Skansen

Founded in 1891, the Skansen Open Air Museum is world's first and oldest open-air museum located on Djurgarden island in Stockholm. During the 19th century, Sweden’s rustic lifestyle was rapidly giving way to an industrialised society and many feared that the country might lose its traditional customs and occupations in history. It was then that Artur Hazelius got inspired to open this museum. His aim was to preserve the original lifestyle of Sweden before the industrial era as well as showcase it to the world. He did it in a right way as one can get to experience the real sense of past all around while strolling through the museum. It is kind of a miniature historical Sweden, reflected both in the buildings and its surroundings. Explore the five centuries of Swedish past in the historical buildings and dwellings. A part of the museum demonstrates different social conditions in which people lived in Sweden from 16th to first half of the 20th century. Around 150 farms and dwellings were disassembled and transported here from different parts of the country to bring forth the authentic culture. Swedish traditions like Midsummer, Walpurgis Night and Lucia are celebrated at Skansen.