Traditions of Mora
A Dalarna town at the end of Lake Siljan, where the Vasaloppet ski race and the red Dala horse come from.
Mora lies in Dalarna, the province considered the heart of Swedish folk culture. The Vasaloppet, a 90 kilometre cross-country ski race from Sälen to Mora, is held each March and commemorates the king Gustav Vasa. The painted Dala horse, a wooden toy, comes from this region and is a symbol of Sweden.
Vasaloppet and the Dala horse
Around fifteen thousand skiers take part in the race, finishing in the town to cheers and blueberry soup. Dala horses are carved from pine and painted bright red with flowers. In summer, the Midsummer maypole is raised by the church boats on Lake Siljan, and people row to church in long boats.
At the table
Racers eat blåbärssoppa, blueberry soup, at the finish. Dalarna's local dishes include pytt i panna, a hash, and tunnbröd, thin flatbread. Mora is also the home of the Mora knife, whose red-handled blades are carved by hand. Coffee with a cinnamon bun is the daily break.
Signature traditions of Mora
Also part of it, and being written: Dalecarlian horse (The wooden horse.), Mora knife (The knife.).
A trail idea for Mora
- Zorn Museum See paintings of local life.
- Vasaloppet finish line Visit in March.
- Siljan lake See the church boats.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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