Leksand (pop. 14,000), on the Österdalälv at the southeast end of Lake Siljan, is the chief place in the commune of Leksand, which includes more than 90 small villages. A section of the town of Leksand features preserved old homes. Leksand church, originally built in the 13th century, has an onion-domed tower added in the 18th century and a Baroque interior with a 14th century crucifix. The Hembygsgård houses a local museum, with a varied collection of material (including a school museum). The Tinghus contains a collection of pictures by local artists.
The well-preserved old wooden farmhouses of Matsgården in Östbjörka and Skräddargården in Stumsnäs have collections of the famous folk paintings (dalmålningar) of Dalarna.
The focal point of the midsummer celebrations in Leksand is the Sammilsdal open-air museum, where in the second half of July every year a mystery play similar to "Everyman", the "Himlaspel", is performed. Also of interest to visitors are the church boats, in which, from midsummer to August, the local people, often still wearing traditional costumes, row to church and on occasions race against each other.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
