Sala

Story

Sala is a locality and the seat of Sala Municipality in Västmanland County, Sweden, with 12,289 inhabitants in 2010.Sala is the home of several famous places and people, for instance "Sala-ligan". Sala is most known for its silver mine which today is open to the public for tours.HistoryThe small town is best known for its historic silver mine, which dates back to at least Medieval times, and was in operation until 1908. In 1624, the town of Sala was moved to its current location close to the mine, receiving its royal charter from King Gustavus Adolphus.The silver was important for Sweden's economy and the base for coin production. A total of 400 tonnes of silver was extracted, and 40,000 tonnes of lead; with at most 3-5 tonnes of silver during a year.The mine eventually reached a depth of 300 metres, and a total heading length of 20 kilometres. It is today a popular attraction.The spa town of Sätra brunn about 15 km from Sala is another important place for the city.SportThe first floorball club in the world was founded in Sala 1979 (Sala IBK).Notable peopleThe impressionist painter Ivan Aguéli was born in Sala in 1869. There is a small museum and a park dedicated to his memory in the centre of the town. Sala is also the domicile of the former Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Deputy Prime Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallén. She held several ministerial posts in the Social Democratic government in the 1980s and 1990s and has despite her career in politics remained in Sala and is still active in local life.