In the previous blogs I saw many beautiful impressive buildings. But how did it start. What is man’s first enclosure? Essential, of course, is where on earth we live. During our holiday trip in Sweden last year we came to a small town Fatmomakke. It is located in the municipal Vilhelmina and has been inhabited for centuries by the Saami’s, an itinerant people with reindeer herds. This church village, still in its original standing position, made a big impression on me. 

Here, in the 18th century, the people named Saami, came together for weddings, church going, baptisms and funerals. Everyone in this church community was obliged to visit the church several times a year. Due to the large distance, an overnight stay was necessary. So houses and huts were built. In Sweden, about 70 church villages were created in this way. The building material came largely from the birch forest. The fire place was the heart and soul of the hut. For warmth, for coffee and to make food. 16 of these villages are still intact today. For the most part, they are now the property of private individuals. I found the simplicity and shabby appearance impressive.

 In this house lived the pastor, the superintendent and an administrator of the village. They enjoyed a little more luxury. The present time is very different. What a big difference with now! But these are also houses, of a different order of magnitude. Nice, that we live nowadays and can sit nice and warm by the stove. It’s nice that we don’t have to worry about the food and are free to think and act.