Holiday apartment in Sala: Silver Mine, culture and waterside trails

Sala combines more than 500 years of silver-mining history with museums, cultural sites, waterways and nature reserves. Silver was mined at Sala Silver Mine for more than 500 years on behalf of the Swedish Crown. Guided tours above and below ground are offered there, while 48 historic buildings from different centuries form part of the site.

History and culture

Sala was granted city rights in 1624. The city was laid out according to a modern grid pattern; at its centre is Stora torget, a central meeting place with cobblestone paving. Kristina Church was also built when the city was founded: the church, constructed from grey stone and brick, was inaugurated in 1641.

At the Aguéli Museum, Sala displays the largest collection of works by Ivan Aguéli, including paintings and drawings. In addition to these works, the collection also includes works by Helene Schjerfbeck, Vera Nilsson, Sven X:et Erixon, Carl Kylberg and Elli Hemberg. The Täljstenen Cultural Quarter complements this focus with exhibitions, music events and theatre. The cultural quarter also includes the Aguéli Museum, a library, an art gallery, a forge, studios and a café. Lectures are also organised there; at the Smedjan forge, visitors can watch craftspeople at work.

The cultural history of Väsby Kungsgård dates back to the 16th century, when Gustav Vasa transformed the former farm into a royal estate. The museum contains around 7,000 objects relating to the history of the region around Sala. The open-air summer museum presents crafts and shows how miners may have lived in the 19th century; the site is open year-round.

Waterways and nature

You can play mini-golf in Sala City Park. From there, you can follow the waterway and walk along the Gröna gången trail to the mine and Måns Ols. The old canal runs from Ekeby dammar via Gröna gången and Mellandammen to Långforsen and the Måns-Ols excursion restaurant.

In the wider surrounding region, Mergölen Nature Reserve preserves traces of earlier mining activity. The rare plant hällebräcka also grows there. In the nearby area, a clearly marked mountain-bike trail connects Mergölen Nature Reserve with the nearby Aspenstorp Nature Reserve and Sala Silver Mine. Also in the wider surrounding region, Östringby Nature Reserve offers two walking loops of approximately 1.4 kilometres and 2.7 kilometres.

Cycle paths and public transport connections

The tourist information office in Sala offers bicycle rental. The signposted Sverigeleden cycle route passes through Sala and runs near Sala Silver Mine and Gruvbyn. Public transport connections to Sala Silver Mine are available from all directions.

Cultural life and events

Sala Folkets Park was founded in 1919 by the labour movement in Sala, among other things for larger gatherings as well as dancing, theatre and celebrations. Today, Sala Folkets Park offers events, dance evenings and flea markets. Two large stages enable music and theatre performances to be held there.

Other places

You can find more places at: Sala, Salbohed, Möklinta, Broddbo, Västerfärnebo.

For the main travel overview: Västmanland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Västerås, Arboga, Fagersta.