Falun Mine
Ore mining started back in the 8th century, but the Falu Mine enjoyed its glory days in the 17th century. There was plenty of work on offer, which attracted many people to Falun. At that time, it was an important international town with a population of 6,000. A job at the mine meant extremely hard physical work, and exposure to risks of cave-ins, falls from great heights and serious lung diseases. But the wage was often better than in other jobs, so labour shortages were rare.
On Midsummer’s Day in late June 1687 the mine collapsed, forming Stora Stöten (the Great Pit). It was a miracle that no one was injured, because everyone was off work on that particular day.
Mining continued until 1992. The visitors’ mine comprises an exciting walking trail, from which you can make out countless passages and shafts in the darkness. Knowledgeable and dedicated guides tell you about the harsh life of the miners, and show you the tools they used – which really makes you think about what people were able to achieve without modern machinery.
Above ground the site includes the Världsarvshuset (world heritage centre), Gruvmuseet (mine museum), Rödfärgsverket (Falu Rödfärg paint plant), Gruvhospitalet (mine hospital) and historic buildings from various periods, which together take you on an exciting trip in time right up to today’s Swedish industrial society. The huge slagheaps nearby are further evidence that Stora Kopparberget (the Great Copper Mountain) was Sweden’s biggest workplace for several centuries.