Falu koppargruva

About the museum

The Falu copper mine, also called Stora Kopparberget, has been mined for hundreds of years, and in the 1600s almost all the copper in Europe came from Falun. The town was then one of Sweden’s largest and had leading expertise in technology and engineering. Mining ended with the last blasting in December 1992, and since then the mine has been developed into a visitor attraction.

Falun has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2001. The Falun World Heritage site consists of the mine, the town of Falun and the surrounding mining landscape, and the assessment is based on the fact that the Falu mine helped shape the modern industrial society of Sweden. The World Heritage House by the mine was built in connection with the designation and serves as the visitor guide to the whole World Heritage site.

In the area there is the open-cast pit Stora Stöten, nearly 100 metres deep, historic buildings such as Creutz lave, Vaschet and the Linslageriet, historic miners’ housing, and the Gruvmuseet. Visitors can join a guided tour underground, where the temperature is around six degrees above zero all year round. The operation is run by Falu Gruva, and Stiftelsen Stora Kopparberget (the Stora Kopparberget Foundation) is mentioned on the website as part of the organisation.

Highlights

• Guided tour underground through the mine’s chambers and passages
• The open-cast pit Stora Stöten, nearly 100 metres deep
• Gruvmuseet, Sweden’s first technical museum
• Historic buildings such as Creutz lave and Vaschet
• World Heritage House with film and information on the Falun World Heritage site
• The mine promenade around Stora Stöten

Permanent exhibitions

• Gruvmuseet – The museum tells of the mine’s history of about 1,000 years, from the Viking Age to the World Heritage designation in 2001, with mine ladders, copper ore and the mine’s emergency hospital, among other things.
• Historiska byggnader på gruvområdet – Open buildings such as Vaschet (the ore-sorting house), the Linslageriet and the Trådvalsverket show the work at the mine.

Founded

900

Operated by

Stiftelsen Stora Kopparberget

Admission & discounts

Prices and availability of tours vary with the season and are shown in the booking system before purchase. The ticket covers the walk around Stora Stöten, the open historic buildings, the viewing tower and the films in the World Heritage House. The Gruvmuseet is included in the ticket when it is open, and the museum can also be visited on a museum ticket alone. Companions have free admission to the Gruvmuseet.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The tour underground cannot be made accessible, and all participants must be able to climb up via emergency exits with stairs. The Gruvmuseet with Gruvans konsthall (the mine’s art hall) has ramps and a lift, marked stairs with handrails and an accessible toilet, and guide and signal dogs are welcome in the museum. The World Heritage House has entrances at ground level, and the restaurant Geschwornergården has an entrance ramp. In the museum’s film hall a 30-minute film replaces the tour underground, with Swedish narration and English subtitles, and also with sign language and audio description in Swedish. Accessible toilets are in the Gruvmuseet and in the visitor centre.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 3+

• Hands-on stations

The tour underground is for children from the age of three. The Gruvmuseet is described as an interactive adventure for all ages, where visitors can climb mine ladders, touch copper ore and test how rocks are formed.

Getting there & parking

Follow the signs from the E16 or road 293. From central Falun a pedestrian and cycle path runs via Elsborg and Bergshauptmansgatan out to the mine area.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Restaurant Geschwornergården (lunch) and Gjuthuset Café & Butik, which in summer has a terrace facing Stora Stöten; the pizzeria P-za by Oscars lave. The mine shop sells souvenirs. Bags and outdoor clothing can be left in the Gruvmuseet. Packed lunches may be eaten outdoors and in the World Heritage House, but may not be heated on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Falu Gruva offers conferences and events in eight of its own premises, many with views over Stora Stöten.

Plan your visit