Erzscheidergården Hotell
The Erzscheidergården hotel at Røros carries the soul of the old mining town with it, and has the same characteristic atmosphere as the rest of the wooden houses in the centre of the town.
Text: Edda Espeland / Translation: Linda Vikaune / Photo: Tom Gustavsen
The German word Erzscheider, meaning ore separator, has given the building and the hotel its name. Mining was the foundation for the small town of Røros, the world heritage site of outstanding cultural value, established in 1644. Built from wood and surrounded by a landscape designed by mining, Røros shows how copper was taken from the mines and transported to the town, shaping the lives and lifestyles of the people who settled and worked there. High up on a mountain plateau, in a climate which doesn’t support farming, a unique culture emerged and has been preserved to this day – through 333 years of mining.
The Erzscheidergården, with roots back to the 1600s, is a part of this history, and some of the buildings are protected. The unique heritage means a lot to the hosts of the little hotel in the middle of Røros town next door to the church. The landscape, people and culture of Røros have inspired the décor of the 24 rooms, each with its own distinct style, furnishings and atmosphere, no two are alike. Antique furniture, old tools and objects and original timber walls have been brought back to life, combined with modern solutions. Many of the guests have their favourite room.
World famous breakfast
The Erzscheidergården has been a guest house since 1945, and was owned and run by Elin Norvik and her family from 1996 to 2013, when it was taken over by Røros Hotell.
The hotel is renowned for its pleasant hosts and an opulent breakfast with homemade food. Every morning guests will notice the smell of freshly baked bread, rolls and waffles, and in the cosy dining room they can help themselves to freshly made salads, pickled herring, cold cuts of meat, eggs, cheese, honey and homemade jams. In the lounge with the open fireplace there are always biscuits, home baked goods and freshly brewed coffee available, which the guests really appreciate.
Erzscheidergården Hotell doesn’t serve dinner, but the hotel is in the centre of what has become the capital of locally sourced foods in Trøndelag county, and there are many cafés and restaurants nearby where guests can enjoy flavoursome cooking. The hosts are happy to recommend restaurants Brasseriet at Røros Hotell or the Vertshuset Røros if they want a good meal after an interesting and full day in the mining town. Kaffestuggu serves good sandwiches and coffee during the day, and Berkel & Bar, a gastropub with an impressive choice of beer from Røros and the world, is one of the most popular places in town.
Afterwards diners go back to a good bed and wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread. And if they haven’t found their favourite room yet, they probably will …