Rørosmartnan – Winter market since 1841

• bentehaarstad

rorosmartnan_cw-14

It has been a wintermarket in Røros since 1841, and every year the market starts on the third tuesday in February, that is in the coldest time of the year in this small mountain city. This day about 80 horses enter the city after travelling for days in the old way, with sledges. They come from north and south in Norway, and from Sweden.

rorosmartnan_cw-2

rorosmartnan_cw-3

rorosmartnan_cw-4

rorosmartnan_cw-5

rorosmartnan_cw-11

The 160th wintermarket in Røros will last for almost all this week. These photos are from 2011. I also went to Rørosmartnan last year, and made a post about the trade going on in this city that is a Unesco World Heritage site. And also on post about reindeers at the fair. And I will go again this year. But not tomorrow when all the horses are arriving, so I will just have to remember. Here is a link to more photos from Rørosmartnan.

rorosmartnan_cw-13

rorosmartnan_cw-15

rorosmartnan_cw-16

rorosmartnan_cw-17

rorosmartnan_cw-18

rorosmartnan_cw-19

rorosmartnan_cw-20

rorosmartnan_cw-21

rorosmartnan_cw-22

rorosmartnan_cw-23

rorosmartnan_cw-24

rorosmartnan_cw-25

80 thoughts on “Rørosmartnan – Winter market since 1841”

  12. Stunning images, Bente.
    Love the horses and sleds. What a wonderful way to open up a market for the season.
    (not sure about the fur coats though – they remind me of all the animals that it must have taken to make them. Admittedly, countries in the far north & more isolated regions do depend on their animals for cloth, food & shelter).

    Like

    Reply

    1. In earlier days your couldn’t survive around here without fur for clothing, Victoria. And the same goes for travelling in winter in the old way as these people do. Many of the coats they use today are very old, 100-200 years. I believe that if we kill a sheep or a reindeer to eat the meat, it is also good if we can use the fur, and not just trow it away. Thanks.

      Like

      Reply

  18. I wish I could experience this one day. Funny enough I was often in Norway indeed, but never in Røros. I was 2011 at the Rennebumartnan and it was very interesting and fun. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  20. Another winning post, Bente. The images portray a warm-hearted, contented folk. I suspect their lives are as tough as any but they certainly look as if they enjoy the market. You constantly leave me with a feeling that there is a corner of the world I have missed out on. Maybe there is still time…..

    Like

    Reply

  29. Magnifique photos …. toute l’ambiance de ces jours de marché se retrouve dans les images. Les chevaux sont splendides, les visages des participants tellement expressifs . Quelle fourrure est utilisée pour les grands manteaux ? ours ? Merci pour ce beau reportage ….il arriverait à me faire apprécier l’hiver 😉
    Ici, la neige fond, le soleil brille depuis quelques jours , aujourd’hui il fait 5,9 °

    Like

    Reply

    1. Robes sont souvent faits de peau de loup, et ensuite utiliser le tapis de peau de mouton. Peut-être utilisé d’autres peaux de peaux de loup n’obtiendrez pas aujourd’hui. Nous avons encore un hiver très beau, mais il sera agréable avec un peu de chaleur bientôt. Je vous remercie beaucoup.

      Like

      Reply

  37. Climate, winter, situations meet with the culture… How beautiful photographs… I am impressed so much dear Bente, and especially with number three I fall in love. Thank you, love, nia

    Like

    Reply

  39. Just fantastic photo … never heard about before .. and cold too. Just like winter should be this time of year .. up here in the North.
    Really enjoy this post.

    Like

    Reply

  44. Beautiful pics. I liked the horses. They were better than looking at the rosy cheeked people that looked a bit over stuffed in so much fur. How far do some of them travel to get there? What breed are the horses that can withstand the severe cold? And what kiind of animals is used for the fur coats? Too many questions? Ignore the comment. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. These are scandinavian horses of different kinds, horses can not do such hard work or endure such climate if they are arab or thoroughbred etc. And you know, to make such a journey, some of them travel for a week, some even crossing mountains, you really cannot do without the fur. Modern materials are not good enough. The fur they use for covering in the sledges are usually from sheep, sometimes reindeers. The fur coats are usually from wolves, and they are very old (100-200 years?), from before the wolf was a protected species. Just ask, Pets, I’ll try to answer.

      Like

      Reply

  52. Just LOVE>LOVE>LOVE the mood inspired by these pictures and the beautiful beasts- thanks for sharing. The smile of the girl is so genuine too!

    Like

    Reply

  57. Wonderful pictures, Bente! I love the horses and wooden sledges, the man talking on his cellphone and the woman in the red hat. Your people certainly know how to dress warmly enough so they can enjoy the festivities! Are some of the horses Norwegian Fjord horses?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes, there are always fjord horses among them (fjording). I guess the one being kissed is a fjording, and also the one in the 8th picture after the kiss. They ALWAYS have that pale colour. You can’t enjoy this festival without dressing properly. Thanks a lot for your comment.

      Like

      Reply

  65. This is amazing – I’m so glad this custom is still followed. I was thinking about there not being any down coats – just fur – and when I read the comments, it makes perfect sense. The horses’ manes are incredibly thick! It’s fun to read this, then I read about another blogger in Equador – it’s a very big, diverse world, and that’s a good thing. (Thank you also for visiting my blog)

    Like

    Reply

  69. Bente,Your images are so fresh and clean and colorfull and really…just true joy!

    p.s. just came back from your .no wow the images of venice film festival…and I liked a lot the Location where you shot the images of/for wilks design. you know..it’s just nice that a stranger can see that you are doing that what you love.
    have a great week
    🙂 from amsterdam

    Like

    Reply

  71. I’m probably the only persone visiting your blog (except you and your family) who actually had chance to use a horse sledge. I remember a ride of 12 km to a train station to bring home my older brother who was coming from school for Christmas vacation.

    Like

    Reply

  72. thank you fantastic images– i drive my Friesian for pleasure now to a 2 wheel cart – but i would love to hook him to a sleigh -wonderful story you present

    Like

    Reply

  73. Stunning photos of a beautiful topic!! It’s always interesting to see traditions in other cultures. That’s incredible the furs are so old! Looks freezing so I can understand the need for them.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment