The great pit

Greatest cave-in in the mine’s history

The huge collapse in 1687 is one of the best-known occurrences in the history of Falun Mine. Before midsummer there had already been worrying sounds heard from under ground. Then it struck: on Midsummer’s Day the greatest cave-in ever occurred. Above ground there were three open pits and their dividing “walls” collapsed. As far down as 300 metres below ground, rubble from the cave-in was found. Stora Stöten – the Great Pit – had been formed, a mile in circumference (1.6 km.) and 95 metres deep. The occurrence became known throughout Sweden and on the Continent for the fact that no single mineworker had lost his life – all of them were off work for the traditional Swedish Midsummer holiday.