on the streets, buildings, factories and in the rapids. Immerse yourself in the history of the workers and see how the industrial heritage continues as today’s cutting-edge technology. Old Varkaus is the heart of the city history and here you can experience culture, see art, go to cafes and explore interesting museums.
Varkaus Museum Center Konsti brings together the stories of industrial history, art and the city’s residents. Here you can understand the entire identity of the city in one visit.
The Old Varkaus Experience Tour takes you on a journey through the city’s industrial history. The tour offers a new way to experience industrial heritage where it was born. You can explore the area with the help of guide boards and a printed map or on a mobile device.
European Dimension
The Industrial Heritage of Varkaus tells a shared European story about the role of industry in the birth of a democratic welfare society. The industrial story of Varkaus is a Northern European example of the emergence of an industrial community in a remote area, thanks to its geographical location and the natural conditions it offers. The conditions for its survival and development have required perseverance, cross-border exchanges of knowledge and the accumulation of know-how.
For centuries, the resilience of the industrial community in Varkaus has helped the industry to cope with global upheaval through knowledge and innovation and its strong European links. In Varkaus, the social, economic and ecological problems brought about by the European industrial revolution and rapid industrialization have given rise to phenomena whose solution has served as a breeding ground for the development of a multidisciplinary industrial community. Varkaus industry has been able to evolve in the face of changing social paradigms, with the developments in the industrial community contributing to the promotion of European values such as: respect for human rights and dignity, social diversity, social and gender equality, strengthening democracy, civil liberty and the rule of law, not forgetting ecological aspects.
Today the industry operating in Varkaus, built on its industrial heritage, is a European pioneer in expertise, product development and innovation.
The organization
The site of Industrial Heritage of Varkaus is managed by city of Varkaus, city’s development company Navitas Development Ltd and Varkaus Museum Center Konsti. A network of twenty companies, communities and artists from Old Varkaus are closely involved in the site’s activities. Members of the network operate or own property in the area. Existing industrial companies are also involved in the preservation and development of the site.
The city of Varkaus is the fourth largest municipality in North Savo, with just under 20 000 inhabitants. The city employs more than 600 people and owns a significant part of the cultural and historical properties on the site, as well as the rapids. The vitality and tourism of the area is developed by Navitas Development Ltd, a city-owned company with 25 experts.
The preservation of cultural history is the responsibility of Museum Center Konsti, which employs eight permanent experts and temporary staff. The Varkaus Museum, founded in 1956, moved in April 2024 to new premises built as a multi-purpose cultural centre. The new museum center gives an extensive presentation of cultural and historical content and collections, as well as the European connection of the site. The Children’s Factory at the museum provides an environment for children to create and play.
Museum Center Konsti and Navitas Development Ltd have experience in research and development projects. They have implemented projects in collaboration with various organisations, companies and communities both locally and internationally.