We are the government agency responsible for cultural heritage and historic environment issues in Sweden. Our public archives hold about four million photographs – including copy prints, glass plates and other negatives, slides and digital copies. The photographs were taken over a period stretching from the later part of the 19th century until today.

More about our photo collections

Our photo collections include individual collections from various times – such as that of Carl Curman, mainly from the latter part of the 19th century – as well as the Board’s own recent photographic work and photographs taken over more than a century in connection with the activities of the Board (which actually was founded in the year 1630! – long before photography was invented).

The themes represented include – among others – ancient monuments, runic inscriptions, old churches, urban and rural environment, archaeology, industries and aerial photos. The images often show people, both known and unknown. Some photographs are from other countries than Sweden, some are repro photographs of other materials from our holdings, such as drawings, watercolours and prints.

Our photos in the e-archive

About 200,000 of our photographs are digitized and searchable in our e-archive online.

Visit the e-archive

Our photographs on The Commons

The Swedish National Heritage Board has become a member of The Commons on Flickr in order to increase public access to our photographs and to provide a way for the general public to contribute information and knowledge. New photographs will be added regularly. You are welcome to share, to comment, tag or just enjoy!

The photos that are part of The Commons have no known copyright restrictions (marked "no known copyright restrictions"), indicating that the Swedish National Heritage Board is unaware of any current copyright restrictions on the works displayed, either because the term of copyright may have expired, or because we believe no copyright restrictions apply.

The Swedish National Heritage Board does not warrant that the use of the photos shared on The Commons will not infringe upon the rights of third parties, as yet unknown, who may own the rights to these works. You are required to determine and satisfy copyright and other use restrictions that may apply to these works.

The photos on Flickr Commons have no known copyright restrictions and they are free to use. Still, when you use a photo from The Commons we would be grateful if you make a reference to the photographer and the Swedish National Heritage Board.

•The photographer

•The Swedish National Heritage Board

More photographs on Flickr

On our other account on Flickr we show photographs from the Swedish National Heritage Board’s events since 2011: Riksantikvarieämbetet