Falun

Falun is situated in the Dalarna Province of Sweden. It is the most populous town in the area with about 55,000 residents. Falun is also the capital of Dalarna which is also considered by many to be very the heart of Sweden.   The city of Falun was famous for its rich deposits of copper, thus was an important asset to the Swedish Empire. When the copper in the mines ran out, the area of the Great Copper Mountain became a valuable Falun attraction – as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is therefore, one of the must-see sites in the city where you can get an interesting tour of the mines some 65 metres below the ground.   Another tourist attraction in Falun is the Kristine Church which is located in the main square. It was built in 1655 during the renaissance period and is open to visitors from 10 AM to 4 PM. It houses two organs that date back to the year 1906 and 1982.   As the oldest building in the city, the Church of the Great Copper Mountain is a place that should always be included in every visitor's list of must-see destinations. The church was believed to have been built in the years between the 12th and 13th centuries. It also has a cemetery outside where the well-preserved body of a miner named Fret-Mats Israelsson was found, 42 years later after he died in the 1677 cave-in of the mines.   For those who are into doing some more activities in Falun, the Lugnet sports area offers many opportunities to play some sports, which include swimming, skiing, and hiking. The hills around The National Ski Stadium have a great cafe where one can get a panoramic view of the town. Or visitors can always watch a movie at the Östra Hamngatan then go bowling at the Scandic Hotel Lugnet.   For good food, travellers have a range of Falun restaurants to choose from. Aside from the usual McDonald's and pizzerias, visitors should try the Swedish fast food place Sibylla, or the Gandhis Gatukok which is located at the main square.