Vittjärn: Discover smokehouses and local history

Vittjärn’s local history includes smokehouses, former farmsteads and bridges from different periods. If you are looking for a hotel in Vittjärn, this historic focus offers a concrete starting point for planning your trip. The sites differ in their building history, location and later fate.

Smokehouses and the history of Finnish settlement

The Södra Josefsberg smokehouse, also known as Jenssilä, was built in Vittjärn around 1760. It consisted of an inner room and a kove, as well as a huge open hearth made of grey stone. The approximate date places the building in its historical context; the layout and hearth also show its specific architectural features. In 1957, the smokehouse was moved to Tomta on Skråckarberget. Thus, two place names are part of the building’s history: Vittjärn is where it was built, and Tomta was its destination when it was later moved.

The Nolgården smokehouse was built in 1842 and burned down in the early 1920s. Compared with Södra Josefsberg/Jenssilä, its history took a different course: the Södra Josefsberg smokehouse was later moved to Tomta, while the one at Nolgården was lost in the fire.

Pojansana is a Finnish settler farm. This adds the history of Finnish settlers to the story of the smokehouses and their construction.

Farmsteads and historic locations

Ristugan consisted of a small smokehouse, a small stable and a threshing barn; the buildings no longer survive. The three locations can be distinguished as follows: Ristugan was on the Vittjärn estate by the Rottnaälven, near Madolamp, on land belonging to Norra Vittjärn. Brostugan was on the same estate, west of the river and just below Vittjärnsbron. Rottnaberg, by contrast, was on the Stensgård outlying forest estate, east of the river and north of Vittjärn’s old school.

These reference points distinguish the historic locations: Ristugan is identified by the river and Madolamp, Brostugan by Vittjärnsbron, and Rottnaberg by the old school and the east side of the Rottnaälven.

The period of military preparedness adds another layer of history. At that time, a pioneer unit under the command of Ensign Larsson was stationed near Rottnaberg by Vittjärn.

Bridges and regional routes

Stenbron offers another perspective on how transport routes have changed. Until 1954, it was part of the route to Oslo; a concrete bridge was built in 1954. On the Rottnaälven, Stenbron serves paddlers as a resting place. However, it is falling into disrepair, so check local conditions before visiting.

In the area around Vittjärn, the Karmenpolku nature trail runs from Finnskogscentrum to the Karmenkynna local heritage museum in Lekvattnet. Alongside the historic farmsteads, this brings a named route to a regional heritage museum into view.

The municipal transport plan for 2025 lists Värmlandstrafik route 205 as a weekday service from Torsby via Lekvattnet to Vittjärn. Check the current timetable before travelling to make sure the service suits your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Stöllet, Likenäs, Ambjörby, Torsby, Höljes, Östmark, Branäs, Lekvattnet.

Go to the main travel overview: Torsby.