Falun

Falun is a city in central Sweden, located along the Falun River in Dalarna County. It is the seat of Falun Municipality and functions as a regional center for culture, education, and industry.

The city is best known for the Falun copper mine, part of the Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. Mining at Falun dates back to at least the 10th century and played a central role in Sweden’s metal production, shaping the local economy and urban development for centuries. The mining complex includes underground workings and facilities that illustrate historic mining methods and the city’s resource-driven history.

In addition to its mining heritage, Falun preserves a historic town center with wooden houses and notable churches. Cultural institutions include the Dalarnas Museum, which focuses on regional history and culture. The surrounding region offers outdoor recreation around lakes and forests, and the city serves as a service and transport hub for Dalarna.

Falun is connected by road and rail to Stockholm, Borlänge, and other Swedish cities, and it hosts events and educational institutions that serve the county. The Falun mine site and the town’s heritage remain central to its identity and economy through tourism and conservation.