Falun Copper Mine was once the biggest copper mine in Europe. At its peak in the 17th century, it accounted for 70% of the western world’s copper production. The importance for the Swedish economy was enormous.
Copper from Falun was used for castle roofs, church bells, coins and household utensils all over the world. When the mine was closed in 1992, mining had been going on for 1 000 years. Today Falun Mine, as a part of the Falun World Heritage site, is on Unesco’s World Heritage List because it is considered so valuable that it is a concern for the whole of humanity. It is considered to be one of the best-preserved historic mining areas in the world. A tour of the Falun mine is a trip through history.