visitsweden

Historical places

If you’d like to discover the Sweden of today, knowing something about its past is a good place to start. And what a past it is.

You can start by getting to know the Vikings at the many historical sites dotted around Sweden. You can discover that Sweden was a major power in Europe in the 17th century by visiting the many beautifully castles, palaces and manor houses from the period? Or that 3,000 years ago the people of Tanum, now a World Heritage site, carved depictions of their lives and customs onto rocks, perhaps so that we would discover them.

Luckily, the Sweden of yesteryear is extremely well preserved in the historical sites, museums, castles, palaces and manor houses in and around the major cities of Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö and further a field.

Worth checking out is the amazing Vasa Museum in Stockholm which is a museum built around the Vasa Ship; the world’s only surviving 17th century battleship which sunk on its maiden voyage in Stockholm. The museum building, the presentation of the ship and its artefacts have to be seen to be believed – unmissable.

The Mine Museum in Falun, central Sweden, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, an honour it shares with the town of Falun and homesteader estates. It sits on the edge of the Great Pit, the site of a giant cave-in in 1687. The museum tells the story of the mine and the company that ran it and it has received the highest ranking from the Michelin Guide. And they should know.

Kalmar Castle in eastern Sweden, sits on a headland jutting out into Kalmar Strait . It dates from the 14th century and was rebuilt in the 16th century. The castle was built around a harbour and soon became “The Key to the Kingdom” and a significant defensive fortification on the then Danish border. Nearby lies the “Ölandbron” a bridge that takes to island of Öland, as famous for its sunny micro-climate, as it is for being holiday destination for Swedes and for its unique flora and fauna. It is also famous for its amazingly well preserved pre-Viking and Viking historical sites.

All around Sweden there are fascinating historic sites. Get to know Sweden today and Sweden of the past.

Museums in Gothenburg

Gothenburg boasts a number of museums of high international standard, some well worth a visit in their own right for those with special interests.

The Gammelstad Church Village

The Gammelstad Church Village just outside the city of Luleå is included on the World Heritage List as the largest and best preserved church village in northern Sweden – a type of settlement typical of northern Scandinavia.

Old Town

The oldest part of Stockholm is Gamla Stan (the Old Town) and the tiny adjacent island, of Riddarholmen. It is a place filled with stunning views, picturesque streets and historical sites.

Malmö Opera & Music Theatre

For stage perfomances, the Malmö Opera & Music Theatre offers a most varied programme, from classical opera to musicals and children´s concerts. The opera building is a beautiful modernist classic, design by a trio of renowned architects led by master modernist Sigurd Lewerentz, and inaugurated in 1944.