Similar to Engelsberg, The Great Copper Mountain in Falun is a living witness to the mining history of Sweden, an industry that together with the forest industry formed the backbone of the Swedish rise to power in the late 16th century. The copper mine in Falun produced the shining red metal for cathedrals and palaces across Europe as well as coloured all wooden houses in the dark red “Falu Rödfärg”, the cheapest and best paint available for centuries in Sweden. History also tells that during the 17th century, Falun accounted for 70% of all the copper produced in the world. Mining is thought to have started as early as the 8th century but industrial production got moving first during the Middle Ages. Mining in Falun ceased in 1992.

The mine turned from an underground activity to a large open pit when it the whole mine collapsed in the late 18th century and created the 95 meter deep and 350 metres wide pit that you see today. Mining has of course continued deeper and deeper, reaching as far as 900 meters underground. You can visit the mine on guided tours but you never go deeper than 55 meters, which is the oldest and most interesting part anyway.

Close to the mine is the town of Falun, with its decorative, dark red wooden houses that was seen all across Sweden in the hey-days of the mine. In the more modern centre you find traces of the mining industry almost everywhere, for example the pompous mining office.

It takes about 3 and a half hour to get to Falun from Stockholm by train and from the station to the entrance of the mine there is a 20 minute walk, making The Great Copper Mine of Falun a perfect Sunday excursion, exploring one of the cornerstones of the Swedish industrial heritage.

Also - don’t forget to try the Falu Sausage (Falukorv) - just as famous as the mine itself and the red paint!