Gävle goat, Christmas straw structure in Slottstorget, Sweden
The Gävle goat is a large straw figure erected each year at Slottstorget in Gävle, Sweden. The construction stands 13 meters (roughly 43 feet) tall, built from a wooden frame covered with straw mats and adorned with red ribbons and electric lights.
Since 1966, the people of Gävle have raised this large straw goat at the start of Advent, marking the beginning of the Christmas season. The tradition has become a symbol of the city, drawing international attention each year.
The figure shows a traditional Swedish Julbock, once made from straw for the Christmas season. Local craftspeople tie almost 13,000 knots by hand to attach the straw mats to the wooden frame, carrying forward old techniques.
Visitors can observe the goat through webcams that stream continuously during the holidays, drawing viewers from more than 120 countries. The figure is usually completed in early December and remains in the square until after New Year.
The construction requires 1,200 meters (roughly 3,937 feet) of timber, 2,500 nails, and straw from a specific farm near Enköping, chosen for its strength. The goat has become so famous over the years that it has been the target of arson multiple times and is now protected by security measures.
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