states: [sweden]
category: cultural
year: 2001
location: Town of Falun, Dalarna Province
region: Europe and North America
latitude/longitude: 60.6047200000, 15.6308300000
This UNESCO World Heritage site in Sweden encompasses a historic copper mine that operated for over a millennium, from the 10th century until 1992, significantly shaping the region’s industrial and cultural landscape. At its peak in the 17th century, it supplied two-thirds of Europe’s copper, influencing global mining technology and funding Sweden’s military endeavors. The site includes the expansive Great Pit, a result of a 1687 collapse, alongside a well-preserved 17th-century planned town, miners’ cottages, and the surrounding rural estates, offering a vivid glimpse into centuries of mining heritage. Today, it serves as a museum, attracting visitors to explore its underground tunnels and historical exhibits.
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