Finngården Skifsen

Here the first so‑called Forest Finns came walking as early as the 1570s. They fled land shortage and famine in eastern Finland. Suddenly the vast, empty Bergslag forests became full of life.

During a period in Finland in the 1600s the weather was so cold that it is now called the Little Ice Age. Many people starved to death and many were forced from their homes and farms to escape the famine disasters. At that time Finland belonged to Sweden, and one place where they were welcome was the woods now known as the Finnskog in Grangärde.

The Forest Finns were promised six years’ tax exemption if they settled there, built a dwelling and cultivated the land. They had good knowledge of fishing and hunting, but above all they knew how to slash-and-burn in the forest and could therefore grow crops in the ash. They also knew how to build a dwelling, although they built a little differently from the Swedes. The Forest Finns’ houses had neither chimneys nor windowpanes. They let the smoke out through a hatch in the roof.

Skifsen is a Finn farm about ten kilometers south of Fredriksberg. It became one of the first six settlements in the Grangärde Finnmark. In the 1600s the Puuroinen Bure family moved here. Even today several of their descendants are talked about. Zachris Matsson Puuroinen Bure is one of them. He was not content with slash-and-burn farming and working the forest; instead he began trading in bog iron. He did so well that by the end of the 1600s he became a lay judge and managed the economy of this whole part of the Finnmark. His son, commonly called Rik‑Mats, also became so influential that even Swedish ironworks owners had to take him into account.

Forest Finns lived at Skifsen for over 400 years until the 1940s, when the last two original farms were demolished and only their foundations remained. But now a unique, voluntary and long‑term project is underway here. The association Friends of Skifsen is working to erect period‑typical Finnish houses on the farm, like those common on a Finn farm in the mid‑1700s. Today a number of buildings have already been constructed. There is even a cottage where you can stay overnight during the summer months. It is open to hikers who pass by.

The association’s ambitions are that the building techniques should be historically correct and that the building materials come from the local area. Yes, Skifsen is truly an exciting place to visit, with lots of interesting things to discover. A hiking trail starts from Säfsnäs local heritage centre in Fredriksberg; the new Skifsen trail is 22.5 km. Skifsen Day is held during Säfsen Week.

Föreningen Skifsens vänner (Swedish only)