Sala Silver Mine, Mining museum and recreation area in Sala, Sweden

Sala Silver Mine descends 318 meters underground and spreads through a network of passages and chambers that stretch for about 700 meters in total length. Today, different sections serve as exhibition spaces and event venues within the rock.

Mining began in the early or mid-1400s, and a privilege letter was issued in 1512. Gustav Vasa centralized smelting and raised the crown's share of silver to a third by 1542. The town of Sala was founded by Gustavus Adolphus in 1624. The mine had three heydays: the early 1500s, the mid-1600s and the late 1800s. Operations ceased in 1908.

The mine's large emptied chambers host concerts and other entertainment, and one room can be booked as an underground bedroom. In July the Mine's Days are held, and in December Christmas markets run every weekend until Christmas. Above ground, old buildings now house an art gallery and a police museum.

Guided tours lead down into the mine's chambers and passages; the site is owned by Sala municipality and run as a mining museum since 1988. Above ground, the old mine buildings now hold souvenir shops, an art gallery and a police museum. Cracks and erosion around the old mine make some restricted areas unsafe, so stay on marked routes. In July the Mine's days are held, and Christmas markets run every weekend in December until Christmas.

The mine's underground chambers host concerts and other events, and one large room can be booked as a bedroom for an overnight stay. In March 2008 Crown Princess Victoria visited and signed her name underground, as her father Carl XVI Gustaf had done before her.