The narrative spans several generations in the 19th century and focuses on several families in Dalarna, Sweden, and a community of Swedish emigrants in Jerusalem.

As part of her research Lagerlöf went to visit Horatio and Anna Spafford at the American Colony, Jerusalem.

[2] Gustaf Molander picked up where Sjöström left and released his adaptation of the first book, Ingmarsarvet, in 1925, followed by the second, Till Österland, in 1926.

[3][4] The Danish filmmaker Bille August directed a 1996 film version with the title Jerusalem.

[5] A stage adaptation, Ingmarsspelen, has become an annual tradition in Nås, Dalarna, where it has been performed outdoors every year since 1959.