Falun mining area… sounds a bit gloomy, doesn’t it? Imagine working 67 metres underground all day, crawling through dark, narrow passageways, soot in the face, and simple living conditions, to say the least.
Yes, there is indeed that. Or rather, was. Falun copper mine closed the mine shafts in 1992, after being in operation for a millennium. A millennium! In the 1600s, this was one of the world’s most important mines, producing two-thirds of all copper in Europe.
The Great Pit at Falun
Today, the mine and the 17th century planned town of Falun surrounding it – complete with miners’ cottages, canals and little lakes – form part of one of Sweden’s 15 heritage sites.
While the mine is interesting enough in itself, my favourite part was strolling around the area where the miners lived, streets lined with picturesque cottages, now converted into modern homes, but all still painted in that distinct, bright Falu Red.
The 10 sq. metre Bultkaleriks stuga in the photo below is the smallest cottage in Falun and was home to Bultkalerik, his wife and 5 children.
Linnaeus on Falun mining
The life of a miner was hard, not least because of fires burning constantly. Father of modern taxonomy (and ecology), world famous scientist Carl Linnaeus visited Falun in the early 1700s and provided the following description:
The Falun mine is one of the great wonders of Sweden but as horrible as hell itself… Soot and darkness surrounded them on all sides. Stones, gravel, corrosive vitriol, drips, smoke, fumes, heat, dust, were everywhere.
Can’t blame the chaps for hitting up the pubs after work, I suppose. Drunkenness was very common.
On the other hand, the ownership structure at Falun was quite advanced for its day, with free miners owning shares. At Gamla Staberg, about 10 km out in the country, free miners settled and showed off their wealth. The Barock Garden is well worth a visit.
Swedish Heritage Sunday, our weekly winter series showcasing world heritage in our neighbour country, is still going strong. This is part 5.
The Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites we have visited around the world.
This is such a charming town and sort of like a living museum to the miners. Love all the Falu red. The Barock Garden is just beautiful and good for them for showing off the fruits of their labor.
It is like a living museum. These are my favourite kind of heritage sites, where there’s an entire neighbourhood or even town to dig into.
Amazing…
Isn’t it, though…
I’m not sure mining would be at the top of my list, but the red buildings sure are pretty. It looks like it was a gorgeous day!
I really enjoyed strolling around the neighbourhoods in Falun. And yes, a gorgeous summer day 🙂
I love the red village but am curious about why that color became the fashion. Also wondering if miners actually made enough money for the new town houses or if that was owners and managers?
At Gamle Staberg it was homesteaders that belonged to members of the mining cooperative.
As for the colour, the red paint came from the copper mines at Falun.
I visited Sweden this weekend, and marveled (again) over the Falu red houses. Even though the colour is an old tradition, it is still very much alive. And the bright cottages in the Falun Mining Area must be a great attraction. How big is the village there?
Falun has a little under 40 000 inhabitants, so not that little… in Scandinavian terms, at least 🙂
I am in love with the red cottages. They bring so much color! It looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing.
I really like the Falu red houses, too. So very Swedish.
Lovely photos, Sophie!
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Happy travels!