World Heritage Gästgivars
Guided tours
Step into the magnificent festivities building, constructed in 1840
exclusively to host a wedding celebration, and experience history brought
to life by our expert guides. Discover the fascinating story behind the
legendary Gästgivars and explore the rich customs and traditions that
shaped these remarkable farmhouses—rural mansions that stand as a
testament to the unique farming culture of 19th-century Hälsingland.
Entrance
Guided tours available daily during the peak season from 11:00 AM to
4:00 PM. Price: 175 SEK per person, free for children up to 15 years old
when accompanied by an adult.
Duration: 1 hour.
Film about Gästgivars
Join building conservation specialist Erika Åberg on a guided tour of the
magnificent festivities building at the World Heritage farm Gästgivars.
Together with the farm’s owner, Björn Ohlson, she explores the site’s unique
history – from the vibrant stencil paintings to the stories still echoing
through the walls.
Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland
In 2012, Gästgivars, along with six other farmhouses in Hälsingland, was inscribed on
UNESCO’s World Heritage List. These farmhouses were singled out from thousands
across the region as the best preserved. They are unique to the world and must be
preserved for future generations.
UNESCO World Heritage Committee’s reasoning:
The large, impressive farmhouses of Hälsingland, with their richly decorated festivities
rooms, represent an exceptional blend of timber construction and folk art tradition.
They reflect the prosperity and social status of the independent farmers who built them,
and stand as the culmination of a long-standing tradition in Hälsingland.
Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland, is regarded as the best-preserved and most
representative example of this building tradition, showcasing the region’s unique
cultural heritage.
Gästgivars
The large festivities building at Gästgivars in Vallsta was decorated by the influential
Swedish painter Jonas Wallström. Wallström’s high proficiency enabled him to imitate
Wedgwood’s finest English porcelain, and he developed a way of stencilling that spread to
other parts of Sweden.
The farmhouse takes its name from the inn, “Gästgiveri” in Swedish, that was run at the
farm during the 1700:s and 1800:s.
Gästgivars has its origins as early as the Middle Ages. It is a privately owned farm with
open activity, primarily during the summer. There is a fully licensed restaurant and café,
Visitor Center, and a shop. Various events are arranged all year around. Gästgivars is open
daily during the summer with guided tours several times a day.
Visitor Center
CONTACT
Phone: 073-957 73 77
Email : info@gastgivars.se
Address: Gamla Orbadenvägen 29, 821 67 Vallst
- © 2025 Världsarvet Gästgivars