The Pythagoras Industrial Museum in Norrtälje tells, in a very vivid way, about a piece of Swedish industrial history. You step straight into a factory that looks exactly as it once did. We were here with the campervan this weekend, and it was really interesting. Welcome to the promised land of spark plug engines!
Table of contents
Why is it called the Pythagorean Industrial Museum?
Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher and mathematician from the 5th century BC. What does he have to do with an old factory in Norrtälje, you might ask. Of course, you might ask that, but the inventors who started the factory were interested in occultism and speech mysticism, so the Greek philosopher probably inspired them.
AB Pythagoras was founded in 1898 and planned to run a 'mechanical, electrical or other manufacturing business'. The first products did not go as planned, but over time they found profitability. Among other things, they produced ignition ball engines, which were exported all over the world. These engines could be powered by 'anything that can melt in a frying pan' and were revolutionary in their day.
Audio guided tour of the Pythagorean industrial museum
This summer, in the age of coronavirus, is not like other summers. Normally you can take a guided tour of the museum, but now you have to make do with an audio guide. Not too bad actually! A narrator takes you from station to station and tells you about life as a worker. You realise how insecure you felt when you started as a 13-year-old in the factory and how cold it was in the winters. By the way, have you seen the crossbeams on the ceiling? Fascinating!
Starting the machines
At certain times of the day, the museum starts one of the charcoal engines and several belt-driven machines. Suddenly the whole room starts to throb and pulsate. No, I wasn't photographing the machine. I was busy filming it for an Instagram Story, but on the other hand, don't you want to come here yourself to see and experience it?
The office of the Pythagoras Industrial Museum
During the audio-guided tour, you can also peek into the office. Here everything is as if someone has just left, only to return a moment later. The drawings for the next machine are on the table. That thing in the left-hand corner? It's the Pythagorean copy machine - very modern for its time!
Caretaker's house
You can also visit the small caretaker's house. Here, the caretaker and his wife lived for free, in exchange for almost constant work. In the summers the little cottage was quite cosy and they had a quilt where they could grow crops, but in the winters it was cold.
Viewpoint
Just behind the caretaker's house at the Pythagoras Industrial Museum is a viewpoint. The view may not be that great from here, but it's still nice!
What else can you see and do in Norrtälje?
Norrtälje is a nice little town with cosy alleys, charming cafés and a nice little river. This is a real summer town and in the municipality there are also lots of islands and nature reserves. We were here with the motorhome and stayed overnight in a car park by the bridge to Borgmästarholmen, which was very nice. Here you can find some more Norrtälje inspiration:
Kapellskär campsite in the Riddersholm nature reserve
Kapellskär's camping is beautifully located in the Riddersholm nature reserve, with the coast and the Åland Sea right outside. We...
Ulriksdal Palace and Park - Royal Palace in Solna, Sweden
Ulriksdal Palace is one of the eleven royal palaces in Sweden, and offers a...
Skokloster Castle - magnificent baroque castle by Lake Mälaren.
Skokloster Castle is a magnificent baroque castle on Lake Mälaren. This is the largest private palace that...
Gräsö in Roslagen - a scenic gem
Gräsö is a scenic island, located just outside Öregrund in Roslagen. The island is surrounded by...
Filmstaden Råsunda in Solna - 100 years of film history
Filmstaden Råsunda is currently operating as a cinema, although it is currently closed due to...
Lövstabruk - ironworks dating back to the 16th century
Lövstabruk in Uppland is one of the so-called vallon mills in Sweden, a historic ironworks....
The Swedish Upplands Road - FREEDOMtravel Themed Roads
Svenska Upplandsvägen is a themed road that takes you from Stockholm through beautiful Roslagen, and...
Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm - guide for your visit
Last weekend we visited Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm. It was a fantastic autumn weekend, and...
Karlberg Castle Park - jogging trails and attractions
Karlberg Castle Park is just a few minutes' walk from where we live. Yet it took several...
Royal palaces in Sweden - 11 magnificent castles
Royal palaces in Sweden are the subject of today's article. Did you know that there are 11...
Huvudsta farm in Solna - murder story and beautiful surroundings
Huvudsta farm in Solna is located a short walk from the marina where we live. We are...
Salsta Castle in Uppland - castle café, guided tours and ghosts
Salsta Castle is a beautiful baroque castle from the 17th century. We were fascinated by the beautiful building when...
Vikingabyn Storholmen - open-air museum in Roslagen.
Vikingabyn Storholmen is an open-air museum beautifully situated by Lake Erken in Roslagen. For a few...
Cultural trail in Värmdö - Pilhamn on Ingarö.
Yesterday a new cultural trail opened in Värmdö municipality, on the island of Ingarö, called Kulturstig Pilhamn....
Rosersberg Castle - a royal castle in Sigtuna, Sweden
Rosersberg Palace is a royal palace in Sigtuna, north of Stockholm. This castle is a...
Törnskogen nature reserve - lost twice in one day
Törnskogen Nature Reserve consists of Södra Törnskogen in Sollentuna and Norra Törnskogen in Upplands Väsby. Here...
Hagaparken in Solna - castles, gazebos and pavilions
Hagaparken in Solna is a beautiful park where you can stroll among castles, gazebos and...
30 attractions in Old Town - tourist in Stockholm
Sights in the Old Town! The old parts of Stockholm are not only charming and beautiful,...
Österbybruk - mansion and mill environment in Roslagen
Österbybruk is beautifully located in Roslagen and offers a beautiful manor house, historic mill environment and...
Ängskärs sea campsite in Uppland - and three caravan sites
Ängskärs havscamping is beautifully situated on the Hållnäs peninsula in north-eastern Uppland. We camped here for one day and...
Solna church - and the beautiful Norra begravningsplatsen cemetery
Solna Church is a nice little round church from the 12th century. Adjacent to the church is Norra begravningsplatsen, which...
What to do in Stockholm - 30 sights and experiences
What to see and do in Stockholm? Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and has lots of...
What to do in Solna - 15 activities and experiences
What can you do in Solna? We have lived in Solna for eight years, and before...
Gustavsberg in Värmdö - in the footsteps of the porcelain factory
Gustavsberg is a nice little town in the municipality of Värmdö in Stockholm, which is mainly...
Siggesta Gård in Värmdö - now with parking spaces
Siggesta Farm in Värmdö, outside Stockholm, is a rural hotel with conference facilities, outdoor activities, animals,...
Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm - and the Great Castle Tour.
Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm is a beautiful 17th-century castle located in the Bogesund countryside in Stockholm...
Väddö sea baths and camping in Roslagen
Väddö havsbad och camping på Väddö is a campsite with a sandy beach, surrounded by beautiful nature....
Marabouparken in Sundbyberg - art gallery and park hangout
Marabouparken in Sundbyberg is a park with an art centre and a large collection of sculptures. Despite...
Wenngarn Castle in Sigtuna - castle park, café and history
Wenngarn Castle in Sigtuna is a beautiful castle, which was once built by Magnus the...
Free camping at Lake Erken and Norr Malma nature reserve
During the last night of the midsummer weekend, there was free camping at Lake Erken in Roslagen, at Svanberga bathing area....
Riddarhuset in Stockholm - interesting to visit
The Riddarhuset in Stockholm is open to visitors for an hour every weekday, and making a...
What to do in Sundbyberg - 9 tips for cosy Sumpan.
What can you do in Sundbyberg? We have lived in Sumpan for many years, and...
Rullsands camping and sea baths
Rullsands camping is a nice campsite outside Gävle. The location of the campsite is very nice and...
Road trip in Roslagen - 10 places to visit
Looking for a road trip in Roslagen? We recommend ten great destinations to visit...
Görväln Castle and Görväln Nature Reserve
Görväln Castle and Görväln Nature Reserve are located in Järfälla municipality, north-west of Stockholm. We made a...
Steninge castle in Uppland - Aunt Anna and the sugar bushes
Guest writer: Anna Nilsson Spets A visit to Sweden for me is full of activities, we headed for...
Facts about the Pythagoras Industrial Museum
- Address: Verkstadsgatan 6, Norrtälje
- Location: The museum is located in the centre of Norrtälje, on the south side of the river.
- More info: You can find more information at the museum's website.
Opening hours
The museum is mainly open during the summer. In autumn 2020, the museum will probably be open on Saturdays. It is also always possible to book the museum for groups. For exact and current opening hours, see the museum's website.
Prices
- Entrance fee for adults: 100 kr (2020)
- Entrance fee for seniors: 90 kr (2020)
- Children from 4 years old: 50 kr (2020)
Services and practical information
- Toilets: There are toilets.
- Food service: Kafé Smedjan serves coffee, sandwiches, ice cream and more.
- Shop: There is a small souvenir shop.
- Parking: You can park in the courtyard.
Activities
- Discover the museum on your own: You can walk around the museum with an audio guide for adults or children. There is also a family quiz.
- Starting machines: At certain times, the museum runs a spark plug engine and some belt-driven machines.
- Guided tours for groups: Groups can book guided visits to the museum, and different thematic tours can be booked.
- School visits: The Pythagorean Industrial Museum organises educational programmes for kindergartens and schools.
- Events: Various events are organised, such as the Pythagorean Day and the Christmas Market. See the museum's website for up-to-date information.
Getting to the Pythagorean Industrial Museum
- Car: From Stockholm, take the E18 motorway towards Norrtälje. In Norrtälje, turn right just after ICA Flygfyren.
- Bus: Bus 676 runs from Danderyd Hospital to Norrtälje.
- Walking/cycling: If you are in the centre of Norrtälje, you can walk or cycle.
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We have heard many positive comments about the Pythagorean Museum. We'll try to visit it the next time we go there!
Keep up the good work!
18 August 2020 - 9:44
Helena says:
Glad you heard good things about the museum! We really liked it! And fantastically nice staff / guides! 🙂
18 August 2020 - 20:26
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
I know we had a machine that drove the wood splitter with a belt and that ran on waste oil. May have been from there.
18 August 2020 - 12:48
Helena says:
Fun! Interesting with this kind of history!
18 August 2020 - 20:26
Ditte says:
We have been to Norrtälje many times but not yet here at the museum. Many thanks for the tips and the visit here.
18 August 2020 - 15:51
Helena says:
It is well worth a visit! Opening hours are a bit limited so check beforehand when they are open!
18 August 2020 - 20:27
Matts Torebring says:
I love listening to an ignition ball engine, it is simply a wonderful engine.
18 August 2020 - 18:02
Helena says:
I have never thought about spark plug engines before, but when I visited the museum I was a bit fascinated!
18 August 2020 - 20:28
BP says:
It was a museum completely to my taste. I just love the building as well as the interior:-)
18 August 2020 - 20:50
Lena - good for the soul says:
But oh. I'm going to love that place! I already know that I will go there at some point. Had no idea it existed, so thanks for the tip!
We found a similar museum in Lesjöfors last summer. Great museum! Posts coming soon.
Hug Lena
23 August 2020 - 8:21