More than just a national energy center – association wants to revive Porjus as a visitor destination

Along the E45 highway between Jokkmokk and Gällivare is a destination with great potential. Porjus is not only a place for those looking for peace and quiet, but also a place that carries history, culture and of course beautiful nature. Here by the Lule River there is a rich history of hydroelectric power, but also an opportunity to experience high quality art – a unique experience for visitors who want to discover new parts of Arctic Sweden.

Near the old workers’ housing, just outside the town center, stands a large sculpture, beautifully located at the entrance to the power plant area. A closer look reveals that it is a work of art by Bo Holmlund. The stone sculpture weighs 400 tons, reaches 15 meters up to the sky and stands here in memory of the hydropower development era. This is logical, as the hydroelectric power station and dam form the backdrop to the work of art. The monument can also be seen as a tribute to all the men and women who helped create the foundations of our prosperity.

A stone’s throw away, in a spectacular building called LaponiaPorten, designed by architect Bengt Aili, Kulturporten operates. Victoria Harnesk is the president of the association.

“Porjus is an intense place with a rich industrial history, a living cultural landscape with great scope for the crucial transition issues of the future,” says Victoria, looking out over the dam through the panoramic windows of the LaponiaPort.

Electrification has been identified by many as the key to transition and competitiveness. In 2022, the Lule River produced 17.4 TWh, accounting for around 11% of Sweden’s electricity production. Porjus plays a central role in the industrial development of Sweden and has many exciting messages and stories to share.

“The challenges are to make the business work, to get people to find their way here – both locals and tourists. But we see opportunities, there is room to collaborate with both local and regional actors and with Vattenfall,” says Victoria Harnesk.

“The driving forces behind the important local associations have seen the potential to develop the community of Porjus with more visitors all year round. And Porjus really has great opportunities to succeed, with its unique and valuable assets to take advantage of, its strategic location between Jokkmokk and Gällivare and as a “gateway” to the world heritage Laponia”, says Annika Fredriksson, CEO, Swedish Lapland Visitors Board.

An association that wants to contribute to a living village

Kulturporten is a newly formed art and culture association that wants to collaborate with associations, businesses, artists and local residents to contribute to a vibrant village for all ages. Both for those who live nearby, and for those who pass by.

“We want to create a continuous and inclusive activity by offering cultural experiences with a work of art. For example, during the summer of 2024, we combined an exhibition from the Museum of Norrbotten, “Norrland’s water-related cultural environments”, with an exhibition by Sámi artist Katarina Pirak Sikku, “Snávva was once”, says Victoria.

The exhibitions go hand in hand and both show how the development has affected nature and of course the community.

Completed in 1915, the Porjus hydropower plant was a technological marvel for its time and played a crucial role in Sweden’s electrification. But this technological marvel, which once drew thousands of people to Porjus, also became one of the reasons for the depopulation of the village. With automation, jobs disappeared and the community lost its economic base. But Victoria Harnesk is careful not to be bitter, and to highlight all there is to experience in her home town:

“There is of course an industrial history here and just outside LaponiaPorten there is an exhibition about the development of hydroelectric power, here is the children’s power builder country and also the rally trail that stretches all the way to Gällivare. Porjus is suitable for young and old, dog owners and motorhome travelers. Here you can explore nature, hanging lava forests, bird watching, meet the Sami culture, industrial history, see war memories and remains from the Stone Age”.

Culture, nature, war memories and Stone Age remains

She also tells us about Porjustallen, which may be one of Sweden’s oldest pines, and about the fantastic view from Porjusberget. For those interested in war memories, there is a wreck of the Easy Elsie airplane on a bog outside the village. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing after being shot down during the Second World War. It is easy to find and there is a fireplace, wood, dry toilet and cold spring. Read more here.

During the summers, LaponiaPorten is open with a café where guests can enjoy coffee and at the same time see current exhibitions. During the summer of 2024, successful events were organized for families together with Norrbotten Museum. Children could try their hand at grinding flour with a stone-age mill, go on a quiz walk, make clay pots and bake stick bread. They could also visit the Stone Age grave Ligga, where the Norrbotten Museum has conducted a rescue investigation because the grave is about to erode into the Stora Lule River.

Laponia Gate – part of the Laponia World Heritage Site

The Laponia Gate is one of the information nodes and entrances to the Laponia World Heritage Site. Here is an exhibition about what happens in Laponia in the time of the blue winter light and the dancing northern lights. The film Guojttem – Sami thoughts about heaven and earth is also shown here, and the reindeer herder talks about winter work with the reindeer. Visitors can learn more about how to make the most of what the reindeer and nature provide, how to make clothes and everything needed to get ready.

The hotel in Porjus is currently closed, but visitors can eat “the best burger between Gällivare and Jokkmokk” at Ennás. The general store has supplies. And those who are still in the center can take a look at the iconic statue God’s Hand by the world-famous Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. The statue of God’s Hand also adorns its place in other metropolises such as Japan, Australia, China and at Millesgården, Lidingö.

At porjus.se you can read more about the destination and get tips on attractions.