When I first visited Stripa, around 1996 or so, it became a love at first sight. Arriving back with a camera almost ten years later gave me the first insight in what time does to abandoned buildings. Although a part of the beauty is due to the patina itself, it quickly becomes apparent that this state is just a short one before the structural failure causes the building to collapse.

In 2006, the Stripa mine was declared a “building memorial”, which to me, to be slightly ironic means that some government money is to be handled out to a few bureaucrats that then will sit still for a few years and consume the scarce resources that are so desperately needed to stop the immediate decay.

But – in this case it actually seems like there is some real bang for the bucks. Slowly but steadily, a careful renovation has created some miracles. Given that the cash at hand covers the most urgent needs, there is a future for Stripa and its true uniqueness as a well-preserved complete mine and environment from this golden era of Swedish mining during that time era.

I must admit there is some mixed feelings though - a part of the beauty of this site was its "weathered appearance". After renovation and repainting, this particular sensation will inevitably get lost. On the other hand, the realist part of myself very much appreciate this effort as it will preserve this unique site for future generations. Left as it was, it would be a matter of time before it would been lost forever.