Gustavsberg i Värmdö - i porslinsfabrikens spår

Gustavsberg is a lovely little town in Värmdö municipality in Stockholm, best known for the Gustavsberg porcelain factory. We took a map-based walk along the waterfront and discovered everything from factory history to castles and mansions.

Gustavsberg in Värmdö municipality

We visited Värmdö municipality when we tested the municipality's new cultural trail Pilhamn, located on the island of Ingarö. The cultural trail was nice and interesting but only 1.7 kilometres long, so we had time and energy for more "discovery". We then chose to go to the municipality's central town Gustavsberg and follow one of the municipality's ready-made "walks".

READ MORE: Cultural trail in Värmdö - Pilhamn on Ingarö.

Gustavsberg is located in Värmdö municipality, 22 kilometres east of central Stockholm. The town is located at the far end of Farstaviken, on the western part of Värmdön.

City walk in Gustavsberg

On Värmdö municipality's website we found information about "Recreational trails and hiking paths" and on that page you could download a pdf with "Three walks in Gustavsberg - through history, nature and culture". Fun with a little culture and history as a change to all the nature experiences, we thought!

We chose the walk called "Fabriksområdet and Farsta", which focuses on the history of the porcelain factory and the Farsta neighbourhood, where you can find several beautiful manor houses.

Gustavsberg church

Gustavsberg church is not on this particular walk, but we saw it in the distance. The church is built in neo-Gothic style and was inaugurated in 1907, five years after Gustavsberg became its own parish. In the foreground you can see a nice houseboat lying along the quay.

World House and Stone House

The walk starts at the Värdshuset and Stenhuset. The inn was completed in 1882 and served as an inn and clubhouse for the "Gustavsberg Workers' Club". The factory management thought that the workers drank too much alcohol, and therefore wanted a clubhouse with alternative activities.

The Stone House is a residential barracks for factory workers from 1857. At the time, the house contained 32 single rooms with a stove.

The factory area in Gustavsberg

The walk then continues along the waterfront, past the factory area in Gustavsberg. Many different buildings are marked on the map, but it is not easy to understand which building is which from the map. You pass by:

Old mud house - This is where the long process of mixing porcelain paste started. Mills and machines were driven by steam power.
The old workshop - Here the porcelain mass was transformed into objects. Craftsmen turned or pressed the mass against plaster moulds.
Drying house - The former Torkuset now houses the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum. In the past, the porcelain was dried here before firing. Midsummer was celebrated every year in front of the house.
The furnace house - Originally there were even more kilns, and now a house from 1853 remains. The kilns were packed full of porcelain in a process that was both difficult and risky.
Yellow building - This first office building was completed in 1826, the same year the factory was founded. It has also housed apartments and a hall that served as a church hall.

In the pictures above you can see, among other things, the "Yellow Building". The first picture below shows the beautiful Drying House.

READ MORE: Huvudsta farm in Solna - murder story and beautiful surroundings
READ MORE: Rörstrand Castle in Stockholm - the castle you never knew existed

Odelberg's sculpture

The next stop is the Odelberg sculpture by Carl Milles. Mill owner Wilhelm Odelberg ran the factory and the community from 1869 to 1924. In 1900, he had around 800 employees, all of whom were provided with housing, medical care, pensions and child allowances and schooling for their children.

Headquarters - Tornhuset

The Tower House is a grand, medieval-inspired building. The ground floor once housed the customs office, post office and waiting room for boat travellers.

Kattholmen power station

The power station at Kattholmen was opened in 1905. It had two large steam turbines that were used to provide electricity to all the factory's machines. In 1921, the power station was closed down and the factory was connected to the Älvkarleby electricity grid.

Farstavik

As you continue your walk through Gustavsberg to the area called Farsta, you encounter several beautiful buildings. First you come to Farstavik. Samuel Godenius, who was a mill owner from 1852 to 1869, gave the house to his daughter Hilma when she married the future mill owner Wilhelm Odelberg in 1869.

Farstaudde

Right next door is Farstaudde. Mill owner Wilhelm Odelberg had the house built in 1911 for his daughter Maria Bennich, who had been widowed with several children. The magnificent villa is beautifully situated, but it didn't feel like you could get that close.

Farsta Castle

The most magnificent building in the area is Farsta Castle, which belonged to the nobility in the 17th century. When Maria De la Gardie became the widow of Gustaf Gabriel Oxenstierna, she renamed the property Gustafsberg after her husband. This then became the name of the town! The castle was rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries.

English Park

At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, English parks were in vogue, and they didn't want to be inferior here. The mighty oak forest in the park is really nice.

READ MORE: Rydboholm Castle in Roslagen - and the English Park
READ MORE: Hagaparken in Solna - castles, gazebos and pavilions

Iron Age settlement

After the English Park, the walk goes back towards the centre of Gustavsberg, but now a bit above the water. You first pass an Iron Age settlement, where the original Farsta farm was located 1000 years ago.

Stables

You then pass the stables, built in 1888, which housed horses and oxen used to transport porcelain.

Porcelain factories

At the end of the walk you come back to the porcelain factory, but now you pass other buildings. Now you pass by:

The hall of measurement - Here, painters sat in long rows and painted or decorated porcelain.
The house of Kåge - In this house, they developed new tableware and experimented with artefacts.
The boiler centre - Heating centre from 1940.
Sanitary porcelain factory - A remnant of the 1939 factory, then the most modern in the world.
Household china factory - In the 1940s, the Cooperative Union invested heavily in this modern factory.

The water wheel

Outside the porcelain factory is a water wheel from 1894. This was the factory's first source of energy. With the advent of the steam engine, it was replaced by water power.

Gustavsberg porcelain factory today

Gustavsbergs porslinsfabrik is an all-Swedish company, which has been in continuous operation since its foundation in 1825. All production today takes place in the brick building of the household porcelain factory in Gustavsberg, and a large part of the production is done by hand.

Gustavsberg is the only porcelain factory in the Nordic region to produce bone china. It makes porcelain and stoneware for both private customers and professional kitchens. All products are stamped with an anchor stamp and the text "MADE IN GUSTAVSBERG SWEDEN".

Gustavsberg porcelain museum and shop

The Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum has large collections of porcelain and ceramics. In 2018, the National Museum took over the operation and the museum is currently closed for renovation.

In Gustavsberg's own shop, located at Odelbergs väg 1 C, you will find second-hand products and other items for the table. There is also an online shop.

More to see and do in Gustavsberg

It's nice to just stroll along the waterfront in Gustavsberg, and those arriving by boat can stay in the guest harbour. If you want to follow ready-made walks, there are two more:

The oldest utility streets, with industrial buildings from the end of the 19th century.
Tallåsen and Hästhagen, with buildings from the 20th century

Many people also talk about the Artipelag cultural centre, which includes sculptures in an archipelago setting and is located nearby. "We've never been there, but we've thought about visiting it when the time comes.

Have you been to Gustavsberg or Värmdö? What are your best tips?

Facts about Gustavsberg

Name: Gustavsberg, previously spelt Gustafsberg
Landscape: Uppland
County: Stockholm County
Municipality: Värmdö municipality
District: Gustavsberg district
Population: Approximately 24 000 (2019). 45 000 people live in the entire municipality (2019).
Areas: Höjdhagen, Hästhagen, Porslinskvarteren, Munkmora, Lugnet, Björnkärret, Bortre Hästhagen, Holmviksskogen, Ösbydalen and Farsta Castle.

Attractions in Gustavsberg

Gustavsberg church from 1907
Farsta with the farms Farstavik, Farstaudde and Farsta castle
Porcelain factories with all its different buildings
Round house is a library built by architect Gustav Thunberg. Nicknamed 'The Lemon Press'.

What to do in Gustavsberg

Photo parks is a permanent outdoor photo exhibition
Grisslinge sea baths is a popular swimming spot between Gustavsberg and Hemmesta.
Gustavsbergsbadet has a swimming pool, water park and relaxation area.
Gustavsberg Art Centre with contemporary arts and crafts
Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum is run by the National Museum and is currently being renovated

Excursions in Värmdö municipality

Artipelag is an arts and culture centre in the archipelago.
Björnö nature reserve is surrounded by water
Fredriksborg Fortress from the 18th century at Oxdjupet
Gällnö is an island in the middle archipelago
Möja is an island with beautiful nature and old farms.
Runmarö is an island with cosy little villages and orchids.
Sand Island is another island, with fine sandy beaches.
Säby burial ground is an Iron Age cemetery with 150 graves.

Getting to Gustavsberg

Car: From Stockholm, take road 222 towards Gustavsberg and Värmdö. The road is about 27 kilometres, driving time about 35 minutes.
Bus: Buses run from Slussen to Gustavsberg. You can take bus 474 towards Hemmesta, and get off at Gustavsberg centre. At certain times, other buses also run, such as bus 425 towards Gustavsbergs Lugnet. The bus journey takes about 25-30 minutes.
Boat: During the summer you can take Gustavsberg VII to Gustavsberg Harbour. Read more at Strömma Canal Company.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Experiences in Stockholm County - Norrtälje to Södertälje
READ MORE: Holidays in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best destinations

16 Comments

Add yours →

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Another nice walk in a mill environment with an interesting history! (I shuddered when I saw the map. There is a Gustavsberg not far from Falköping too. We had no idea about that...)

02 May 2020 - 8:09

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Good morning! What do you mean you jumped when you saw the map? You mean you saw the wrong Gustavsberg? I've been there before. When I set "Ella" in Sri Lanka, I saw Ella in Sri Lanka, but my mum saw Ella in Täby ... That time it was possible to change it by more specifically entering "Ella, Sri Lanka" in the Google Maps settings. Now I have written "Gustavsberg, Stockholm" in the settings. Does that make it better? (If that's what you meant, I'm not sure...)
  
  02 May 2020 - 8:18
  
  - bmlarstravellingblog says:
    
    Didn't know it could be like that!
    Now we also see Gustavsberg, Stockholm when we read the post.
    Anyway, we had a nice guided tour in an environment that was completely unknown to us. Thank you for it!
    
    02 May 2020 - 9:36
    
    - Comment by post author
      
      Helena says:
      
      Ok, fine! Now I know that I need to be clearer in the settings if there can be several places with the same name (and that's not uncommon!). Thanks for letting me know!
      
      02 May 2020 - 19:42
      
Lena - good for the soul says:

It was a slightly different "walking tour" compared to the ones you've done recently, but still plenty to see. I didn't realise there was so much in the area. I have been there once ... hmm, it may have been a fair. Recognised a house in one of your pictures.

Have a nice Saturday!

Hug Lena

02 May 2020 - 8:27

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, we like to vary, so we will probably try to alternate nature with a bit of culture and history sometimes 🙂.
  
  02 May 2020 - 8:37
  
Annika Gustafsson says:

I moved to Gustavsberg five years ago, and as a recent retiree, I see that there is a lot to explore.
Thanks for the tips ?
Regards
Annika

02 May 2020 - 8:59

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What a beautiful place you have moved to! I'm glad we could contribute with tips! I'm sure there's even more that we don't know about.
  
  02 May 2020 - 19:37
  
Ama de casa says:

What a nice tour with history and culture! 🙂

I like those "marked out" walks that give you help on the way (or rather help on the airing 😉 ) in new environments 🙂 ).

02 May 2020 - 10:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Isn't that right? Right now I'm guessing you're happy for all the walks, marked out or not 😉 Happy Freedom!
  
  02 May 2020 - 19:43
  
Ditte says:

What a nice excursion! And a trip to Gustavsberg is always nice. If you do not have a car, it is easy to take a boat trip here with Strömma and usually also the bus. (Now we will not go by bus ...) Have been out here quite a lot, especially during the years my parents had a summer house on Värmdö. Perfect excursion destination. We have probably walked about 2/3 of the walk and may take the rest on our next visit. On the other hand, we can gladly take the whole.
Thanks for a nice walk, nice pictures and good info.

02 May 2020 - 13:25

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Then I can understand that you have spent a lot of time here! Quite right to be careful in these times. We also avoid buses and trains. For us it will be car or bike, and only outdoor activities within the county.
  
  02 May 2020 - 19:45
  
Lena in Wales and Spain says:

Nice report from Gustavsberg which I have visited, but now realise that I have only seen a small part of the harbour and the shops there.
Can't remember the sign across the road saying Gustavsberg Harbour.
We had the little grandchildren with us, so we were probably watching them as much as the neighbourhood.
Thanks for the nice report and have a nice weekend!

02 May 2020 - 14:53

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Funny that you have been here! When you have children, it is impossible to have full focus on everything else, I recognise that!
  
  02 May 2020 - 19:46
  
BP says:

We did a similar "pleasure trip" to Gustavsberg two years ago. Great fun to repeat the walk and get info about all the buildings now from you:-)

02 May 2020 - 20:28

Mr Mats Björkman says:

Nice travel description of Gustavsberg. A few minor factual errors, however: The inn was built as early as 1860 and Runda Huset's well-known functionalist architect Olof "Thun-Olle" Thunström is also behind the residential areas Höjdhagen, Grindstugärde and Hästhagen.

30 November 2020 - 18:06

Gustavsberg in Värmdö - in the footsteps of the porcelain factory

Gustavsberg in Värmdö municipality

City walk in Gustavsberg

Gustavsberg church

World House and Stone House

The factory area in Gustavsberg

Odelberg's sculpture

Headquarters - Tornhuset

Kattholmen power station

Farstavik

Farstaudde

Farsta Castle

English Park

Iron Age settlement

Stables

Porcelain factories

The water wheel

Gustavsberg porcelain factory today

Gustavsberg porcelain museum and shop

More to see and do in Gustavsberg

Facts about Gustavsberg

Attractions in Gustavsberg

What to do in Gustavsberg

Excursions in Värmdö municipality

Getting to Gustavsberg

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16 Comments

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

Annika Gustafsson says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Lena in Wales and Spain says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Mr Mats Björkman says:

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