The history of the city of Falun

Falun grew from a small mining settlement into one of Sweden’s most influential cities in the 17th century. Its preserved wooden districts, churches, and public buildings still reflect the wealth and power shaped by copper mining.

Falun is the city that grew up around the Mining Area to become one of Sweden's most important cities in the 17th century. The small mining community grew at the same rate as the income from the mine increased. The city became a political and economic center of great importance for the royal power. Authentic buildings, wooden districts, magnificent churches, a grand town hall and the meandering Falun River bear witness to a heyday that put Falun on the map.

In central Falun, you will also find the old miners' quarters and the wooden districts of Elsborg, Gamla Herrgården and Östanfors,where red houses predominate - many painted in Falun red paint. Much of the original architecture remains, reminiscent of how miners and cabin workers lived more than 300 years ago. The Great Square and the buildings around the square are also part of World Heritage. Here are the Town Hall (former prison), the Central Palace and Stora Enso's office. At the Great Square there is Kristine church and in Östanfors there is Stora Kopparbergs church where the miner Fat-Mats is buried.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, however, the air in central Falun was heavily attacked by sulfurous smoke from the mine and the cabins, which made living conditions difficult for people, plants and animals.