Page 235 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA  233

WESTERN SVEALAND

Värmland, Närke and Dalarna, with their rich rural heritage,
colourful folk costumes, red-painted wooden houses and
pastoral scenes, attracted visitors long before the onset of
tourism. Stretching from the flatlands of Närke to the
mountains of Dalarna, this region is known for its annual
ski race and Midsummer festivities, as well as its industrial
heritage based on mining and forestry.

Large expanses of water dominate all The centre of the province is dominated
three provinces. Southern Värmland by the fertile Närke flatlands, encircled by
encompasses the huge Lake Vänern, forest, including the once infamous
which is also the end of the line for the haunt of bandits, Tiveden, in the south.
arterial Klarälven river. The beautiful Fryken Örebro, Western Svealand’s largest
lakes provided inspiration for one of the metropolis and Närke’s county town,
province’s well-known authors, Selma has all the charm of a small town.
Lagerlöf (see p237). Her home, Mårbacka, Dalarna has the beautiful Siljan lake and
was in this region where so many of her the Dalälven river with its arms stretching
adventures are set. There is plenty of into the mountains. The province offers
scope for outdoor activities in Värmland, more contrasts than most – from the
including boating, canoeing, rafting on gentle farmland around Siljan to the
the Klarälven river and fishing. The forests mountainous north. Every year, on the
have exciting trails where walkers are first Sunday of March, these are linked by
unlucky if they don’t see an elk, and on the Vasaloppet race (see p249), when tens
wildlife safaris there is even the chance of of thousands of skiers head from Sälen
glimpsing one of the big four predators – down to Mora. Midsummer celebrations
bear, wolf, lynx or wolverine. on Siljan are emblematic of Dalarna.
Närke, one of Sweden’s smallest Villages compete to see who has the most
provinces, is sandwiched between two stylish maypole, the most accomplished
large lakes, Hjälmaren and Vättern. musicians and the best folk dancers.

Rustic interior of Gammelgården in Mora, Dalarna
Swedes in traditional costume performing a folk dance in the Dalarna region

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