UNESCO World Heritage – Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland
No holiday is complete without indulging in the local culture and understanding some of the history regarding local traditions. The Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland achieved world heritage status in 2012.
UNESCO statement June 2012:
The decorated farmhouses of Hälsingland represent an outstanding collection of farmhouses with more than 1,000 well-preserved farms and about 400 room decorations still in situ. The density of intact preserved decorated rooms is unparalleled...
The farms... are outstanding examples of how independent farmers within a small geographical area combined a highly developed building tradition with a rich folk art tradition in the form of decoratively painted interiors especially for celebrations.
“These decorated farms bear witness of a culture that has disappeared today, but whose buildings and interiors with their variations, richness and quality, have been preserved in an exceptional way... and are of outstanding universal value.”
7 farmhouses have been allocated world heritage status and should be seen as representatives of all the Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland – around 1000 of them. The 7 UNESCO protected decorated farmhouses are Gästgivars, Kristofers, Pallars, Jon-Lars, Bortom Åa, Bommars and Erik-Anders.
Visitor Centers
Visitors can find information on which farmhouses are open to the public, as well as a way in to the exciting histories of the Hälsingland farmhouses, most easily at any of our four visitors’ centers. Many of the world heritage farmhouses are privately owned residences and open to the public only on special occasions. For more information on how to book guided tours, please contact the nearest visitor center. Please contact your destination of choice before your arrival, to ensure that the visitor center is open. Find more information below.
Erik-Anders in Asta
The only World Heritage Hälsingland Farmhouse with accommodation. The accommodation at Erik-Anders has been renovated with considerable respect and passion for the heritage of Hälsingland. Each room has been individually decorated with its own charm and character.
Stenegård in Järvsö
A classic Swedish manor house and part of the World Heritage Hälsingegårdar network of farmhouses. Stenegård is a major historical and cultural attraction in Järvsö and Hälsingland. There is a collection of small craft shops, art gallery and ecological café and restaurant.
Gästgivars in Vallsta
The Hälsingland farm Gästgivars is an old inn with parts of it dating back to the 18th century. The farm building has beautiful interior paintings by Jonas Wallström, including among others, the original to the famous wallpaper Gästgivars (“Gästgivarstapeten”). The farm sells paper towels, trays and gift wrapping paper which has the “Gästgivars pattern” on it. Large exhibition where you can buy beautiful arts and crafts. The small barn has clothing and other items for children which they can dress up in, wooden animals, kitchenware and books etc.
Ol-Anders in Alfta
Near the village of Alfta lies the Hälsingland Farmhouse Ol-Anders. The buildings on the farm have entrances in empirical style and also beautiful interior paintings from 1848. The farm is a visitor centre for the UNESCO World Heritage Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland, and it also has a tourist office with information on what to see and do in the surrounding area.
Visit a Hälsingland Farmhouse
Many farmhouses are open for the public to visit. Find some of them here!