Swedish Red Houses at Disagården
Today, I visited the outdoor museum, Disagården. This charming site features a collection of houses, barns, and stables from the Swedish province of Uppland. Read more about those Swedish red houses below.
The Iconic Red Color of Swedish Houses
The buildings at Disagården are all painted in the traditional “Falu” red color. The pigment of the paint originally came from mining residue from the the Falun copper mine in the province of Dalarna.
Swedes living in the countryside started to paint their houses with Falu red in the 1700s to mimic the brick houses of the upper classes. The chemicals in the paint also proved effective in protecting the logs from weathering. This is why you see so many red houses throughout Sweden.
Inside a Traditional Swedish Red House
The interiors of the buildings at Disagården are furnished with the furniture and tools of farms in the 1800s. As you step inside, you are greeted by the scent of wood and a hint of char. The image below shows the doorway into the kitchen. In the center of the kitchen, there is a cot dating back to 1721.
There are also four bunk beds just out of sight on the right-hand side behind the blue curtain. The kitchen, equipped with an iron stove, was the warmest room during the harsh winter months. This made it a practical choice for also using it as a bedroom.
The Living History of Disagården
The historic buildings of Disagården were originally owned by people living in the Uppland countryside in the 1800s. To preserve this important part of Swedish history, the buildings were relocated to Disagården between 1928 and 1931. Visiting Disagården offers a wonderful glimpse into Sweden’s rural past, bringing history to life in an engaging way.
Disagården also features traditional breeds of animals such as pigs, sheep, and chickens. This enhances the sense of stepping back in time to the 1800s. This period was significant for Sweden, not least because around one in every five Swedes emigrated. Almost all of them moved to the United States.
Both Swedes and international visitors come to Disagården in the summer. The buildings are open and guided tours are available during this time. I am looking forward to joining one of these tours soon.
Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna
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