Pupletts in Sweden: Norway - Part 8 - Sundsvall to Avesta (29 June)

The final leg of our trip started in Sundsvall and progressed down the east coast of Sweden.

We had two main goals, first we wanted to see Gävle, where the Gävle goat is built every Christmas: Our Swedish Christmas post with details of the Gävle Goat and secondly we wanted to see the giant Dalahäst (Dala Horse) in Avesta.

Both of these were traditional Swedish things and, while in some cases seen with a bit of disdain by actual Swedes (kind of like Australia's big lobster, big koala, big dung-pile etc) were something worth seeing.

Gävle is the capital of Gävleborg County. It ia the oldest city in Norrland (Swedish Northern Lands), and the name is believed to derive from Gavel (River Banks). It received its official town charter in 1446.

For us, the main importance of Gävle was the Gävle Goat, a Christmas tradition started in 1966. A 13m tall, 7m long and 3 tonne heavy yule goat made of straw was installed in the Slottstorget (Castle Square) to celebrate Christmas. On New Year's Eve 1966, the goat was burnt. Since then, the goat has been burnt almost every year, despite the efforts of the police and town council. It is illegal to burn the goat, but it has become something of a tradition and the reason the goat has become so famous. It has been coated in fire-resistant material and guarded around the clock, but over the years it has been burnt 28 times (In 2015 it was burnt down on the 27th December and in 2016 it burnt down on opening day: Sweden's Christmas Goat burned down on opening day, but 11pm the night it was installed.) The installation cost around US$250,000, including its launch party.

The gates to the castle

Gävle Castle

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The field where the Gävle Goat is installed

Sculptures

Information of the Goat

After a short stop for lunch in Gävle, we headed out to Avesta to see the Dala Horse.

Dala Horse is short for Dalecarlian Horse, which is a Swedish traditional wood carved horse. They were originally carved as toys for children and there are many varieties of colours, however the red, with white, green, yellow and blue harness is the most common.

The World's Largest Dala Horse

The kids with the Dala Horse

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Our accommodation for the evening was the Rensbo Stugor. It was hard to find, but for 1000kr a night it was amazing! The area was nice and quiet and the house was huge with a nice kitchen and a washing and drying machine so we could get all the clothes clean. We'd highly recommend this place if you're in the area.