Wira Iron Works is a living environment, an idyllic spot with well preserved forges and red cottages. The iron works were built in the 1630s by Admiral Claes Fleming and became the country’s first sword smithy. Wira Iron Works had the exclusive right to make swords for the Swedish crown between 1646 and 1775. The majority of blades used in King Carolus XII’s wars were made here. At the height of its production, Wira’s smithies produced 12,000 swords per year. In more peaceful times they manufactured scythes, axes and ice skates instead of weapons. The last Wira smith, John Dahlgren,passed away in 1948 and the works fell into decline.
After 20 years’ silence the Wira iron works were renovated, and for the last 30 years the hammers have rung out once again throughout Wira. Three wrought-iron smiths now work in the area. You can purchase their artful creations at the inspector’s residence. The works’ museum is in the alderman’s house near the courthouse, and the brew house is a charming little café by the Vira River. Visit the large forge from the late 1700s and Dahlgren’s forge from the 1800s! Guided tours of Wira Iron Works can be booked at the smithy shop, 08-543 531 03. Every summer the well known musical play Wira-spelen is performed in the amphitheatre in nearby Isak’s äng. The organizers of Wira-spelen can be reached at 08-540 633 60. www.wiraspelen.se