Falun
Encyclopedia
Falun (ˈfɑːˈlɵnː) is a city and the seat of Falun Municipality
in Dalarna County
, Sweden
, with 36,447 inhabitants in 2005. It is also the capital of Dalarna County
. Falun forms, together with Borlänge
, a metropolitan area
with close to 100,000 inhabitants.
Falun was originally famous for its copper mine
, and is today an important service and industrial city even though the mine is closed (since 1992).
is believed to be the oldest still-existing enterprise in the world, proved active since 1347, when its charter was granted by King Magnus IV of Sweden
. The first share in the company is dated as early as 1288.
However, an enterprise at that time was nothing more than a cooperation among the owners, each contributing with a share of money for constructions, tools, etc., necessary to run the organisation. Depending on their contribution they could use the facilities and share the profit according to the relative share they contributed.
The city of Falun received its privileges in 1641. By then Falun was already one of the largest cities in Sweden, with about 6000 inhabitants. Soon, however, the importance of the copper mine began to decrease. In 1687, parts of the mine collapsed in a landslide
, creating an 100 m deep pit. Even though the mine remained in use for the next 300 years, the production gradually diminished, until it closed down in 1992.
The mining area of the Great Copper Mountain
has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
, which also was the name of the mining company of Falun, is today a part of Stora Enso
.
In sports, Falun hosts the annual Swedish Ski Games at its skiing arena Lugnet, Falun
. The city's most successful sport team is the bandy
team Falu BS which has played in the Swedish top division for many years. Also, IBF Falun, the floorball
male and female teams have been very successful. Falu FK
play in in Division 2 Norra Svealand.
Lugnet, Falun
Stadion has also hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
three times: 1954
, 1974
, and most recently in 1993
.
The city lost out to Calgary
, Canada
, in 1981 for the 1988 Winter Olympics
. Again, Falun applied for the 1992 Winter Olympics
but lost out to Albertville
, France, in 1986. The city lost despite the best efforts of one of ABBA
's singers who recorded a single in support of the bid.
Falun is the hometown of The Battle, one of the world's most famous snowboard competitions.
Iron
and Copper
byproducts from the mine are still used as a paint ingredient, in the production of the nationally well known and culturally important Falu Red
paint, particularly used on wooden houses.
Falun Municipality
Falun Municipality is a municipality in Dalarna County in central Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Falun.The present municipality was formed at the time of the local government reform of 1971, when the City of Falun and six surrounding rural municipalities were amalgamated.- Localities...
in Dalarna County
Dalarna County
Dalarna County is a county or län in middle Sweden. It borders the counties of Jämtland, Gävleborg, Västmanland, Örebro and Värmland. It is also bordered by the Norwegian counties of Hedmark and Sør-Trøndelag in the west...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, with 36,447 inhabitants in 2005. It is also the capital of Dalarna County
Dalarna County
Dalarna County is a county or län in middle Sweden. It borders the counties of Jämtland, Gävleborg, Västmanland, Örebro and Värmland. It is also bordered by the Norwegian counties of Hedmark and Sør-Trøndelag in the west...
. Falun forms, together with Borlänge
Borlänge
Borlänge is a locality and the seat of Borlänge Municipality in Dalarna County, Sweden, with 49200 inhabitants in 2011.- History :Originally Borlänge was the name of a tiny village, and the first historical information about it is from 1390. The village was insignificant up until about 1870...
, a metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
with close to 100,000 inhabitants.
Falun was originally famous for its copper mine
Great Copper Mountain
Great Copper Mountain was a mine in Falun, Sweden, that operated for a millennium from the 10th century to 1992. It produced as much as two thirds of Europe's copper needs and helped fund many of Sweden's wars in the 17th century. Technological developments at the mine had a profound influence on...
, and is today an important service and industrial city even though the mine is closed (since 1992).
History
The town of Falun is known to have existed in the 14th century as a market place for the surrounding lands. Mining for copper had been a local business since the mid-13th century, or possibly as early as 1000, and the organisation for the extracting of copper and gold from the Great Copper MountainGreat Copper Mountain
Great Copper Mountain was a mine in Falun, Sweden, that operated for a millennium from the 10th century to 1992. It produced as much as two thirds of Europe's copper needs and helped fund many of Sweden's wars in the 17th century. Technological developments at the mine had a profound influence on...
is believed to be the oldest still-existing enterprise in the world, proved active since 1347, when its charter was granted by King Magnus IV of Sweden
Magnus IV of Sweden
Magnus Eriksson as Magnus IV was king of Sweden , including Finland, as Magnus VII King of Norway , including Iceland and Greenland, and also ruled Scania . He has also vindictively been called Magnus Smek...
. The first share in the company is dated as early as 1288.
However, an enterprise at that time was nothing more than a cooperation among the owners, each contributing with a share of money for constructions, tools, etc., necessary to run the organisation. Depending on their contribution they could use the facilities and share the profit according to the relative share they contributed.
The city of Falun received its privileges in 1641. By then Falun was already one of the largest cities in Sweden, with about 6000 inhabitants. Soon, however, the importance of the copper mine began to decrease. In 1687, parts of the mine collapsed in a landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
, creating an 100 m deep pit. Even though the mine remained in use for the next 300 years, the production gradually diminished, until it closed down in 1992.
The mining area of the Great Copper Mountain
Great Copper Mountain
Great Copper Mountain was a mine in Falun, Sweden, that operated for a millennium from the 10th century to 1992. It produced as much as two thirds of Europe's copper needs and helped fund many of Sweden's wars in the 17th century. Technological developments at the mine had a profound influence on...
has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, which also was the name of the mining company of Falun, is today a part of Stora Enso
Stora Enso
Stora Enso Oyj is a Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer, formed by the merger of Swedish mining and forestry products company Stora and Finnish forestry products company Enso-Gutzeit Oy in 1998. It is headquartered in Helsinki, and it has approximately 29,000 employees...
.
Today
For education, the city holds part of the University College of Dalarna (Högskolan Dalarna).In sports, Falun hosts the annual Swedish Ski Games at its skiing arena Lugnet, Falun
Lugnet, Falun
Lugnet is a large sport complex located in Falun, Sweden.58 of the Swedish Sports Confederation's 67 special sports can be practiced there. There are 6 full sized indoor pitches in the area where everything from dance to association football can be played or performed. There are also an ice arena...
. The city's most successful sport team is the bandy
Bandy
Bandy is a team winter sport played on ice, in which skaters use sticks to direct a ball into the opposing team's goal.The rules of the game have many similarities to those of association football: the game is played on a rectangle of ice the same size as a football field. Each team has 11 players,...
team Falu BS which has played in the Swedish top division for many years. Also, IBF Falun, the floorball
Floorball
Floorball, a type of floor hockey, is an indoor team sport which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. Floorball is most popular in areas where the sport has developed the longest, such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The game is played...
male and female teams have been very successful. Falu FK
Falu FK
Falu FK is a Swedish football club located in Falun in Dalarna County. -Background:Falu FK was founded on the 27th February 2006 following a joint initiative of the football sections of Falu BS, Slätta SK und Korsnäs IF FK clubs. The men's teams of the top two clubs merged in September of that year...
play in in Division 2 Norra Svealand.
Lugnet, Falun
Lugnet, Falun
Lugnet is a large sport complex located in Falun, Sweden.58 of the Swedish Sports Confederation's 67 special sports can be practiced there. There are 6 full sized indoor pitches in the area where everything from dance to association football can be played or performed. There are also an ice arena...
Stadion has also hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
three times: 1954
1954 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1954 took place February 13-21, 1954 in Falun, Sweden. These were the first races where women competed with events in the 10 km and 3 x 5 km relay. It also saw the 18 km reduced to 15 km in men's cross country along with the return of the 30 km which was last...
, 1974
1974 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1974 took place February 16-24, 1974 in Falun, Sweden. This was the second time this city hosted the event having done so in 1954...
, and most recently in 1993
1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1993 took place 19–28 February 1993 in Falun, Sweden, for the third time . This event saw the creation of the combined pursuit where competitors would skate one distance in the classical interval style one day, then follow the next day in the freestyle...
.
The city lost out to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in 1981 for the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
. Again, Falun applied for the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
but lost out to Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
, France, in 1986. The city lost despite the best efforts of one of ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
's singers who recorded a single in support of the bid.
Falun is the hometown of The Battle, one of the world's most famous snowboard competitions.
Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
and Copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
byproducts from the mine are still used as a paint ingredient, in the production of the nationally well known and culturally important Falu Red
Falu red
Falu red or Falun red is the name of a Swedish, deep red paint well known for its use on wooden cottages and barns. The paint originated from the copper mine at Falun in Dalarna, Sweden. The traditional colour remains popular today due to its effectiveness in preserving wood. In Finland, it is...
paint, particularly used on wooden houses.
Notable residents and former residents of Falun
- Ferdinand BobergFerdinand BobergFerdinand Boberg, born 11 April 1860 in Falun, died 7 May 1946 in Stockholm, was a Swedish architect.He was one of the most productive and prominent architects of Stockholm around the turn of the 20th century. Among his most famous work is an electrical plant at Björns Trädgård in Stockholm, that...
, architect - Björn Dixgård, musician
- Guledimus Prime, architect, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, and writer
- Mattias FlinkMattias FlinkMattias Flink is a Swedish spree killer who killed seven people on June 11, 1994, in Falun, Sweden. He was at the time a fänrik in the Swedish Army.-Early years:...
, mass murderer - Maria HjorthMaria HjorthMaria Anna "Mimmi" Hjorth is a Swedish professional golfer. She attended the University of Stirling in Scotland. She won more than twenty amateur titles including the 1995 European Ladies Amateur Championship. She turned professional in 1996 and played mainly on the Ladies European Tour that year...
, golfer - Patrick Johansson, drummer
- Tomas JonssonTomas JonssonTomas Jonsson, is a former ice hockey player from Sweden. He is the current head coach of EfB Ishockey in the Danish AL-Bank Ligaen and assistant coach for the Danish national ice hockey team...
, ice hockey player - Anders KallurAnders KallurAnders Kallur is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey player.Kallur played for Modo Hockey and Södertälje SK before moving to Djurgårdens IF in 1978. He was awarded Guldpucken as the best player of the 1978–79 season...
, ice hockey player - Jenny KallurJenny KallurJenny Margareta Kallur is a former Swedish track and field athlete who competed in hurdling and sprinting events. Her twin sister Susanna Kallur, whom she is four minutes older than, is also a 100 m hurdler...
, athlete, World Championships finalist 2005 in 100 m hurdles - Susanna KallurSusanna KallurSusanna Elisabeth Kallur is a Swedish athlete competing mainly in sprint hurdles. She has won several international medals, including the gold medal in the 100 m hurdles at the 2006 European Athletics Championships...
, athlete, had the world indoor record on 60 m hurdles - Lina LeanderssonLina LeanderssonLina Leandersson is a Swedish child actress. She played a lead role in the 2008 Swedish romantic vampire film Let the Right One In, based on the novel by the same name. Born in Falun, Leandersson started performing at an early age. She acted in local amateur theatre performances, and had a few...
, actress - Marcus LjungqvistMarcus LjungqvistMarcus Ljungqvist is a Swedish former professional road bicycle racer. He turned professional in 1998, and retired from racing after the 2009 season...
, road bicycle racer - Thomas QuickThomas QuickThomas Quick is a convicted Swedish serial killer who has confessed to more than 30 murders, although he has only eight convictions, two of which have been overturned...
, serial murderer - Lars Tures, food and wine expert
- SabatonSabaton (band)Sabaton is a Grammis-nominated power metal band from Falun, Sweden formed in 1999. The band's main lyrical themes are those of historical wars. This is heard in albums Primo Victoria, Attero Dominatus and Coat of Arms where all of the songs, except final tracks, take inspiration from historical...
, power metalPower metalPower metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band - Ulf StenlundUlf StenlundUlf Stenlund is a former tennis player from Sweden, who won one single and one doubles title during his professional career. The right-hander reached his highest singles ATP-ranking on 27 April 1987, when he became the number 23 of the world.-References:...
, tennis player - Gunnar Säve-SöderberghGunnar Säve-SöderberghGunnar Säve-Söderbergh was a Swedish palaeontologist and geologist. Säve-Söderbergh was born at Falun, the son of the neurologist Gotthard Söderbergh and Inga Säve. He passed his G.C.E. at Gothenburg in 1928 and took bachelor's and licentiate's degrees at Uppsala University in 1931 and 1933,...
, palaeontologist - Ernst RolfErnst RolfErnst Rolf, real name Ernst Ragnar Johansson, , was a Swedish revue actor and singer. In the 1920s he was famous for producing revues that were acclaimed for their dazzling sets, first class actors and stirring music. He was also a lyricist and composer...
, actor and singer - Georg SkarstedtGeorg SkarstedtGeorg Skarstedt was a Swedish film actor. He appeared in 127 films between 1920 and 1969.-Selected filmography:* Music in Darkness * Mästerdetektiven lever farligt * Miss April...
, actor - Georg StiernhielmGeorg StiernhielmGeorg Stiernhielm was a Swedish civil servant, linguist and poet. Stiernhielm was born in a middle-class family in the village Svartskär in Vika parish in Dalarna...
, civil servant, linguist and poet - Putte WickmanPutte WickmanPutte Wickman was one of the world's leading jazz clarinetists.He was born Hans Olof Wickman in Falun, and grew up in Borlänge, Sweden, where his parents hoped he would become a lawyer. He nagged them to allow him to go to high school in Stockholm...
, jazz clarinetist - Walter SteinerWalter SteinerWalter Steiner is a Swiss ski jumper who was active in the 1970's.Steiner earned a ski jumping silver medal in the Individual large hill at the 1972 Winter Olympics...
, ski jumper - Joakim Broden singer for heavy metal band sabaton
In popular culture
The short story "Die Bergwerke zu Falun" ("The Mines of Falun") was published by E. T. A. Hoffmann in 1819.See also
- Biathlon World ChampionshipsBiathlon World ChampionshipsThe first Biathlon World Championships was held in 1958, with individual and team contests for men. The number of events has grown significantly over the years. Beginning in 1984, women biathletes had their own World Championships, and finally, from 1989, both genders have been participating in...
- FalukorvFalukorvFalukorv is a large traditional Swedish sausage made of a grated mixture of pork and beef or veal with potato starch flour and mild spices.-History:...
- Great Copper MountainGreat Copper MountainGreat Copper Mountain was a mine in Falun, Sweden, that operated for a millennium from the 10th century to 1992. It produced as much as two thirds of Europe's copper needs and helped fund many of Sweden's wars in the 17th century. Technological developments at the mine had a profound influence on...
- GruvrisskolanGruvrisskolanGruvrisskolan is an elementary school located in Falun, Sweden. The school, built in 1992, was the first "F-9" school in Falun.The school holds a good score in the Swedish school ranking system.-Notable alumni:...
- elementary school - Mattias FlinkMattias FlinkMattias Flink is a Swedish spree killer who killed seven people on June 11, 1994, in Falun, Sweden. He was at the time a fänrik in the Swedish Army.-Early years:...
- Thomas QuickThomas QuickThomas Quick is a convicted Swedish serial killer who has confessed to more than 30 murders, although he has only eight convictions, two of which have been overturned...
Sports
The following sports clubs are located in Falun:- Falu FKFalu FKFalu FK is a Swedish football club located in Falun in Dalarna County. -Background:Falu FK was founded on the 27th February 2006 following a joint initiative of the football sections of Falu BS, Slätta SK und Korsnäs IF FK clubs. The men's teams of the top two clubs merged in September of that year...
- Korsnäs IF FKKorsnäs IF FKKorsnäs IF FK is a Swedish football club located in Falun. -Background:Korsnäs IF FK currently plays in Division 4 Dalarna which is the sixth tier of Swedish football. They play their home matches at the Dalavallen in Falun....
- Slätta SKSlätta SKSlätta SK is a Swedish football club located in Falun. -Background:Slätta SK currently plays in Division 5 Dalarna Norra which is the seventh tier of Swedish football. They play their home matches at the Dalavallen in Falun....
Annual music concert
Starting in 2008 Falun has been the home of a Rock and metal concert called Rockstad FalunExternal links
- Falun - Official site