SKANSEN

Skansen is the pride of Stockholmers. Traditional festivals such as Midsommar, Valborg (Walpurgis Night) and Saint Lucia are celebrated here.

A little history. Skansen, the world's oldest open-air museum, offers a miniature version of Sweden's past. The houses and farms of the past (about 150 in total) from all over the country have been transported here in order to perpetuate the cultural heritage and to tell the story of the customs and daily life of the past in the different regions of the Kingdom of Sweden. The museum was founded in 1891 by Artur Hazelius, a professor and specialist in Nordic languages. The end of the ^19th century saw an explosion of industrial activities and profound changes in society. Many scholars began to worry that local and traditional cultures were disappearing and being absorbed into an all-powerful global system. During his travels, Hazelius became aware of the need to undertake a vast collection before it was too late. This immense project, begun in 1870, formed the basis of the collections of the Nordic Museum, opened in 1888. Following the logic of memory for educational purposes, Hazelius wished to bring the past to life by showing the original houses, furnished and inhabited by people dressed in period costumes. The buildings were then transported to the park, the concept was launched. Today, this open-air museum is a popular family gathering place offering a multitude of concerts and folk dances in the summer as well as a Christmas market that attracts a large crowd every year in winter.

The visit. Skansen covers 75 hectares and is home to 150 buildings, ranging from 50 to 600 years old. Thus, the Scannian farm of the southern region with its willows and beeches and the Delsbo farm of Hälsingland, the historical province of central Sweden with its birches and pines, are all on the same territory. Despite some unavoidable deviations from geographical accuracy, Skansen offers the visitor the opportunity to discover the history of Swedish housing and customs during a charming walk. A map is provided at the entrance, which is essential for finding one's way around and fully enjoying the visit. The museum also has a zoo with many Scandinavian species such as wolves, bison, elk, grey seals, brown bears and eagle owls, as well as a research center dedicated to the Baltic Sea.