Mora Travel Guide

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The old Burlington Northern Railroad Depot in downtown Mora is now used as the headquarters for the annual Vasaloppet Race. It is an attractive Swedish style building. located across the street from the Mora Klocka.

In addition to those who follow the Vasaloppet Race, the old depot is also of interest to railroad buffs as well as those who enjoy seeing interesting architectural styles.

In front of the Vasaloppet Headquarters is a small but colorful Dala Horse, and also an unidentified bronze statue of what I appears to be a young Swedish girl.

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The stately Kanabec County Courthouse was constructed in 1894, to replace an earlier wooden structure which was destroyed by fire. This beautiful old structure on North Vine Street in downtown Mora, was remodeled in 1999. Care was taken to maintain and compliment the Romanesque Revival design of this historic landmark.

The courthouse is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, but you may view the interesting architecture from the outside at any time.

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The twenty-five foot Dala Horse pictured here stands at the entrance to the Kanabec County Fairgrounds on Union Street, just off Hwy. 65 on the South side of Mora. It was constructed in the early 1970s as a project of the Mora Jaycees. The stated intent for building the Dala Horse was to provide the City of Mora with landmark to the city's Swedish heritage and also to serve as an attraction for tourists.

There is also a much smaller Dala Horse in downtown Mora in front of the old Railroad Depot.

Also at the fairgrounds are the Mora Civic Center, Mora Aquatic Center and the Lion's Park/Kid's Kingdom. The Kanabec County Fair is held for five days in July, but other special events are held at the fairgrounds throughout the year.

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The brightly colored Mora Klocka stands 20-feet high in the center of downtown Mora as a symbol of the town's Swedish heritage and the relationship between the sister cities of Mora, Minnesota and Mora, Sweden. It has a 48-inch clock face and decorative painting, a design called Dala malning.

The first Swedish Mora clock appeared in Stockholm during the Rococo Period in the mid-eighteenth century. The "Mora Klocka" in Minnesota was placed by the Dala Heritage Society.

Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of skiers from around the world come to Mora, Minnesota to take part in the annual Vasaloppet event.

This race commemorates a journey undertaken by two messengers who were trying to catch up with Gustav Vasa, who was trying to raise an army in Sweden to overthrow the Danes in 1522. The race in Mora, MN has been an annual event since 1972. The ability to finish in Mora is also possible due to the cooperation of over 100 landowners who give permission for the race courses to cross their land.

There are four races for the adults: the 58Km Freestyle, the 42Km Classic, the 35Km Freestyle and the 13Km freestyle. The children can participate in the Miniloppet. In years that there is not enough snow (which has been a lot recently due to warm winters) people are invited to walk the trails.