Surrounding (History)

A scent of smoke and coffee, and a fire red lily in the sunshine by a deserted old cottage. A flowering meadow in early summer and cool, refreshing water from a mountain stream. The sorrowful cry of the loon in the evening. A forest for experiences and impressions from another time and culture. The Finn Forest was colonised in the 17th century by Finnish settlers, experienced swidden farmers,  refined cultivating abilities enabled them, with the help of fire, to produce large harvests where no other farmers could survive. Large parts of Northwestern Värmland are settled by these Finns, whos traditions and language survived until recently, when the last Finnish-speaking people died and the last smoke-houses were deserted. There are still 30 intact smoke-houses, 10 of them still in the same place on the old home-stead. Many of these old Finnish homesteads are open for tourists in the summertime and offer unique insight in a vanishing culture and also coffee, traditional food and sometimes music and other entertainment. Beautifully situated they also offer lovely views of the landscape,  where walking trails and paths open up for your adventure into the wilderness.

Lekvattnet is one of the oldest Finn-settlements in approximately 8 km away. In Lekvattnet's Hembygdsgård Karmenkynna (open air museum) in the summer  months take place medieval market with live music and food. Here you should not miss, to try once "Motti och Fläsk" - the food of the ancient Finns. Old crafts and good homemade are also offered.

The Finnculture Centre is a museum presenting the culture of the forest-finns. The exhibition “Niittaho - the flowering meadows” gives the visitor an exciting experience of the way of living in Finnskogen – buildings, handicraft, hunting, fishing, witchcraft, language and music. A small café and guided tours in the exhibition. Open all year.