Skansen (SE)
Skansen is the world's first open-air museum, located on the island of Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden. The museum combines elements of traditional Swedish life with cultural exhibits, historical reenactments, and live animals, offering a comprehensive look at Sweden’s past. Established in 1891 by Artur Hazelius, Skansen was created to preserve and showcase Sweden’s rural culture and traditions from different periods, allowing visitors to experience the country's history firsthand.
Open from
Key Features:
- Historical Buildings: Skansen features more than 150 historical buildings from various parts of Sweden, including farmhouses, manor houses, churches, workshops, and cottages. These buildings were transported from different regions of Sweden and reconstructed to reflect traditional Swedish architecture and rural life.
- Living History: One of Skansen’s highlights is its living history demonstrations. Staff dressed in period costumes demonstrate traditional crafts, trades, and daily activities, such as weaving, baking, pottery, and blacksmithing. These interactive experiences give visitors insight into the lives of rural Swedes in past centuries.
- Swedish Folk Culture and Traditions: Skansen celebrates Sweden’s rich folk culture, offering exhibits and performances that showcase traditional Swedish music, dancing, and celebrations. Throughout the year, the museum hosts festivals and seasonal events, such as the Midsummer celebration, where visitors can participate in dancing around the maypole and other traditional customs.
- Animals of Scandinavia: Skansen also functions as a zoo, featuring native Scandinavian animals like moose, wolves, bears, lynxes, and reindeer. This aspect of the museum emphasizes the connection between Sweden’s natural environment and its rural life.
- Themed Areas: Skansen is divided into themed areas that represent different parts of Sweden and different periods in its history. These areas showcase the diversity of Swedish culture, from the northern Sami people and their traditional reindeer herding lifestyle, to southern agricultural communities, providing a comprehensive overview of Swedish regional diversity.
Image: Kyrkhultsstugan typical house from Blekinge County, Sweden, now at Skansen Stockholm. Image by Nordelch - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=726423