Mora, Sweden

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Mora

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image_caption = Zorn Museum in Mora
image_shield =
pushpin_

settlement_type = Town
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Mora Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Dalarna County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Dalarna
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 12.35
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 10,940
population_density_km2 = 886
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=61 |latm=01 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=14 |longm=32 |longs= |longEW=E
website = http://www.mora.se/

Mora is a town (pop. 11,000) in Dalecarlia, Sweden and the seat of Mora Municipality, Dalarna County.

History

There are sign of human activity in the sourondings of Mora dating from 4000 B.C.

The earliest found buildings in Mora are from the 7th century. Some of the buildings can today be found in Mora's open air museum "Zorns gammelgård".

Probably Mora parish was founded in the 13th century.

In the 16th century, Gustav Vasa, stopped in Mora, in order to organize a rebellion against the Danish troops which occupied Sweden. The citizens of Mora first denied helping Gustav Vasa, but later regret their denial when the Gustav Vasa where continuing towards the norwegian boarder. According the legend two men from Mora caught up with the Gustave Vasa in Sälen and told him his people would now fight with him. The rebellion managed to overthrow the Danish gouvernment in Sweden and Gustav Vasa was installed as king of Sweden.

During the 18th century the sourrondings of Mora was struck by famine, and many citizens had to leave their homes. Most went to Stockholm and southern Sweden where they learnt new craftman skils. Returning to Mora they used their new knowledge to build up new industries. During the end of the 18th century and the 19th century productions of clocks, sewing machines, knives and water taps.

Geography

The town is located between the northern shore of lake Siljan and the souther shore of lake Orsasjön where Österdal River enters Siljan. Mora lies on the west side of Europe's biggest meteor impact crater (Siljansringen).

The northern part of the municipality marks the beginning of the Scandinavian mountain range.

Culture

Midsummer

As the rest of the muncipalities around Lake Siljan, also in Mora, the summer solicate celebration of Midsummer plays an important role in the cultural life. People dress up in traditional folk costumes, raise maypoles, play traditional music and dance around the maypole.

Anders Zorn

The house where Swedish painter Anders Zorn was born in 1860 is located next to the church of Mora and is open to the public. A museum containing many of his works of art has been built next door.

Statues

A statue of King Gustav Vasa, made by Zorn is placed on a small hill by the finish of Vasaloppet in Mora. Another statute picturing Anders Zorn is located in the park behind the district court house of Mora. A third statue of a cross country ski-runner is placed in front of Mora's municipal house next to the town's characteristic red wooden clock tower.

ports

Icehockey

Mora IK played a couple of seasons in the highest Swedish ice hockey league Elitserien. Currently the team plays in the second league Hockeyallsvenskan.

kiing

Mora is also known as the town of the finish of the Vasaloppet, an enduring 90 kilometers cross country skiing event held in the honour of Gustav Vasa. The competion is visited by more than 48,000 annual participants in all the skiing events throughout the Vasaloppetweek in the begining of March.

Cycling

A famous cycling event, the VasaTrampet is a summer version of the Vasaloppet with its start and finish in Mora.

Craftmanship

The town of Mora is well known for its craft products.

A famous Swedish souvenir, dalahäst, a wooden horse, is produced in the village Nusnäs just outside Mora.

In Mora, the high quality and inexpensive, morakniv is produced.

Notes

Mora as a "municipality" never got the title of a city ("stad") before the local government reform of 1971, but as the population exceeds 10,000 the "locality" is today counted as a city by Statistics Sweden.

References