Djura – Village Culture and Cultural Landscape

Djura is defined by an unusually extensive village layout, rural architectural styles and an open cultural landscape. Many older buildings have been preserved. The different village settings and places of remembrance offer you varied insights into the history and landscape of the area.

Village Layout and Landscape

In Djura, a compact clustered village sits alongside a linear village. A clustered village is grouped more closely together, while the buildings in a linear village are arranged along a road. In Djura, these forms exist side by side in an unusually extensive village layout. The older farmsteads also display different building styles: several are enclosed on two or three sides, and there is also a farmstead enclosed on all four sides. The preserved farmsteads therefore range from partially to fully enclosed courtyards.

South of Djura, a large, open agricultural cultural landscape stretches across broad, rolling sandy soils. Nearby, the Djurån and Svartån form steeper ravines close to the Österdalälven. These are known as “sjölar.” The open landscape to the south and the steeper river ravines in the surrounding area offer two different perspectives on Djura’s landscape.

Heritage Farm and Rural Building Traditions

The buildings at Djura Hembygdsgård are arranged around a courtyard and were moved here from various villages in Djura. They showcase traditional rural architecture from the region dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. The site thus offers an insight into traditional building styles, while its origins are also connected to the preservation of a single building.

Djura Hembygdsgård was established in the early 1930s through a local initiative to prevent Nises källarstuga from being sold outside the area. Nises källarstuga dates from the mid-18th century. Its interior is entirely decorated with Dalmålningar on the wall paneling. The farmstead, the relocated buildings and this preserved interior represent different aspects of Djura’s rural architectural history.

Church and Local Heritage

The religious buildings and memorials also add to the picture of the area. Djura kapell is a hall church. A bronze statue of Vackra Carin has stood by Djura kyrka since autumn 2016. Djura’s cemetery has several gravestones on which the same name appears on one stone as a farm name and on another as a family name. This connection is of very high cultural and historical value.

Djura kyrka is open on weekdays from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm; visits are possible on weekends in connection with services and concerts. Check the opening times before your visit.

Walking Trail and Sommarfesten

The trail along the Djurån is an approximately 2 km walking route with a marked path, information boards and simple resting places. The boards explain former water-powered industries and facilities, including ironworks, mills, sawmills, smithies and fulling mills. The trail combines a walk with insights into the historical use of water power. Check trail conditions and access before your walk.

Another local tradition is Sommarfesten, an annual festival held at the Hembygdsgård. The program includes music, singing and speakers, followed by coffee. The exact festival dates vary from year to year. So check the dates for your travel period if you would like to plan your visit around the festival.

Discover more destinations: Siljansnäs, Insjön, Tällberg, Leksand, Hjortnäs.

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