Gammelstad UNESCO World Heritage Site

Luleå has the old inner city up the river called Gammelstad (old town) that has been named a World Heritage site by Unesco. It is one of only a few remaining church towns. It was built in the 15th century with 400 small homes surrounding the church. The tiny homes, usually one room with bunks, a fireplace and table were built to be used for the family to have a place to stay when coming to church or a festival. Because this area of Sweden is remote and the population was scattered, it was necessary to travel long distances to go the church and town. The small privately owned house was their lodging away from home. Today many have been handed down generation to generation and are still family owned. They cannot be a permanent residence as they have no running water or toilets but instead communal ones that have been added. They cannot be changed as they are required to be kept in their original state.