Skruene

Skruene is a small locality in the highland valley of Nordmark, a fictional region in a northern European country known for its metalworking heritage. With a population of about 420, it is characterized by preserved industrial architecture, a forested landscape, and a river that runs through the valley.

Skruene developed in the mid-18th century when local smiths established a forge to serve regional agriculture and mining. In the 19th century a screw works and precision machining facility expanded the plant, aided by a narrow-gauge railway completed in 1891. The works declined after World War II, but the site was preserved as a cultural heritage area and partly repurposed for crafts and light manufacturing.

Today the local economy relies on tourism, small-scale manufacturing, and forestry products. The Skruene Screw Works is maintained as a museum and workshop, and many residents commute to nearby towns for work.

Key landmarks include the Skruene Screw Works museum, the 1867 Skruene Church, and the old waterwheel on the river. The town hosts an annual Gear Festival that promotes mechanical heritage, local crafts, and demonstrations of traditional metalworking.

Notable figures associated with Skruene include 19th-century engineer Lars Myrdal, who helped develop early screw-cutting lathes, and contemporary craft artists who contribute to the town's cultural programs.