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Pythagoras Industrimuseum

18 August 2020 / 11 Comments

Pythagoras Industrial Museum in Norrtälje - step into history

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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!

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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.

Pythagoras Industrimuseum
Pythagoras Industrimuseum
Pythagoras Industrimuseum

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!

Traverser på Pythagoras Industrimuseum

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?

Pythagoras Industrimuseum

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!

Kontoret på Pythagoras industrimuseum i Norrtälje

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.

Vaktmästarbostaden i Pythagoras Industrimuseum
Vaktmästarbostaden i Pythagoras Industrimuseum

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!

Peter vid utsiktsplats i Norrtälje
Norrtälje

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:

Göra i Uppland
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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.
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18 August 2020 6:01 am
Sweden
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10 Comments

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  1. 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

    Reply

  2. 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

    Reply

  3. 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

    Reply

  4. Matts Torebring says:

    I love listening to an ignition ball engine, it is simply a wonderful engine.

    18 August 2020 - 18:02

    Reply

  5. 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

    Reply

  6. 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

    Reply

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