l33g0's video: Billn s Dam Fishway Steps Billn s Ironworks Village Billn sin Ruukki-Bruk Raasepori Finland

The Billnäs (Pinjainen) dam and fishway steps on the Mustionjoki (Svartån) river in the historical milieu of the Billnäs ironworks in April. Billnäsin ruukkikylän pato ja kalaportaat huhtikuussa. Historiallinen Billnäsin ruukkimiljöö sijaitsee Mustionjoen maisemissa. The Billnäs fishway is a vertical slot fishway, where fish swim from one step to another and can rest in the pools between the steps. At the bottom of the fishway there is a layer of natural stones of different sizes. It makes the fishway as easy as possible even for fish species that swim less well and shellfish. The fishway is located on the rock below the dam, between the power plant and its floodgates. Billnäsin kalatie on tyypiltään pystyrakokalatie, jossa kalat uivat portaalta toiselle ja voivat välillä levätä portaiden välisissä altaissa. Kalatien pohjalla on kerros erikokoisia luonnonkiviä, joiden avulla kalatiestä on pyritty tekemään mahdollisimman helppo myös heikommin uiville kalalajeille ja äyriäisille. Kalatie sijoittuu padon alla olevalle kalliolle, voimalaitoksen ja sen tulvaluukkujen väliin. The first ironworks and blast furnaces were built in Finland in the 16th century. They manufactured mostly iron and copper products. Typically a complete village community grew around the ironworks. Built near rapids and rivers, today many of original 134 ironworks have been restored and offer beautiful landscapes and living societies to visit. Pohja (Pojo) is one of the birth sites of the Finnish metal industry. The municipality of Pohja had forests, water power and the possibility to get ore. This opened the doors for foundries in Antskog (founded in 1630), Billnäs (1641) and Fiskars (1649). In addition Mustio (Svartå, 16th century) and Fagervik (1646) ironworks locate nearby. All these villages locate within about 30 kilometers (miles) and are slightly different in both nature and history. Carl Billsten, from Stockholm, founded Billnäs ironworks in 1641 by Mustionjoki (Svartån, ”black river”) rapid. He built a blast furnace and two trip hammers. The hammers were powered by the rapid with a drop of six meters (20 ft) within a short distance. Coal was made out of the trees in the nearby forest. Pig iron was produced in Billnäs until 1904. Billnäs faced many difficulties during 17th - 18th century. Local peasants destroyed the ironworks already in 1659 because of too heavy taxation. During the Great Wrath (Isoviha) Russians destroyed it again in the 18th century. In 1723, the ownership of the Billnäs ironworks was transferred to the Swedish Hisinger family. Bar hammer workshops with forges and waterwheels, and coal rooms were built in Billnäs. Johan Hisinger was active in building and developing the ironworks’ operations. The Hisingers strived to improve the conditions of the ironworkers and started a primary school in Billnäs. The primary school was among the first in Finland. In addition, a brewery was founded in the ironworks, as well as greenhouses, in which foreign plant species such as oranges and grapes were grown. During the Hisinger era, the production of the ironworks was renewed. A factory that produced a variety of hardware tools, such as shovels, hammers and axes, was established. A traditional forge was active alongside other production. In the late 19th century, new workshops included a cutlery mill, a sawmill and a carpentry workshop, in which the famous Billnäs office furniture were later produced. Billnäs manufactured forge products until 1920, when it was incorporated into Fiskars Corporation. Billnäs became its subsidiary. The ironworks was turned into a limited company called Billnäs Bruks Aktiebolag. In 1957, Fiskars received full ownership of the factories, and in 1970 the subsidiary was merged to the parent company Fiskars. At the same time, the furniture factory was closed. An industrial business ended in the Billnäs ironworks In 1983. Industrial activity still continues close in the Billnäs area, where the world famous Fiskars’ orange-handled scissors are being made. Other products include axes, garden shovels and garden tools. In 2008, the former production facilities of the old Billnäs ironworks were transferred to the ownership of Olli Muurainen. Today public events, concerts and exhibitions are organized in the inspiring Billnäs ironworks. Billnäsin Ruukki hotel and restaurant are located in a historical milieu. The Scarlett O’Karis terrace is open during summer. The old craftsmanship still thrives. Several entrepreneurs serve the residents and tourists in the village. Billnäs Chocolate Facory, a craft chocolate maker, is also based in the Billnäs village. Billnäs Varaosapankki (”Spare parts bank”) sells old original parts, like windows, cast iron products, locks and tiled stoves, for old buildings. Ratiashop has the most conclusive selection of Ristomatti Ratia’s products like clothes, accessories and interior design.  A full renovation of the valuable real estates are planned in the area.