Water drives the hammers 1 The flax mill in Trolldalen consisted of 10 different buildings: accommodation huts, flax sheds, a flax sauna (drying), several crushing hammers and oscillating wheels (all driven by water power). The complex was built by farmers from Rängsjö (approx. 8 kilometres away) who had no access to a stream. The most recent buildings date from 1904, all the others are from the early 19th century.
Work was carried out over several days in shifts. The men operated the hammers and the women the swings. When the Rängsjöer were finished, the plant was also available to the local farmers. The shives and coarse tow were also a popular insulating material that people in the neighbourhood could pick up for free.
Over 1000 of these water-powered production facilities existed exclusively in Hälsingland. The idea hardly spread beyond the region's borders. A good dozen of them still exist today.
Demonstrations are also held on site in June and July.
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