23 JUNE 2026
Morkarla Old School
One of the country's most uniquely preserved school environments — the classroom in Morkarla has remained untouched since the last day of teaching on 24 October 1949.
About the School
Morkarla old school closed in 1949 and has been preserved since the 1960s by the teacher couple Gunnar and Christina Ahlbäck, who wanted to keep the environment alive for future generations. The result is an almost magical time capsule: original school desks, teaching materials and blackboard with the last note still there — all in exactly the place it was left more than seventy years ago.
The school is today considered one of Sweden's most authentically preserved primary school environments and has been used as a filming location for adaptations of Astrid Lindgren books, thanks to its genuine 1940s atmosphere.
What to See and Experience
In the classroom, all original furniture and objects remain — no later additions or reconstructions. The blackboard still bears a note from 24 October 1949, the day teaching ceased. The environment provides a rare direct contact with what a Swedish rural primary school looked like in the middle of the 1900s.
Guided tours can be booked via Dannemora Hembygdsförening, which can also show the documentary film Den gamla skolan with interviews of former pupils and historical perspectives on school life in Morkarla.
How to Get There
The school is located at Morkarla 106, 748 91 Österbybruk in Östhammars municipality. Car is the most convenient option from Österbybruk, which is reached via road 76 from Uppsala or Norrtälje. Contact Dannemora Hembygdsförening for current visiting times and to book a guided tour.