Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are a few buses that run north of Torsby, but generally on weekdays only.
Falun
023 / Pop 56,700
An unlikely combination of industrial and adorable, Falun is home to the region's most
important copper mine and, as a consequence, the source of the deep-red paint that renders
Swedish country houses so uniformly cute. It's the main city of Dalarna, putting it within
easy striking distance of some of Sweden's best attractions, and the town itself is a pretty
place to roam. Falu Kopparbergsgruva (Copper Mountain Mine) is unique enough to ap-
pear on Unesco's World Heritage list. Even more compelling is the nearby home of painter
Carl Larsson, a work of art in itself and absolutely unmissable.
Sights & Activities
The Unesco World Heritage listing actually encompasses a much larger area than just the
Kopparbergsgruva. The free brochure
Discover the Falun World Heritage Site
places
Falun in historical context and pinpoints all the smelteries, slag heaps and mine estates
within a 10km radius of the town; pick it up at the mine entrance or the tourist office.
Falu Kopparbergsgruva
MINE
( 023-78 20 30;
www.falugruva.se
;
tours adult/child Skr210/80, above-ground only Skr80/40;
tours hourly 10am-5pm Jun-Aug, less frequent rest of year; ; 53, 708 Timmervägen)
Falun's copper mine was the world's most important by the 17th century; called 'Sweden's
treasure chest', it drove the small country's international aspirations. Entrance to the min-
ing complex is west of town at the top end of Gruvgatan. You can opt to take a one-hour
underground tour of the mines or simply explore above ground. For the mine tour, bring
warm clothing and good shoes. In summer tours in English happen hourly; from October
to April you should book ahead.
Don't miss the dramatic
Stora Stöten
(Great Pit), a vast hole caused by a major mine
collapse in the 17th century. By some miracle, the miners were on holiday that day and no
one was harmed. There are lookouts around the crater edge, and numerous mine buildings,
including a 15m waterwheel and shaft-head machinery.
