Sweden’s highest bridge is in Falun
Creutz’s shaft head, which remains where it was built in the mid 19th century, has become a hallmark of the Falu Mine above ground. When you step into the shaft, you are actually standing on Sweden’s highest bridge – it is 208 metres down to the bottom of the shaft.
A characteristic feature of Creutz’s shaft is the bell that pings – an old warning bell for the pump that pumped water out of the mine. If the bell went silent, which it sometimes did, it was the pump attendant’s job to repair the fault.
The Creutz’s shaft which was a named after a provincial governor in the 17th century, is the only shaft from olden times that has been preserved. The underground mine tours pass the shaft at a depth of approximately 50 meters. There hangs a barrel that was used for the transport of ore, equipment and sometimes also as an elevator for the workers.
Creutz’s shaft head is open almost all year round, it is only during the coldest winter months that it needs to be closed. Also take the oppurtunity to visit Creutz’s hoist house, Creutz’s wheel house and Husbergs pivot. The building was designed to transport ore and water up from the mine, and then both ingenious pulling of ropes and water wheels of large dimensions were required.
Discover the Great Pit
Around the open pit at Falu Mine runs the mine walk, a loop of 1,6 kilometres, and along the way are several historic buildings, including the 40-meter-high Oscar’s shaft head.
The high concrete shaft head was built as late as 1970- The shaft, named after King Oscar II, was built in 1905 and is a whopping 440 meters deep. Next to the shaft is the “Mine cottage”, a staff space for the miners during the 20th century.
Fredrik’s wheelhouse, a red-colored building on the top of the Great Pit, belonged to Fredrik’s shaft, which began to be built in the 18th century and was a full 355 meters deep.
Adolf Fredriks shaft head was built over the 280 meter deep Adolf Fredrik’s shaft in the middle of the 19th century. The shaft head which was rebuilt after a fire in the 20th century, has been moved to its current location.