Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arvidsjaur
0960 / Pop 6529
If you're coming from another town along the E45, Arvidsjaur, with its busy main street,
will seem like a bustling metropolis. Established several centuries ago as a Sami market-
place and meeting spot, Arvidsjaur is home to two dozen Sami families who still make a
living from reindeer herding.
Between December and April dozens of test drivers from different car companies des-
cend on the town to stage their own version of
Top Gear
- putting fast machines through
their paces on the frozen lakes.
Sights & Activities
Lappstaden
HISTORIC BUILDING
(Lappstadsgatan; tours Skr50; tours 6pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug)
The first church was built in Arvidsjaur in 1607, and church-attendance laws (urged by
zealous priests and enforced by the monarchy) imposed a certain amount of pew time upon
the nomadic Sami. To make their church visits manageable they built small, square cot-
tages with pyramid-shaped roofs
(gåhties)
for overnighting. Eighty
gåhties
are preserved
here, just across Storgatan from the modern church.
During the last weekend in August, Lappstaden hosts
Storstämningshelgen
, an annual
feast, party and Sami association meeting.
Steam Train
TRAIN RIDES
(adult/child Skr220/free)
From mid-July to mid-August an immensely popular 1930s steam train makes return even-
ing trips to Slagnäs on Friday and Saturday, departing at 5.45pm and returning around
10pm. It stops along the way at Storavan beach for a barbecue and swim.
Outdoor Lapland
OUTDOORS, SNOW SPORTS
(
070-260 05 37;
www.laplandraftingcafe.se
)
