Our cottage is located in the district called Bergslagen. The rocks and the trees have supported the people here since time immemorial. Iron mining and wood working are integral parts of the tradition. The landscape provides an ideal base for countless side trips into surrounding areas. The Mines at Flogberget (15 km), for example, is a mining area from the early 1600´s with some 15 mine shafts. Exiting guided tours and a play is performed (of the minor’s life in the past) from June to August. In the end of July there is Dan Andersson week, a week commemorating the well-known Swedish song writer Dan Andersson, who reflects the history of the Bergslagen. Sweden has twelve sites on the World Heritage List (UNESCO), two of the object you will find in Bergslagen: Engelsbergs Bruk (Fagersta) and The Great Cupper Mountain (Falun). See also Ekomuseum Bergslagen.
At midsummer, 25-26 June (-04), traditional Swedish celebrations are staged all across Dalarna.
Visit the home of Carl Larsson (Sundborn, Falun), one of the most beloved Swedish artists.
Enjoy the Falu Folkmusik Festival (80 km): “The 19th edition of the major folk/world music event in Scandinavia will feature top artists from all continents with the best of world, traditional, roots, ethnic and folk music from the whole world”. July 10th – 18th 2004. Or Dalhalla (Rättvik 140 km), one of the worlds most beautiful open air stages, with first-class music . Open from May to September. Another annual music festival is Musik vid Siljan (=Music by the lake Siljan), 3 - 11juli 2004.
Visit Sala Silver Mine, which has been Sweden’s richest silver mine. If you have luck you maybe have the opportunity to see some of the thousand bats that are living in the mine…
Go to the nice village Norberg (28 km) and Elsa Andersson´s Café. You will be served a cup of coffee from a cupper can, with home baked pastry. The house was built in the 1700th and the interior is antique.
Around Västerås there is a lot of beautiful castles. See also www.royalcourt.se. Don´t forget to visit Stockholm! It´s only two hours drive to get there.