Finngården Rikkenstorp

In the 17th century, Finland experienced several periods of crop failure, during which a third of the population starved to death. To survive, many Finns fled famine and unrest in Finland, which was then part of Sweden, and migrated to Bergslagen. However, as early as the late 1500s, many forest Finns had already sought refuge in the region. One of the places they settled was Rikkenstorp, located on a ridge near what is now Lammitjärnen.
 
The 1600s were a turbulent time in Sweden, marked by wars and famine that claimed many lives. King Charles XI realized that the deserted forest areas of Bergslagen could be cultivated to support the forest Finns who arrived. In return, these Finns could become soldiers and taxpayers for the Swedish crown. To encourage settlement, the king promised them a piece of land to stake out, build homes on, and clear through slash-and-burn agriculture. In exchange, they were exempt from taxes for the first six years.
 

The Finnish houses were called “pörte” or smoke cottages because they lacked chimneys. Instead, smoke gathered under the ceiling and was released through a hatch. Early smoke cottages had no windows, but over time, they adopted Swedish designs, incorporating small openings and shutters. By the mid-1800s, most Finns had transitioned to Swedish-style houses with chimneys and windows. However, some smoke cottages remained in use until the early 1900s.
 

Even today, many lakes, streams, and other forest landmarks bear names that recall the forest Finns. Place names ending in –aho indicate an old slash-and-burn field, –lampi refers to a pond, and –puro denotes a brook.
 

The forest Finns often built their farms on elevated terrain to avoid frost in the autumn, as the cold air, being heavier than warm air, rolled down the hillsides. At Finngården Rikkenstorp, several Finnish families lived, including the Putkinen and Luominen families. The Rikkinen family farmed the land from the 1680s until the 1940s.
 

After the farm stood abandoned for 30 years, the Holmdahl family from Gothenburg moved in. They restored the dilapidated farm to reflect its peak era in the 1860s when it was most extensive and cultivated.
Here, the modern and stressful lifestyle feels far away as you wander the trails around the farm or rest on the benches near the smoke cottage’s yard. The site is always open to visitors.
 

Facts

400-year-old Finnish farm, privately owned but accessible year-round.
The small Finnmark Museum in the barn can be opened on request, as can the smoke cottage.
By the lake, you can rent a cabin with a sauna if you wish to stay longer.
Guided tours, walks along the Finn trails, and stories about Finnmark life and Dan Andersson can be booked with Nils Holmdahl at +46 70 553 59 48.
www.rikkenstorp.se >

 

 


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