Autentic Røros

Unforgettable experiences, close to nature and steeped in world heritage await anyone prepared to take just a short flight from Oslo. And eager to show off the region and its diversity is a highly motivated team, genuinely proud of the local people, traditions and stories.

Tourism has been important in the region for a very long time and in 2016, Røros Tourist Board could celebrate 90 years of existence. Today, the name is Destination Røros and the goal is to create unique, unforgettable experiences the whole year round.

– Our job is to promote tourism in the region. Being an umbrella organisation means that we can offer enormous variety to our national and international visitors. Tourism is a vital industry in the region, and we need to invest in its future – says Director of Tourism, Tove R. Martens.

Our goal is to increase visitor numbers, to ensure earnings for our more than 160 member companies and to create a national and international awareness for the region that only partially exists today. Far more people should see what the region has to offer, says Martens.

 

EXPERIENCES ALL YEAR AROUND

The Røros region’s story is unique and deeply rooted in its world heritage status. Only a privileged few locations in Norway, or indeed the world, can boast a place on UNESCO’s list.

– Managing this status alongside modern industry and commerce presents specific challenges, and we have created several attractions specifically concerned with the theme, both in Røros town and within the surrounding so-called ‘Circumference’. Moreover, the region has produced iconic cultural figures, such as Johan Falkberget and Kjell Aukrust, and hosts a wealth of cultural events throughout the year.

Consequently, there is always something to experience in the Røros region and we are not limited to a particular season. Røros Winter Market, for example, is an iconic event now in its 166th year, that successfully fuses historical and modern aspects to create a unique cultural and shopping experience year after year, tells Martens.

 

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE RØROS REGION

• Røros Mining Town was officially founded in 1644
• Røros attained UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1980
• The coldest official temperature in Røros recorded in Røros is -50.3°C on 11th January 1914 – while the warmest, 30.7°C, was recorded on 27th July 2008
• North Europe’s largest ‘desert’ is the tiny ‘Kvitsanden’ at Røros
• The main vegetation in the region is birch and pine but some rarer species, such as the Siberian Aster, can be found here.
• Lakes: Aursunden, Femunden, Bolagen, Håsjøen, Djupsjøen og Gjettjønna

 

– The Røros region is diverse, unique and authentic. Add to this a living cultural heritage, and you get a place that is rooted in old industrial society yet has evolved into a vibrant region of modern industry and commerce, happily coexisting with the history literally surrounding it in the walls.

Due to the region’s moderately-sized population, visitors can nonetheless enjoy tranquility while still having access to modern amenities such as restaurants, cafes and shopping, says Martens. She points out that, while more and more travel destinations are being forced to adapt to climate changes and new travel patterns, ours has a true winter.

– We are one of the few regions that can still guarantee snow and all its associated experiences when many other places in the country are struggling with exactly this.

 

CLOSE TO THE NATURE

Both the traditional Christmas market and Røros Winter Market attract large numbers of guests from home and abroad, and Martens believes it is variety that is the key to the Røros region’s success as a destination. The trend in society today is to escape the noisy city life for peaceful countryside, mountains and wilderness, hiking, tenting and local foods.

– The Røros region offers a broad range of close to nature activities: dog sledding, horse riding, skiing, fishing, paddling, biking and more. In many cases, you can choose between private hire or an organised group tour.

Food is also an important element – the whole region is an Eldorado for food lovers. New and old production methods exist side by side, but we are primarily concerned with preserving old traditions, and have three different variants of local food safari designed to illustrate exactly this. We are confident that we can satisfy all ages and palettes!

 

 

PROUD AMBASSADORS

Most of the tourist staff have roots from Røros and/or the surrounding region and have worked in the branch for between two and 20 years. However, the Director of Tourism, Tove Martens, hails from Asker outside Oslo – but has a cabin in Glåmos, where her family has been holidaying since 1916. The organization is clearly enthusiastic to promote the fantastic diversity that the Røros region has to offer.

We are proud of our product, of the place, its people and the traditions here. This is what motivates us, emphasizes Martens, and is clear about what her favourites are:

– You simply have to experience Rørosmartnan (Røros Winter Market), try our delicious ‘sour’ sausage and visit the church at Røros! Rørosmartnan definitely offers the best of local history and culture in one place. Among other unique cultural attractions, I would recommend (from south to north) – The Aukrust Centre, Opera di Setra, Røros Christmas Market, the Femund Dog Race, the Winter Classical Music Festival and Elden outdoor theatre and – for a culinary treat – the cured meat festival at Tynset!

Copy: Liv Maren Mæhre Vold / DigiKo