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The History of Hälsingland

In the beginning, Hälsingland was not really connected with the rest of Sweden. It was more like a country of its own. The large forests situated in the southern part of the province made it difficult to link Hälsingland with the rest of Sweden. The first population settled down 6 000 years ago, as Hälsingland was an area rich in both fishing and hunting possibilities.

The Viking Era

Many findings from the Viking Era have been found. The most famous one is a large temple that was built to honour Oden - the king of the Gods in Nordic mythology. Moreover, the Vikings had early contact with the Far East. A treasure has been found in the bay of Alfta with more than hundred Arabian coins. There are many fairy-tales about the Vikings and the most famous hero in these fairy-tales is the giant Starkotter from Alfta. He is known not only in Sweden but in whole Europe.

The Middle Ages

Already in prehistoric time the "hälsingar" (the inhabitants in Hälsingland) made long commercial journeys. To be able to make these journeys, channels were created so that travellers could reach both Norway and the southern part of Sweden.
Photo
Photo: Adlercreutz Copyright © Elfsborgs Fästning AB

It was through trade with Norway the "hälsingar" met with Christianity and during the 11th century the holy Staffan arrived. The Church was not organised until the 12th century although Christianity arrived during the 11th century.

"Hälsingelagen" , Hälsingland's own law was written down in 1320 but the law already existed in oral form long before .

During the 16th and 17th century, Finnish craftsmen came to Hälsingland. In the surroundings of Bollnäs and Alfta you can find several villages named after these Finish immigrants.

The 18th and 19th centuries

Ever since the Middle Ages, Hälsingland was one of the most important areas in Northern Europe concerning flax production but the industry did not really prosper until the 18th and 19th century.

It was not only the flax industry that worked out well during this period. Culture prospered, handicrafts were developed and the most important farmers began to make fortunes. They travelled around in the province with their merchandise - flax, wool and woven fabric. They also participated in commercial trade between Sweden and Norway.

During the time of the popular movements,the free church movement had become very important in the province and in our days they still talk about Edsbyn (a village in Hälsingland) as "frikyrkornas Mecka" (the Mecca of the Free Church).

The development from the 1850 century advanced at a very high tempo. The value of the forests was discovered, the epoch of the timber industry began and in Ljusnan timber became more and more important. The tradition of wood, especially in the Voxna Valley, became strong and several companies are still producing wood-products.

In 1878 "Norra stambanan" (the Northern railway) was connected with Bollnäs and in 1899 the railway between Edsbyn and Dala-Hälsingland was built. The railway was very important in the future development of this part of Sweden and Bollnäs became an important junction. Furthermore, the industrialisation in both municipalities grew and became increasingly important.


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