Dalarna
There is also Norwegian region called Dalane.
is a historical province or landskap
in central Sweden. A common English name form is Dalecarlia
or Dalekarlia
. Places involving the element Dalecarlia'' still exist in the
United States.
Dalarna adjoins
Härjedalen,
Hälsingland,
Gästrikland,
Västmanland and
Värmland. It is also bounded by
Norway in the west.
The word "Dalarna" means "the dales" (valleys). It is a region full of historical associations, and possesses strong local characteristics in respect of its products, and especially of its people. The Dalecarlians or Dalesmen speak their own
dialect, the
Dalecarlian language and have a traditional clothing. Historically, they are famed for their sturdy love of independence.
[Volume V07, Page 764 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica. (online link)]Provinces serve no administrative function in Sweden today. Instead, that function is served by the
counties of Sweden. However, Dalarna has virtually the same boundaries as the corresponding
Dalarna County.
The main exception is a smaller northeastern part (
Hamra perish, also known as
Orsa Finnmark), which belongs to
Ljusdal in
Gävleborg County.
The geography is distinguished by lake
Siljan in the middle part, and the Västerdal River and Österdal River that join into the
Dalecarlia River.
The northern part of the province are within the
Scandinavian mountain range, and are mountainous with many lakes. The southern part consists of plains, with several mines, most notably
copper, traditionally forming part of
Bergslagen.
Highest point is
Storvätteshågna with 1,204 meters. Lowest point is at 55 meters, in the south-east part.
Cities
Dalarna was historically divided into
chartered cities and districts.
*
Avesta (
1641 -
1686, renewed
1919)
*
Borlänge (
1944, as Borlængio By
1390)
*
Falun (
1641)
*
Hedemora (approximately
1400)
*
Ludvika (
1919)
*
Säter (
1642)
Other towns
*
Leksand*
Mora*
Orsa*
Rättvik*
Tällberg*
Malung*
Sälen*
IdreNational parks
*
Färnebofjärden*
Fulufjället*
Hamra*
TöfsingdalenThe province was part of
Svealand before
Sweden was consolidated in the 11th century.
Two historically notorious rebellions started in the Dalarna province: In 1434, led by
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, the miners rose against the oppression of the officers of
Eric of Pomerania, and in 1519â€"1523 it was among the miners that
Gustavus Vasa found his staunchest supporters in his patriotic task of freeing Sweden from the yoke of the Danes.
[Another 1911 reference]Heraldry
Arms granted in
1560, the use of two crossed arrows as a symbol precedes this. The province is also a duchy and the arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Azure, two Dalecarlian Arrows Or in saltire point upwards pointed Argent and in chief a Crown of the first."
|
A giant Dalahorse in central Avesta. |
|
A woman from Leksand in traditional folk dress, 1911 |
Historically, Dalarna has enjoyed a rich and unique folk culture, with distinct music, paintings (often centered on Biblical themes) and handicraft. The province was also the last province to abandon the use of the
Runic alphabet, a local dialect of which, the so called Dalrunes, survived into the 20th century.
A famous symbol of the province is the
Dalecarlian horse, in Swedish
Dalahäst, a painted and decorated wooden horse.
The
Vasaloppet, a
cross country skiing race over 90 km, is held annually, on the first Sunday of March, between
Sälen and
Mora, in commemoration of
Gustav I of the
House of Vasa.
The mining area of the
Stora Kopparberget ("Great Copper Mountain") has been named a
UNESCO World heritage site.
*
Lars Frölander, swimmer
*
Jussi Björling, opera singer
*
Nils Karlsson, "
Mora-Nisse", skier
*
Gunnar Myrdal, politician
*
Charlie Norman, pianist
*
Björn Skifs, singer, actor
*
Gunde Svan, skier, "celebrity".
*
Hans Werthén, former
CEO of
Electrolux*
Anders Zorn, artist (painter)
*
Gustaf de Laval (1845-1913), inventor and engineer
*
Lars "Kuprik" Bäckman, chef; and consequently The Muppets'
Swedish Chef*
Mats "Dalmas" Bäckström, Top Shooter
Dukes
Since
1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.
*
Prince August (
1831-
1873)
*
Prince Carl Johan (from his birth in
1916 until his loss of succession rights in
1947)
*See also:
List of SwedesThe Swedish provinces were subdivided into
Hundreds of Sweden, in effect until early 20th century.
In some provinces the sub-dividing was through
districts. Dalarna had only one
chartered hundred – the others were court districts.
*
article Dalarna from
Nordisk familjebok. In Swedish.
*
*
Dalarna - Tourist site
*
Profiles of over 200 relevant websites, primarily in English*
Pictures from Dalarna
