Norrbottens Museum is the regional museum for Sweden's northernmost county, covering everything from Sami culture and prehistory to the industrial transformation brought by mining and the railways. The collections are substantial, and the exhibits on the indigenous Sami people are particularly strong — Norrbotten is one of Sweden's core Sami regions, and the museum does not shy away from the complexities of that history, including the forced assimilation policies of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museum also covers the extraordinary natural environment of the region: the unique ecosystems of the Arctic coastline, the river valleys, and the mountain areas to the west. Temporary exhibitions frequently address contemporary issues facing the north. The building itself sits on the edge of central Luleå, and there is an outdoor section with historic buildings from the region. Entry is free.