However, Roros differs greatly from any nearby town in the sense that the people are used to foreign visitors and many people rely on these visitors, both foreign and domestic, to make a living. In this way the people are very educated and opportunistic and this is displayed in numerous ways, including in the town's winter markets and festivals, which provide an economic boast during the slow tourist months.
Historical & Architectural Sights
Roros Church (Bergstadens Ziir / Røros Kirke): This church was built in 1784 (restored in the 2000s) and is known as "the mountain cathedral." It was built at a time when Roros was wealthy due to the copper mines, sparing no expense and making the church one of the most impressive churches in all of Norway. For more information visit their website at: www.roroskirke.no (Norwegian only).
Museums
Olav's Mine (Olavsgruva): A part of the Roros Museum, this mine tour takes you through the town's mining history and growth in wealth as you go 150 feet (50 meters) into the earth; be sure to dress warmly. For more information visit their website at: www.rorosmuseet.no.
The Smelting House (Smelthytta): A part of the Roros Museum, the smelthytta, or melting hut is where the copper was melted down from the mid-1600s until the mid-1900s (today's building is a reconstruction from the 1970s). The smelting house and museum today display the mining, melting, and production process of copper. For more information visit their website at: www.rorosmuseet.no.
Areas & Neighborhoods of Interest
The Historic Center of Roros is enough to draw most visitors to the town as it is home to most of the highlights listed above. The center has incredible architecture as it boasts an impressive church, shops, grass covered houses, and the mines.
Further Afield
Vingelen: The village of Vingelen, about 40 minutes from Roros, is home to dozens of old barns, shops, and houses from the 1800s. This mountain village gives the visitor a better insight into the local mountain culture than just about anywhere else in Norway since it is still home to herders and farmers who call these fields and the historic town home. For more information visit their website at: www.vingelen.com.
Transportation
There are only a few transportation options when it comes to Roros. There are regular flights to and from Oslo; trains also run through town and offer routes to Trondheim, Oslo, and numerous smaller destinations. Buses are limited, but a couple bus companies do offer a limited number of routes to and from Roros, most notably to Trondheim as well as nearby villages.
Airport: Roros's airport is the Roros Airport located about 1 mile (2 kilometers) from the city's center. The airport code is RRS. For its location or directions, see the map below.
Train Station: Roros's train station is located just west of town, within a short walk of the town itself. For train times and schedules, the website is: www.nsb.no. For its location or directions, see the map below.
Bus Station: There are a couple private bus companies that service Roros, including Gauldal Billag and Nor-Way Bussekspress. Buses pick up near the train stations. For its location or directions, see the map below.
Local Transportation: All of Roros's major sights are within a short walk and the town is quite small so there is no public transportation. Taxis can get you around town if needed.
Official Websites
City of Roros: www.roros.no
Kingdom of Norway: www.visitnorway.com
Map & Directions