History and culture

In the midst of the Røros region, lies the town of Røros which in 1980 was placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The former mining town of Røros began to take form in 1646 when the first copper ore was extracted on the mountain plateau. Before that, there were only a few farms in the area.

Today, the small town of Røros is a living museum, and the entire town centre with its authentic wooden buildings is protected. At the same time, this is also a town in full use with a history still unfolding. As you explore Røros' narrow streets, old courtyards and buildings, you will find an amazing number of charming shops and interesting workshops. The town is famous for its high concentration of artists and craftsmen, and it can also boast of an impressive list of award-winning designer products from Røros based companies.

When the mining started , there was already a southern Sami settlement in the region and today over 20 families in this Sami region are active with reindeer husbandry. The Sami are an indigenous people in Scandinavia.

Some of the farms and mountain villages in this region, all within the circumference of the copperworks, may seem like chapters from bygone times. The unusual cultural landscape has been formed by the agricultural traditions that have been closely incorporated into the entire region. One excellent example of magnificent cultural landscape is the mountain village of Vingelen with its 30 farms spread across a south-facing hillside and one of Norway's very few, still active, summer farming areas where you will still see farm animals grazing in the summer.

Nature and climate

If you see the Rørosvidda Mountain Plateau from the air, you will realise just how expansive this wilderness area is. The region has two national arks: Femundsmarka and Forollhogna. In the region, you will also find the second largest inland lake in Norway, Lake Femunden, and the famous salmon river Gaula.

Except for the northernmost area, Røros has an inland climate with little precipitation but with large temperature variations between summer and winter. Røros is particularly popular in the winter with its crisp white snow and fresh frostiness – a sparkling white winter dream.

Key facts

The Røros region includes the municipalities of Tolga, Røros, Os and Holtålen.

• Total area: 5,342 square kilometres 
• Population: 11,600 
• Femundsmarka National Park: Founded in 1971 and situated between Lake Femunden and the Norwegian-Swedish border. Total area of 573 square kilometres.
• Forollhogna National Park: Founded in 2001 and situated on the borders between the municipalities of Holtålen, Os, Tolga, Rennebu, Tynset and Midtre Gauldal. Total area of 1,062 square kilometres.
• Lake Femunden: Norway's second largest natural lake is over 200 square kilometres stretching over 62 kilometres at 662 metres above sea level.