Falun

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,{{cite web |url=http://www.dalarna.se/kulturidalarna/eng/falugruva.html |title=The Falun copper mine |access-date=2008-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220110026/http://www.dalarna.se/kulturidalarna/eng/falugruva.html |archive-date=2009-02-20 }} and the organisation for the extracting of copper and gold from Stora Kopparberget 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 cooperative among the owners, each contributing with a share of money for construction, tools, etc., necessary to run the organisation. Depending on their contributions they could use the facilities and share the profits in proportion to the relative sizes of their individual contributions.

File:falun1.jpg|Falun town hall (Rådhuset)

File:falun2.jpg|House in Falun

File:falun3.jpg|View from ski-jump on Falun

File:StKbka2.JPG|Stora Kopparbergs kyrka

File:Church Falun.jpg|Church in Falun

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 a 100 m deep pit.{{cite web|title=History of Falun Mine |url=http://www.kopparberget.com/en/Falu-Gruva/Visit-us/History-of-Falu-Mine/ |access-date=28 December 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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 Falun Mine 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.

During World War II, Falun was the place where the authorities "interned" British and American airmen who happened to land in Sweden or reached the country after landing in German-controlled territories. Unlike civilian refugees from Germany, who were kept in internment camps throughout the country, British and American airmen were placed in hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in the Falun area, and enjoyed relative freedom.Jöran Granberg, [Memories of the Framby Internment Camp in Falun Sweden, 1942-1944], 2008

Falun has a humid continental climate (Dfb).

Winter is the longest season lasting approximately from mid-November until the end of March, although March daytime temperatures tend to be mild.{{cite web |url=http://www.falun.se/www/english.nsf/doc/D3DC73723BA8B6E7C1256DFD0055910E |title=Climate - English |access-date=2012-04-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204061617/http://www.falun.se/www/english.nsf/doc/D3DC73723BA8B6E7C1256DFD0055910E |archive-date=2012-02-04 }} With an average high temperature of {{convert|23|C|1}}, July is the warmest month. However, the all-time heat record was set on August 4, 2014, when {{convert|35.1|C|F}} was measured. This was, in turn, the highest measured temperature of the intense heatwave that summer that affected most of Scandinavia.{{cite web|url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/manadens-vader-och-vatten/2.1118/augusti-2014-extremt-regnig-i-vastra-gotaland-1.76746 |title=August Monthly Weather (Swedish) |publisher=SMHI |access-date=26 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609071552/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/manadens-vader-och-vatten/2.1118/augusti-2014-extremt-regnig-i-vastra-gotaland-1.76746 |archive-date=9 June 2015 }} The climate of Falun is more continental than most of Sweden since it is relatively far from large bodies of waters moderating temperatures. As a result, the highs of July in Falun are normally warmer than many areas much further south in the country. Winters, however, are cold but also highly variable due to the proximity to some maritime influence that often brings mild temperatures above freezing, moderating average temperatures.

The most precipitation occurs during the summer months of July and August.

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Falun is {{convert|-40.0|C|1}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/vintern-2010-2011-vinterns-lagsta-temperaturer-1.15196|title=Vintern 2010-2011: Vinterns lägsta temperaturer | SMHI|access-date=2012-04-17|archive-date=2012-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119025946/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/vintern-2010-2011-vinterns-lagsta-temperaturer-1.15196|url-status=dead}} The weather station has however, not recorded below {{convert|-37.2|C|F}} according to the open data.

{{Weather box

|location = Falun (2002–2018 averages; sunshine in Borlänge; extremes since 1901)

|collapsed =

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 12.2

|Feb record high C = 12.0

|Mar record high C = 17.9

|Apr record high C = 26.4

|May record high C = 29.8

|Jun record high C = 33.2

|Jul record high C = 33.3

|Aug record high C = 35.1

|Sep record high C = 27.0

|Oct record high C = 21.8

|Nov record high C = 15.3

|Dec record high C = 12.2

|year record high C = 35.1

|Jan avg record high C = 5.0

|Feb avg record high C = 6.3

|Mar avg record high C = 13.3

|Apr avg record high C = 19.3

|May avg record high C = 25.2

|Jun avg record high C = 27.8

|Jul avg record high C = 29.8

|Aug avg record high C = 27.8

|Sep avg record high C = 22.0

|Oct avg record high C = 15.6

|Nov avg record high C = 10.4

|Dec avg record high C = 6.2

|year avg record high C = 30.9

|Jan high C = -1.9

|Feb high C = -0.6

|Mar high C = 4.5

|Apr high C = 11.2

|May high C = 17.0

|Jun high C = 20.9

|Jul high C = 23.6

|Aug high C = 21.3

|Sep high C = 16.3

|Oct high C = 8.7

|Nov high C = 3.4

|Dec high C = -0.1

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = -4.9

|Feb mean C = -4.0

|Mar mean C = -0.1

|Apr mean C = 5.5

|May mean C = 11.1

|Jun mean C = 15.1

|Jul mean C = 17.9

|Aug mean C = 16.2

|Sep mean C = 11.8

|Oct mean C = 5.3

|Nov mean C = 0.9

|Dec mean C = -2.9

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = -7.9

|Feb low C = -7.4

|Mar low C = -4.7

|Apr low C = -0.2

|May low C = 5.1

|Jun low C = 9.2

|Jul low C = 12.1

|Aug low C = 11.0

|Sep low C = 7.2

|Oct low C = 1.8

|Nov low C = -1.6

|Dec low C = -5.7

|year low C =

|Jan avg record low C = -20.1

|Feb avg record low C = -17.8

|Mar avg record low C = -13.5

|Apr avg record low C = -6.1

|May avg record low C = -1.9

|Jun avg record low C = 3.4

|Jul avg record low C = 6.6

|Aug avg record low C = 4.6

|Sep avg record low C = 0.3

|Oct avg record low C = -5.7

|Nov avg record low C = -10.4

|Dec avg record low C = -16.2

|year avg record low C = -22.4

|Jan record low C = -35.6

|Feb record low C = -37.2

|Mar record low C = -28.6

|Apr record low C = -19.0

|May record low C = -10.0

|Jun record low C = -2.2

|Jul record low C = 2.5

|Aug record low C = 0.4

|Sep record low C = -5.1

|Oct record low C = -14.0

|Nov record low C = -24.0

|Dec record low C = -35.6

|year record low C = -37.2

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 41.0

|Feb precipitation mm = 28.7

|Mar precipitation mm = 24.9

|Apr precipitation mm = 26.5

|May precipitation mm = 52.4

|Jun precipitation mm = 68.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 77.0

|Aug precipitation mm = 79.1

|Sep precipitation mm = 43.5

|Oct precipitation mm = 58.0

|Nov precipitation mm = 46.8

|Dec precipitation mm = 37.8

|year precipitation mm =

|Jan sun = 47.7

|Feb sun = 74.8

|Mar sun = 164.0

|Apr sun = 213.8

|May sun = 238.5

|Jun sun = 257.7

|Jul sun = 256.8

|Aug sun = 210.9

|Sep sun = 157.8

|Oct sun = 107.3

|Nov sun = 54.4

|Dec sun = 47.0

|year sun =

|source 1 = SMHI Open Data{{cite web

| url =https://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer/#param=precipitationMonthlySum,stations=all,stationid=105370

| title =Open Data

| publisher =Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute

| language =sv

| access-date =2019-04-23

| archive-date =2019-04-11

| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190411092753/https://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer#param=precipitationMonthlySum,stations=all,stationid=105370

| url-status =dead

}}

|source 2 = SMHI average data 2002–2018{{cite web

| url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240

| title=Monthly Data

| publisher=Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute

| date=23 April 2019

| access-date=26 March 2015

| archive-date=2 May 2019

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502092934/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240

| url-status=dead

}}

|date=April 2019}}

{{climate chart

| Falun

|-7.9|-1.9|41.0

|-7.4|-0.6|28.7

|-4.7|4.5|24.9

|-0.2|11.2|26.5

|5.1|17.0|52.4

|9.2|20.9|68.6

|12.1|23.6|77.0

|11.0|21.3|79.1

|7.2|16.3|43.5

|1.8|8.7|58.0

|-1.6|3.4|46.8

|-5.7|-0.1|37.8

|float=left

|clear=right

}}

Stora Gruvstugan was designed by Eric Geisler and built between 1771 and 1785 in a Rococo Style, also referred to as Late Baroque. The building is situated by Falun Copper Mine and used to be the main office to the copper mine. In 1882 the building was rebuilt into Berslagets museum. At the beginning of 1920, the mining came close to the structure which made it fragile and extensive repairs were made to the building.

Västra Skolan was built in 1915, based on a design by the city architect in Falun, Klas Boman. The building functioned as a school up until 2010. The tower was a replica of Kristine Kyrka, XVIIth century parish church of Falun, from which one could view the entire low built the city.

Egnellska Huset was built in 1903, and was designed by Falun's first city architect, Klas Boman. The building functioned as a modern residential building. The building was initially a light yellow color and then later recolored in a more bright yellow color. After two separate fires in 2007 and 2008, the building was restored to its original appearance.

Falugatan is a street in Falun and has since the 15th century functioned as a connection between eastern and western Falun. Thanks to its location by the river, this site became an important commerce site for the city. When Falun, officially became a city, in 1641, it was this street that named the city to Falun. The street kept its appearance up until the 1960s when Falun was modernized architectural. During the 1960', four of the five 18th century buildings were demolished and today, the Körsnerska Huset is the only one remaining in its original appearance.

Centralpalatset is a building located on Stora Torget in Falun and is a monumental building, decorated in Art Nouveau. It was built between 1895 and 1896, and was designed by the local architect Ferdinand Boberg. The author Selma Lagerlöf lived in the building, and it was here she wrote The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. In 1947, the initial balconies were removed and in 1955 the whole building was facing a renovation where the facade was redesigned and the whole house scaled-down, making it shorter and flatter

Wiklunds Glas was a building on Åsgatan in Falun and was designed in a combination between Art Nouveau and Renaissance in the Low Countries. The building was designed by the architect J.Wernfeldt and functioned as a location for a glass company. The building was demolished in 1971, when Falun was modernized.

Geislerska Huset was built sometime between 1765 and 1768 by Eric Geisler. The building was built by a technique which later became referred to as Eric Geisler Technique. It was the oldest building in the world built with copper slag stone. The building was demolished in 1977, and on the site today is an office building.

Rådhuset (Town Hall) is located on Stora Torget in Falun. Was built between 1649 and 1653, initially as a one-floor building, but in the 1960s, a second floor was added onto the building. In 1761, the building was destroyed in a fire, but was quickly rebuilt and is still, today, standing on the same site.

Varmbadhuset a community swimming pool facility in Falun. It was designed in a National Romantic Style by the city architect Klas Boman and built in 1911. In the 1960s a sports center was planned out for Falun and Varmbadhuset lost its importance and faced demolition in 1974, despite strong protests from the residents in Falun. On the site today is the police station.

In 1961, an architectural competition was organized in Falun. The neighborhood (Falan) between the western side of Stora Torget and Faluån was to be modernized. The competition was won by Uhlin och Malms Arkitektkontor in Stockholm. The final design was built in 1968, with two buildings along the western side of the Plaza. Since 1968, the buildings have been rebuilt many times.{{cite book |title=Falun Staden Som Försvann |year=2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.falun.se/www/falun/org/gamlafalun.nsf/doc/46829F0F9EF941A6C125793400467272 |title=50 intressanta hus i Falun - Gamla Falun |website=www.falun.se |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801030322/http://www.falun.se/www/falun/org/gamlafalun.nsf/doc/46829F0F9EF941A6C125793400467272 |archive-date=1 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}

There is a number of elementary schools in Falun, as well as a number of high schools.

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. The city's most successful sports 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 Division 2 Norra Svealand.

Lugnet, Falun Stadium has also hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships four times: 1954, 1974, 1993 and most recently in 2015.

The city lost out to Calgary, Alberta, 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.{{Cite web|title=All Time - Greatest Backside Airs|url=https://onboardmag.com/features/talking-points/time-greatest-backside-airs.html|access-date=2021-10-07|website=Onboard Magazine|language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/why-are-all-swedish-cottages-painted-red-180975914/|publisher=Smithsonian Magazine|title=WHY ARE ALL SWEDISH COTTAGES PAINTED RED?|access-date=2020-07-13}}

{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2024}}

File:Oscar Alin from Hildebrand Sveriges historia.jpg

File:Selma Lagerlöf.jpg

• Oscar Alin (1846–1900) historian and politician.{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Alin, Oscar Josef |volume= 1 |last= Bain |first= Robert Nisbet |author-link= Robert Nisbet Bain| page = 671 |short=1 }}
• Sture Bergwall, (born 1950), falsely convicted of serial murder
• Ferdinand Boberg, (1860–1946) architect
• Bolaget (founded 2019), band
• Joakim Brodén, (born 1980) founder and lead vocalist of power metal band Sabaton
• Brothers of Metal, (founded 2012) power metal band
• Elma Danielsson, (1865–1936), journalist and politician
• Björn Dixgård, (born 1981) musician (Mando Diao)
• Jorian Engelbrektsson, (born 1982) pinball champion
• Fet-Mats, (died 1677) a natural mummy found in Sweden in 1719.
• Selma Lagerlöf, (1858–1940) author, awarded the 1909 Nobel Prize in Literature
• Lina Leandersson, (born 1995) actress
• Bertil Lintner, (born 1953) journalist
• Kristian Matsson (born 1983) musician, stage name The Tallest Man on Earth
• Henrik Petrini, (1863–1957) mathematician
• Ernst Rolf, (1891–1932), actor and singer
• Georg Skarstedt, (1900–1976) actor
• Vincent Skoglund, (born 1974), photographer
• Georg Stiernhielm, (1598–1672) civil servant, mathematician, linguist and poet.{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Stjernhjelm, Georg |volume= 25 | page = 929 |short=1 }}
• Gunnar Säve-Söderbergh, (1910–1948) palaeontologist and geologist.
• Pär Sundström, (born 1981) founder and Bassist of power metal band Sabaton
• Twilight Force, (founded 2011) power metal band
• Putte Wickman, (1924–2006) jazz clarinetist

File:Jenny Rissveds 001.jpg

• Adam Boqvist (born 2000), ice hockey player
• Jesper Boqvist (born 1998), ice hockey player
• Zećira Mušović (born 1996), footballer
• Mattias Ekström (born 1978), racing driver
• Samuel Ersson (born 1999), ice hockey goaltender
• Maria Hjorth (born 1973), golfer
• Tomas Jonsson (born 1960, former ice hockey player, now coach
• Anders Kallur (born 1952), former ice hockey player
• Jenny Kallur (born 1981), athlete, World Championships finalist 2005 in 100 m hurdles
• Susanna Kallur (born 1981), athlete, World Record Holder 60 meter hurdles
• Marcus Ljungqvist (born 1974), former road bicycle racer
• Jenny Rissveds (born 1994), Olympic Champion Rio 2016, U23 Mountain Bike World Champion 2016
• Walter Steiner (born 1951), former ski jumper
• Ulf Stenlund (born 1967), former tennis player
• Mats Gren (born 1963), former footballer

The short story "Die Bergwerke zu Falun" ("The Mines of Falun") was published by E. T. A. Hoffmann in 1819, based on what happened to Fet-Mats Israelsson.

• Biathlon World Championships
• Falukorv
• Thomas Quick
• Älgen Stolta

File:Falu BS BK vs Kalix Bandy 2013-01-27 01.jpg team of Falu BS executing a corner]]

The following sports clubs are located in Falun:

• Falu BS
• Falu FK
• Korsnäs IF FK
• Slätta SK
• IBF Falun

Starting in 2008 Falun has been the home of a rock and metal festival called Sabaton Open Air: Rockstad Falun.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons-inline}}
• {{Wikivoyage inline|Falun}}
• Falun – Official site : [http://www.falun.se/ falun.se]
• Falun – Democracy City : [http://www.falun.se/democracy falun.se/democracy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208210659/https://www.falun.se/democracy |date=2020-12-08 }}

{{Localities in Falun Municipality}}{{50 most populous urban areas of Sweden}}{{Dalarna County}}

{{Swedish Seats}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Attached KML}}

Category:County seats in Sweden

Category:Populated places in Falun Municipality

Category:Municipal seats of Dalarna County

Category:Swedish municipal seats

Category:Mining communities in Sweden

Category:Ski areas and resorts in Sweden

Category:Populated lakeshore places in Sweden

Category:Cities in Sweden