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All Sweden Avesta Dalahästen

Dalahästen

The world's biggest version of the popular Swedish souvenir.

Avesta, Sweden

Added By
CoolCrab
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Dalahästen   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Dalahästen   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Dalahästen   Eget arbete
Dalahästen   Eget arbete
Dalahästen   Greger Ravik
Dalahästen   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Small traffic blockers near the big one.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Dalahästen   Hardo Müller
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About

The Dalecarlian Horse is one of Sweden's unofficial national symbols. Many Swedish households have one of these wooden horses somewhere around the house. Most of these horses are tiny and fit on a bookshelf, however, this one is larger than life. 

The horse was unveiled on December 13, 1989 in the town of Avesta to draw tourists to the small region. The horse is composed of concrete and spans an impressive 43 feet (13 meters) and weighs 68 tons. The biggest in the world!

Interestingly enough, it worked. The horse was a very popular destination in Avesta. However, over time interest waned and people stopped visiting the horse. The various shops and stands around the horse started to disappear. Over time, the horse was nearly forgotten and sat in a parking lot along with two clothing stores and a cafe.

Unfortunately, the horse was not well maintained over time and begun to fade and crack. However, in 2019 the local municipality took over ownership and restored it to its former glory. The restored horse was unveiled in late 2019, exactly 30 years after its construction. 

Related Tags

Architecture Horses History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The horse is freely accessible in Avesta. It's about 90 minutes driving distance from Stockholm. Just follow Google maps.

Community Contributors

Added By

CoolCrab

Published

July 10, 2020

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Sources
  • https://avesta.se/avesta-100-ar---kommunfesten/jubileumsavslutning-med-aterinvigning-dalahasten/?fbclid=IwAR0C8_6A87Fx57_1wAOtrV8qZ0QVcO1mN4MhlQQmhc6PxEgUYTgQCe7gtYo
  • https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/dalarna/fran-fallfardig-till-fin-har-ar-historien-om-varlden-storsta-dalahast
  • https://www.weekendnotes.com/worlds-largest-dalecarlian-horse-avesta/
Dalahästen
35 Get Johannas väg
Avesta, 774 61
Sweden
60.152223, 16.200333
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Mörksugga Statue

Avesta, Sweden

miles away

Oil Island

Fagersta N, Sweden

miles away

Little Istanbul

Sala, Sweden

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Avesta

Avesta

Sweden

Places 2

Nearby Places

Mörksugga Statue

Avesta, Sweden

miles away

Oil Island

Fagersta N, Sweden

miles away

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Sala, Sweden

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Avesta

Avesta

Sweden

Places 2

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