In 1989 I spent part of the summer volunteering at Stiftsgården, a retreat center operated by the Swedish national church. It is a beautiful location on Lake Siljan. It was fun to show my family all of the cool things in and around Rättvik. We walked around town and shopped. Then we took a hike to Gammelgården, which is an open-air museum, where Midsommar is celebrated. They were getting ready to decorate the maypole for the festivities.
We hiked up to St. Davidsgården, where there is a famous religious book store and meditation center. Then we went to a local Dalahäst artist’s studio. We could see Dala–horses in production from the hand carving to the painting and detailing. We bought some of the artist’s creations and learned about this family business now in its second generation.
We enjoyed the peace and beauty of Stiftsgården, as well as the atmosphere of fun and spirituality. Swedish confirmands come here and enjoy weeks of programming similar to Bible Camp in the U.S. The Rättvik church is central to the community and right across the way from Stiftsgården. While we were there, two different schools used the medieval church for their graduations and end of the school year celebrations.
On our way out of the area, we stopped in Nittsjö at the pottery works. Nittsjö pottery is famous and we couldn’t resist bringing a little home with us. We bid the Lake Siljan area a fond good-bye. I hope that someday I will return. The memories I have from 1989 and now 2007 will always be special to me.
We hiked up to St. Davidsgården, where there is a famous religious book store and meditation center. Then we went to a local Dalahäst artist’s studio. We could see Dala–horses in production from the hand carving to the painting and detailing. We bought some of the artist’s creations and learned about this family business now in its second generation.
We enjoyed the peace and beauty of Stiftsgården, as well as the atmosphere of fun and spirituality. Swedish confirmands come here and enjoy weeks of programming similar to Bible Camp in the U.S. The Rättvik church is central to the community and right across the way from Stiftsgården. While we were there, two different schools used the medieval church for their graduations and end of the school year celebrations.
On our way out of the area, we stopped in Nittsjö at the pottery works. Nittsjö pottery is famous and we couldn’t resist bringing a little home with us. We bid the Lake Siljan area a fond good-bye. I hope that someday I will return. The memories I have from 1989 and now 2007 will always be special to me.
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