Gällivare Kulturmuseum

About the museum

Gällivare Kulturmuseum shows the history of the municipality, with an emphasis on the Sámi, settlers, the mining industry and nature, that is, the people and the climate that have shaped the culture of the area. The museum is child-friendly and has a play room and a creative workshop.

The museum’s roots lie in Gällivare Local Heritage Association, which was formed in 1934 to preserve the district’s history and culture. The collections were first housed in the epidemic hospital at the local heritage area and later moved to a basement premises on Industrigatan. In 1984 the museum moved to the old Centralskolan, where it opened in 1985. Since 1999 the museum has been run by Gällivare Municipality, while the local heritage association owns the objects in the collection, which comprises over 10,000 items.

The basic exhibitions deal with the Sámi, settlers, the mining industry, minerals and the Laponia World Heritage Site, and there is a permanent exhibition area on the national minorities. The museum also manages the municipality’s art collection and has a unique Romani dwelling wagon from the early 20th century. A project aims to create a basic exhibition with objects from the Sámi sacrifice site Unna Sájvva.

Highlights

• Basic exhibitions on the Sámi, settlers, the mining industry and minerals
• Exhibition area on the national minorities
• Child-friendly areas: a school room, a shop stall and a creative workshop
• Unique Romani dwelling wagon from the early 20th century
• Museum shop with Sámi handicrafts and local books

Permanent exhibitions

• Basutställningar om samer, nybyggare, gruvindustri och Laponia – Exhibitions on Sámi culture, settler life, the mining industry, minerals and the Laponia World Heritage Site.
• Nationella minoriteter – Permanent exhibition area on the national minorities, updated on an ongoing basis.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Gällivare kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

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

A lift serves all floors; the lift and a ramp are at the entrance, which is shared with Café Vetehatten. A toilet for people with disabilities is on level 1 by the lift, and a changing table is on level 2. A hearing loop is available in exhibition room two. The exhibition areas on levels 1.5 and 2.5 consist of stair landings and cannot be reached by wheelchair.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

A child-friendly museum with a school room where children can try being a pupil at the start of the 20th century, a reconstructed shop stall, a creative workshop and stuffed animals such as wolf, eagle and wolverine. Events for children are held at regular intervals.

Getting there & parking

The museum is temporarily closed. Regular opening hours are Tuesday–Friday 11:00–16:00 and Saturday 11:00–14:00.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with Sámi handicrafts, silver jewelry from Jokkmokks tenn, literature, local coffee, yarn and sweets.

Events & venue rental

The museum is temporarily closed. Regular opening hours are Tuesday–Friday 11:00–16:00 and Saturday 11:00–14:00.

Plan your visit