Historic Buildings in Dalarna – 10 Traditional Swedish Constructions
Dalarna is a region rich in cultural history – not least in the form of its traditional buildings. Here you’ll find a selection of iconic historical building types that reflect the soul, history, and lifestyle of this unique Swedish landscape.
Authentic Building Traditions in Dalarna – 10 Historic Types
From small storage huts to classic parstugor, each structure tells its own story about life in earlier times.
1. Parstuga (Double Cottage)
A traditional type of dwelling with a centrally placed entrance hall and two symmetrical rooms on either side.
Common in western and northern Dalarna, often built in timber with corner notching. The design is simple yet highly functional for rural family life.
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2. Enkelstuga (Single Cottage)
A simpler version of the parstuga, featuring a small entrance, a main living room (stuga), and a tiny chamber.
Usually one storey high and modular in design, enkelstugor were typical in the countryside around Rättvik and Leksand.
3. Rökstuga (Smoke Cottage)
An early type of dwelling without a chimney, where smoke from the fireplace escaped through gaps in the roof or walls.
This design is closely associated with Forest Finn settlements, particularly around Vansbro. Rare today but of great historical and ethnographic importance.
Read More about: Things to do in Dalarna
4. Härbre (Storage Loft)
A freestanding log structure, raised on pillars to protect grain, textiles, and food from moisture and rodents.
Härbren were common on farms and fäbod summer pastures throughout Dalarna and are among the most recognizable rural buildings in Sweden.
Read more: What is a Härbre?
5. Loftbod (Two-Storey Granary)
A two-storey log building with an overhanging upper floor (loft). Used both for storage and as occasional living quarters during parts of the year.
Many are beautifully decorated with wood-carved details, especially in the Siljan region, reflecting both craftsmanship and artistic flair.
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6. Tröskloge (Threshing Barn)
An old type of barn used for threshing grain. Built from solid logs, with a large gate and wooden floor suitable for working with flails.
Well-preserved examples can still be seen at Hedemora Open-Air Museum (Gammelgården).
7. Bryggstuga (Brew House)
A combined utility building for brewing, baking, and food preservation. Common on self-sufficient farms, usually located centrally in the farmyard and equipped with a special chimney or baking oven.
8. Portlider (Covered Passageway)
A covered gateway connecting different buildings in a farmyard, providing shelter for moving people or goods between them.
Often combined with a stable or wagon shed, portlider were typical of larger, more established farmsteads in southern Dalarna.
9. Smedja (Blacksmith’s Workshop)
A small freestanding workshop made of timber or stone. Here, the local blacksmith forged and repaired tools, hardware, and nails – an essential part of both mining and fäbod communities.
10. Linbod (Flax Shed)
A simple wooden building used for storing, processing, or selling flax. Common in areas with a strong flax tradition, especially in southern Dalarna. Sometimes it also functioned as a small trading post or storage hut.
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Common Questions – Historic Buildings in Dalarna
What is the difference between a Parstuga and an Enkelstuga?
A parstuga has two symmetrical rooms on either side of a central hallway, while an enkelstuga is smaller, often with just one main room and a small chamber.
What were Härbren used for?
They were used to store food, grain, and textiles safely – raised above the ground to protect against moisture, mice, and thieves. Härbren typically have shutters instead of windows.
Where can I see these buildings today?
Many are preserved at open-air museums such as Hedemora Gammelgård, but also in living fäbod environments and traditional farms around Lake Siljan.
What is a Rökstuga?
A rökstuga is an ancient type of smokehouse dwelling without a chimney, where smoke exits through the roof. They are typical of the Forest Finn culture in central Sweden.
Are these buildings still in use today?
Some are still used – mostly as storage sheds, summer cottages, or museum buildings. Many are heritage-listed and preserved as important parts of Sweden’s architectural history.
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Personal Reflections
I find it fascinating how thoughtful and functional these buildings were — long before modern tools or machines.
Standing before a well-preserved härbre from the 1600s gives you an almost physical sense of presence — as if history itself is breathing.
I’ve personally visited Hedemora Gammelgård and several fäbod sites, and each visit feels like stepping into a living museum.
There’s something special about the smell of aged timber, the marks of hand tools, and the realization that these structures are not just remnants — they are storytellers.
Conclusion – Traditional Architecture in Dalarna
These older building types form the backbone of Dalarna’s architectural heritage.
They reflect ingenuity, adaptation to climate and available materials, and above all, a deep pride in craftsmanship.
If you want to experience this legacy firsthand, visit an open-air museum or a living fäbod and encounter Dalarna’s architectural history carved in wood and stone.
Petter Hansson är frilansskribent och digital nomad med hjärtat i Dalarna. Han har under många år rest, vandrat och deltagit i evenemang runt om i landskapet och delar här med sig av både egna upplevelser och faktagranskade tips. På Dalarna.nu vill han lyfta fram det bästa av regionens natur, kultur och historia – från små byar och dolda pärlor till stora festivaler och klassiska resmål.
