Discover Mattmar: Church, Views and Local History

Mattmar brings together a medieval church, an elevated rest area with views across the Indalsälven Valley, and winter activities at Stora Drafsjön. This gives you a clear focus when choosing your destination: local history and scenery sit alongside activities whose conditions depend on the season. Mattmar Church and the rest area beside it form a distinctive landmark; at Vaetabacken, local association history and a mountain pasture farm add to the picture. Fishing and snowmobile trails offer two different starting points for planning a trip, each requiring its own checks in advance.

Church and Local History

Mattmar Church is a medieval church whose original form was built in the late 11th century. A stone church was built on the same site in the 14th century. This chronology gives the local history two clearly distinct milestones: an early form of the church and the later stone building. For travelers who also consider history when choosing where to stay, the church is a tangible point of reference. It offers a way to place Mattmar’s past across several centuries without reducing it to a single building phase.

Valley Views and Vaetabacken

A rest area operated by the Swedish Transport Administration is located right next to the church. It is elevated and offers views across the Indalsälven Valley, the Oviksfjällen and the Årefjällen. The church and rest area thus represent two different sides of Mattmar: medieval architectural history and a viewpoint that takes in both the valley and the mountains. Vaetabacken also has its own connection to the local landscape. The Mattmar Local Heritage Association built a viewing tower there, adding another structure to the local landmarks.

Local History and Seasonal Activities

There is also a mountain pasture farm at Vaetabacken. It was gradually assembled from buildings originating at various mountain pasture sites in the parish. Its creation brings together the building history of several such sites in one place. This offers a distinct way to explore the parish’s history, alongside the medieval church and the viewing tower. Over the years, Midsummer celebrations have been among the Mattmar Local Heritage Association’s recurring activities.

A bakehouse can be rented through the association. If you would like to include this option in your travel plans, arrange dates and conditions directly with the association. The Mattmar Local Heritage Association also ran a waffle café during the summer holidays. If you are planning around this seasonal offering, ask about current dates before your trip.

Winter Activities

Fishing is possible at Stora Drafsjön in Mattmar during winter. Check winter conditions and applicable permits before your trip. Another activity is the snowmobile trails that start from Mattmar. They are operated and maintained by the Sällsjön Snowmobile Club, and operations are seasonal. Before using them, check current conditions with the club. The distinction matters when planning: winter fishing is the focus at the lake, while the snowmobile trails are a network operated and maintained by the club. Your preferred activity will determine which conditions you should check in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ottsjö, Mörsil, Undersåker, Handöl, Bydalen, Hallen, Järpen, Huså.

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