Krampen

In Krampen, two miles from Skinnskatteberg, there used to be a refugee camp for Soviet soldiers. At the end of the Second World War, a barracks camp was built, which has now been demolished. A few traces remain in the area and signs with text and photographs tell about a previously silent part of our history. Just over half a mile from the site is Rysstenen.

During the Second World War, 1939-1945, thousands of people fled from wartime Europe to neutral Sweden. Among them were Soviet soldiers who had escaped from war camps in Nazi-occupied Norway and camps in Finland. There they had been used as labor to build roads and railways. In Sweden, camps were set up to take care of these men, three of which were located in Skinnskatteberg municipality: Baggå Manor, Udden guest house in Baggbron and Krampen.

In October 1944, Sweden extradited these refugees to the Soviet Union at the request of the Soviets. The young men's journey home was kept quiet for a long time, and now afterwards many people wonder whether it was right to send them home. Because prisoners of war were considered traitors by the Soviet state, many of these men ended up in terrible labor camps when they returned to their homeland.

In the area, there is a small museum in the only remaining building. The museum is open only sparingly. The outdoor area with its signs can be visited at any time. For more information about the opening hours of the museum, or booking groups click here.