Opening hours: June 16 – August 25 at the Mining Museum at Falu Mine. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Price: Included in the entrance ticket to the museum, as well as the mine ticket. It is also possible to buy separate entrance tickets for 60 SEK per person. These tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center or the Mining Museum reception at Falu Mine.
A symbol of Sweden
The exhibition “Falu Rödfärg – modern in all times” portrays how the red-painted houses became a symbol of Sweden and Swedish heritage. The red paint became an affordable option for most people, representing prosperity. The red color created a national identity, and red cottages with white corners became the epitome of Sweden worldwide.
The red paint is part of our history
Authentic Falu Rödfärg is made from pigment sourced from Falu Mine. The paint has colored Sweden red for over 250 years. Initially, castles and manors were painted red; it was something expensive and exclusive. But during the 19th century, when Sweden transformed from a poor to a prosperous country, the paint reached ordinary people, and many houses and barns were painted red. The landscape changed from gray to red.
How did it begin?
In 1573, Johan III ordered that all the roofs of the Tre Kronor castle be painted with red paint made from red earth from Falu Mine. The red color and the luster of the red paint resembled copper, which was trendy in Europe.
Pigment from the mine’s byproducts
The exhibition shows how the production of Falu Rödfärg works, what distinguishes the Falu Rödfärg paints, and also answers the common question: When will the pigment run out?
Red earth provides the yellow dye iron ochre, which turns red after heating. Obtaining the pigment in exactly the right shade is a craft, built on generations of knowledge. And the recipe is fundamentally the same as in the 18th century!
Modern in all times
The exhibition also highlights architecture, where Falu Rödfärg plays a prominent role. From the red-painted buildings a stone’s throw from the Great Pit to innovative modern architecture where the red paint is crucial for the overall look. The ability to convey tradition and continuity as well as modernity and renewal makes Falu Rödfärg modern in all times.
