Sometimes, when my interlocutors find out where I am from, for some reason they start asking about the Vikings and imagine that we live in a similar way of life. Well, what can I say... the Vikings were smart guys and therefore did not live so far north. After all, the indigenous peoples are Sami tribes, for whom the Vikings seemed to be distant southerners from a green country.

![30](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYhYokK27PsrmNT7RErdUpZQWSuwanqQ2bhSQJqFcHvRB/30.jpg)


Nevertheless, many of my friends are impressed to imagine themselves as descendants of fearless northern conquerors. And to be honest, I really like Scandinavian epics. But even in them, the more southern locations of the events are clearly defined. And then one day, in order to feel the atmosphere of Scandinavia more deeply, we went far to the south to the historical and ethnographic open-air museum with the beautiful name Svargas.

![0](https://images.ecency.com/DQmd6FUGKsk8kVokfMPkMBxnKAnfhu9PdKRgbHbXsdMmpSV/0.jpg)

Vargas, translates as "sunny city". And this is really a whole city, such as the cities were in the 8th-12th century in these lands, founded by the Varangians. The creators of this project set a noble goal to recreate the life of the Middle Ages and tell about it in an interesting way for the guests.

![1](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUngfVPfcQwfnm3hy5AoqLqZjgFLeiy7sWYW6iG3yZ7dH/1.jpg)

This is not just a permanently open museum, but a truly living city, most of whose employees live here on a permanent basis. And they continue to constantly build and develop the city.

![16](https://images.ecency.com/DQmaT3SoNc5VygYMp2LZqCFJht6yojQNrATdnAbLC19VCnU/16.jpg)

![17](https://images.ecency.com/DQma2Z22feU1YmD1T2tdjMZF7CCR1jxwpCZBvBSa6gbGHht/17.jpg)

Of course, they do not immerse themselves in such a distant time completely, abandoning modern amenities in terms of tools, or technology. However, in most rooms there really is no electricity or water supply. 

![12](https://images.ecency.com/DQmVSGVaub3w2iwuibh55Y1RfrLfGKFU7bzCoQhguMaxAEJ/12.jpg)

![8](https://images.ecency.com/DQmPedfrdQeuZgHk3J9VfskTNxriSdsVoHqtjuogcURR8gk/8.jpg)

![11_1](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQKFFkG1Ey8YjKan7BWLYPswtZWotbqGfAMRfefHVXxTX/11_1.jpg)

To be honest, initially I was very skeptical. It seemed to me that it will a bit of a theatrical event in which employees would try to talk like Vikings, be surprised when you use modern words, or threaten you with weapons if you violated the customs of a thousand years ago. In general, like that uncle dressed as Santa Claus and speaking in a bass voice.

![48](https://images.ecency.com/DQmb68bwCEzxAS8A5hGatLmrkw1RQDqBj9yVXQ1zcLfeZhF/48.jpg)

But it turned out to be quite the opposite. Yes, the locals wear historical clothes, yes they try to live in the everyday life of that time, and yes they even have runic names. But they are not just actors, but researchers and educated enthusiasts.

![37](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUXHqqsQ5biEpSjvU6RcPLwyFYjnd2mT57bbSWQsALceq/37.jpg)|![39](https://images.ecency.com/DQmPvM2nFKXw8UK8igeTPYRzQN3WRTVJS2MYAci8V1933sa/39.jpg)|![40](https://images.ecency.com/DQmfBwSWsExjFm8UyWscA5q4j3jFVdw2cBnZ4S3WjBGL4c3/40.jpg)|
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The purpose of this place is experimental archaeology. Meeting tourists is only an educational component. But the main thing for all these people is to understand in practice how the Vikings really lived in the Middle Ages.


![45](https://images.ecency.com/DQmaSLHmq8CsbYHsVZ4C2ktQR5MhtewQZEk93SqVh1PpDjR/45.jpg)

![13](https://images.ecency.com/DQmaQ4MajQKc8RQ4iNpotWhbSR9nmQdWwsZ19rTo4aCNV48/13.jpg)


For example, where did they get iron ore for weapons? From the mine? Or maybe they were picking stones with picks? Or was it obtained in battle? Maybe. But what did they make a pickaxe out of, or how could they be so successful in combat without iron weapons?

![42](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZTfa8Cj8WrbJ8i8Jt3iKB8RrYcCH7EtQyexk1FUpfVTm/42.jpg)

![44](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcjpePXpLkJ8gVH7Q7wYp8nPL7dkDsv12RMHYEcTJgssg/44.jpg)

The answer was literally on the surface - there is a lot of iron ore in the form of raw stones in the local marshes. The women collected the ore and brought it to the blacksmiths. And they spent a lot of time and effort to make it suitable for processing, and start forging weapons. And then the guide can ask you a second interesting question - and where did they get coal for the forges?


![15](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbZE3e1g5TTJssqahVN1MUxtL9VdriYn7GbMw4Z7b4sbx/15.jpg)


And that's how every day employees try to repeat the life of people as it was a thousand years ago in these parts. And confirm or refute many historical theories. At the same time, they communicate with you in a clear language and with indescribable enthusiasm, it is clear that they like their occupation.

![13.3](https://images.ecency.com/DQmU79RnU6wB544JTwdnzX4mKPvSKw1TLi88qNrxUwGRBnm/13.3.jpg)


They will answer any question, dispel many misconceptions. They will give you any weapon or utensils to hold. They will teach you to shoot a bow, or milk a goat. Everything you want, any classes of the distant past, and all this in a very open and friendly atmosphere.

![vf7qgmcxlfhu4k4r9tetaofo0unlqthjv04sbxc5cwmddq5cib08kc2anekgovqmpq14bq](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUnei9WVGWtk36pYFopokTu3AdXS5id7itEg5Z6mjnR3F/vf7qgmcxlfhu4k4r9tetaofo0unlqthjv04sbxc5cwmddq5cib08kc2anekgovqmpq14bq.jpg)





![46](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbwNFNgxqhK4zHEWxn6oFe4ZyLxJAShk1o1i1bkU81X3E/46.jpg)

![51](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZPxBWNDmQLcFPaBvR3mojJLpSkP8HfKA69Bi53V5Pvsc/51.jpg)

Surprisingly, this does not prevent you from feeling an indescribable historical atmosphere here. Oh, yes, the guy who was telling you on the runes an hour ago suddenly becomes a DJ console with two laptops. And before the concert, the musicians tune the speakers and microphones, it doesn't matter.


![10](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYQkhjQg9rwKfxvGP5sFeP1PXM7DmWQrccquYxaBdyYbZ/10.jpg)

There are so many little things that take you to the distant past that you rather feel a little ridiculous, out of place, and not vice versa. It's as if not modern people tried to build and recreate something from the past, but you got into that distant past for real.


![38](https://images.ecency.com/DQmVSTKcHtfUPcT5YWn1P7jt3B6DDneKS6oysDtDf7KJiep/38.jpg)

![9](https://images.ecency.com/DQmeFSn6YEXQQpxY3LB68VMcdj8c627jVYzCKz2FaCLGVZZ/9.jpg)


![18](https://images.ecency.com/DQmV8Ev5jMuN8VsZUKq3DJV6HBKs8NuEz7RyyH2hiGQ9nLi/18.jpg)|![19](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNLsQTYkhj6PZFSf51a5TztoYBSj7Yf9NynXWWpSQGfeX/19.jpg)|![20](https://images.ecency.com/DQmPDb7AWne5kxZUU37Ghf1sKNFtL4vKJNsKKeXEHjMGFYd/20.jpg)|
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![21](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQ5BhSuGRs1eZXBYL1mwtWSfZTUVSEs4c8z4sFpLz94Ao/21.jpg)

![22](https://images.ecency.com/DQmfGXi61ZytU4633d8fScptTtjYxgvcku7mfGuhDRFYhDv/22.jpg)

![24](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYCXbawTYNEjmwSoMRzjzT54RYzC1gXzvTcAUeBiBgKXU/24.jpg)


![23](https://images.ecency.com/DQmfU54qDCGupznVYeKqh6HeshcFrqfp8DhYBfUNWhKvgZ8/23.jpg)


![25](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbyS6mSaUEGkCTbNsou7czoxVuZnPLk8fbg9qCtDBaC2m/25.jpg)

![26](https://images.ecency.com/DQmXPXSA3hXk5fqbxyGR2eGtF173xaHuDJKGXydFg37duLY/26.jpg)


The atmosphere of the past is created here not only by human hands, but also by nature itself. A very good place has been chosen for the museum, just 9 kilometers from the nearest town, but at the same time nature looks untouched here. 

![57](https://images.ecency.com/DQmT2K7YfCnVbV6XEFBkcJ7LKsHrX19koScSdJgT3L2LaBF/57.jpg)

![58](https://images.ecency.com/DQmdMxxDoZk4ECUNv9675hNYKmSWQQuqWuLX6GebjjJ7bJa/58.jpg)

![59](https://images.ecency.com/DQmX5r1BybxFvBmA1xKRhzgZe7Zp6EsiCewSJ13vVvfGfit/59.jpg)

![100](https://images.ecency.com/DQmT2K7YfCnVbV6XEFBkcJ7LKsHrX19koScSdJgT3L2LaBF/100.jpg)

![101](https://images.ecency.com/DQmf4fj3k9UoyEqQ9h4aE5TaEQ43WYQF2y9GMWQ7t74p44m/101.jpg)


![55](https://images.ecency.com/DQmVwEg9W8HS8YyzqCArYDfcBGgmTtD5yEjZDxkQUydt8u3/55.jpg)


Huge boulders overgrown with moss everywhere. Dense undergrowth and a group of lakes. It takes you out of the pace and images of the modern world.


![2](https://images.ecency.com/DQmdMxxDoZk4ECUNv9675hNYKmSWQQuqWuLX6GebjjJ7bJa/2.jpg)


![7](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQJms9Kqjffq8simmjumsjTUS3yWZXfSQkuv1UMM8v64S/7.jpg)


![32](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYSU3eerZY2YVeH34drAVh2n4dmhV2MGF5dRid3cKD98T/32.jpg)

![36](https://images.ecency.com/DQmX3a8HyVrjaeLxz2diwFf33xYZraU5njF9MZg4pjVbgjy/36.jpg)



No extraneous sounds except nature and the life of a small town from the dark times, behind your back. The huge cat of the local prince likes to wander with tourists, and judging by its size often receives treats from them.

![54](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYRY6EH6XmKXQ4tLJAGaHSbZwVCkAABPDV4NcWXHe59kG/54.jpg)

![5](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNM3UD5HmHswx4BJ8WEPqTAFzDXrgrg2jxpQfwqiYLF8q/5.jpg)

![6](https://images.ecency.com/DQmS8YLbsU4nPe3jvmsprGQXA6Txw29hyM9XP4pAhievmuv/6.jpg)




A truly sunny city, with its own inner sun, the light of which comes from the people who live and work here, they really love their work and love this life and are happy to share it with everyone.


![28](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYVRrkJCs3xb72EqWUpz41KkorVm4vdrHy5rmvGx9bqk2/28.jpg)

![29](https://images.ecency.com/DQmWEJp9BBFUTRnDQ3B9cAXDSRXRz15K25YpPbWdK2N3nhS/29.jpg)


Thanks to such projects we will learn a lot about different historical epochs. But even if not, such places should definitely continue to exist. As a cultural object, or historical, or entertainment. Or as just a place for the soul...


[//]:# (!pinmapple 60.814286 lat 28.814926 long Svargas: The Sunny City of The Good "Vikings" d3scr)