The Sala Silver Mine is not just a tourist attraction; it is a place where Swedish history was carved deep into the earth.
- This Mine is one of Sweden’s most famous historic mines. Its story stretches back over 500 years
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
The Road Begins: From Nacka to Västmanland
Something is refreshing about a summer morning in Sweden when the air feels both crisp and gentle, inviting you to step outside and explore. On one such fine August morning, the plan for the day was set. Pernilla, Gun-Britt, and I were headed westward to visit the old historic Sala Silver Mine (Sala Silvergruva) in Västmanland County of Sweden. The mine had long been on our list, not just because of its historical weight, but also for the promise of adventure and discovery.
The journey began from Nacka, Stockholm, under a bright and blue sky with a cheerful sun spreading its light generously across the landscape. However, as we drove along the E18 highway, the weather decided to play its part in the story. Clouds slowly gathered, a light drizzle followed, and for a while, it seemed as if the sky was setting its own rhythm for our journey.
The drive took a little less than two hours. Much of it was spent crossing both smooth highways and winding countryside roads. It is always a difficult choice, which one is more beautiful? The broad highways with their endless flow of cars and speed, or the countryside roads that open a window into the Swedish summer, golden wheat fields ready for harvest, the stalks bending slightly in the breeze like waves of gold in the ocean of grain, red barns dotted the horizon and standing proudly, and in several places, farmers and their tractors already at work gathering the crop.
The countryside roads and small cottages with their gardens stood as reminders of rural simplicity, had a rhythm of their own that truly captured our attention, almost timeless, and closer to the soul of a place
Arrival in Sala: First Impressions and the Charm of Antiques
By the time we reached Sala, the weather had balanced itself into a charming mix of sunshine and passing clouds, the kind of Swedish summer day that keeps you alert. Parking was simple and free of charge. a small blessing that makes any traveler smile.
Before venturing into the silver mine area, however, something inspiring caught our attention, a café inside an antique shop. In Sweden, no outing is complete without fika; you cannot skip the ritual of it: coffee, tea, perhaps a sweet bun, and most importantly, a pause for conversation. This café was unlike many others; its charm lay not only in the aroma of fresh coffee but in the treasures surrounding us.
Inside the antique shop, we wandered through shelves and corners filled with history. Old radios, iron weights, vintage caps and lamps, porcelain cups and mugs, delicate glasses, and kitchenware from another era. There were even wooden hand instruments once used by carpenters, along with bells, clothes, and telephones with their rotary dials. Looking at these objects felt like walking back in time. Many of these items, I realized with a smile, are still commonly found in Pakistan, especially in Sindh. The connection between past and present, Europe and South Asia, felt alive in that little shop. It was fascinating to see how objects travel across continents and cultures, yet remain bound to human need and familiarity. That blend of nostalgia and recognition added an extra flavor to our fika.
Beside the antique café stood an old furniture shop, equally intriguing, filled with polished wood pieces that seemed to carry stories of their own and to whisper stories of Swedish homes from long ago. We lingered there before finally turning towards the mine area, our anticipation growing.
The Silver Mine: History Carved in Stone
Museums, Films, and Red Wooden Houses
The Sala Silver Mine is not just a tourist attraction; it is a place where Swedish history was carved deep into the earth. This Mine is one of Sweden’s most famous historic mines. Its story stretches back over 500 years. From the early 16th century, it became a crown jewel of Sweden’s economy, often called “the treasury of the realm, ”directly under the Crown’s control. The mine produced enormous quantities of silver, and it quickly became one of Europe’s most significant silver sources.
Unlike many other mines, Sala was never privately owned; it was too valuable. Despite supporting financially other matters of the country, Silver from Sala was minted into coins bearing the faces of kings and queens, coins that traveled across Europe. Monarchs such as Gustav Vasa, Erik XIV, Gustavus Adolphus, and Queen Christina all had ties to the mine. Gustav Vasa himself inspected it, ensuring that no ounce of silver was wasted. It was truly the lifeblood of the Swedish Crown during the Age of Great Power.
At its peak, the mine was said to yield around four tons of silver every year, an astonishing figure for the time, making it one of Europe’s richest silver sources and suppliers. The mine shafts extend over 300 meters deep, with tunnels stretching many kilometers underground. While much of the silver is long gone, the aura of history remains strong.
Walking around the mine’s surface area, we were greeted by charming red wooden houses, a classic Swedish design, each of which is related to the mine. Inside the small museums, models showed how mining was once done, how silver was processed, and what tools were used by miners centuries ago. It seemed like life for miners was harsh. They worked in damp, dark, and dangerous conditions, often for long hours with pickaxes, hauling ore, and breathing damp underground air was grueling. Accidents were common.
Two stories in particular have been passed down about workers who lost their lives there. In the 17th century, two miners tragically fell into one of the deep shafts while working with only torches for light. Their deaths became part of the mine’s darker history, reminders that silver came at a heavy human cost. Standing at the edge of the great shaft today, one can almost feel the weight of such stories.
Standing before these displays, one could imagine the clanging of hammers, the sweat of miners, and the weight of silver ore being lifted from the depths. Yet their labor built the wealth of a nation.
One highlight was a film studio, where short documentaries gave us glimpses into the mine’s heyday, the risks faced by miners, and the evolution of mining techniques over the centuries. The visuals made the underground world vivid, even without descending into the depths ourselves.
Souvenirs and Stories and the Edge of the Abyss
Amid the historical displays, modern touches were woven in a café and a souvenir shop, both housed in the same traditional buildings. We couldn’t resist buying a few keepsakes, simple yet meaningful reminders of the day. Then came the moment of awe: standing at the rim of the actual mine shaft. Looking down into its abyss was both thrilling and unsettling. The shaft seemed endless, a dark mouth swallowing light.
Guides explained that visitors could descend into the mine on tours, some of which take you to depths of 155 meters. For those seeking a truly unique adventure, there is even a hotel located inside the mine itself, rooms carved out of stone, lit with warm lamps, offering an unforgettable stay. Yet, as intriguing as it sounded, we decided to remain on the surface this time. Sometimes, imagination is enough to fill in the rest.
A Town Beyond the Mine
With our visit to the silver mine complete, we wandered into Sala town, browsing a few local stores. The town had a calm, relaxed charm, its streets reflecting a slower rhythm of life compared to Stockholm, the capital. Later, we began our return journey, this time taking the E4 highway via Uppsala, another historic city, before heading back to Stockholm.
The drive home, with the day’s impressions still fresh, felt shorter. Perhaps that is the gift of meaningful travel; time seems to contract when your mind is full of stories and memories.
Reflections: More Than a Day Trip Well Spent
What is the value of a single-day trip? Some might argue that only long journeys or foreign travels are worth the effort. But our visit to Sala Silver Mine proved otherwise. In less than ten hours, we had experienced so much, changing weather, Swedish countryside beauty, golden fields, antique treasures, deep and touching history and its weight, charm of discovery, connecting with stories of human labor and sacrifice, ambition, and resilience, stories of wealth and power, and the most importantly, the company of dear ones.
A place like Sala does not just entertain or is a place just to see; it is a place to feel that educates, humbles, and inspires. It makes you reflect on the labor of those who came before us, who dug deep into the earth so their nation could rise. It reminds you of the beauty of small rituals like fika, and how antiques can connect distant cultures. And above all, it proves that when you choose exploration over routine, even for just a day, you enrich your inner self.
Scrolling endlessly on a screen might fill the hours, but it does not fill the heart. A journey, even a short one, adds depth to your life, creating memories that linger. That August day in Sala was more than a visit to a silver mine; it was a reminder that to travel is to grow, to explore, to live, and to share such moments is to treasure time itself.
Read: Swedish Retreat: Sköndalen’s Quiet Valley
_______________
Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
