Page 152 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

150  SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA

4 Göta Canal

Opened in 1832, the Göta Canal provided a vital link for
transporting timber and iron between Stockholm and
Gothenburg. But it was another 100 years before leisure
traffic took off on the waterway. Today in summer, the
canal bustles with small craft and passenger boats and
it is possible to cruise the entire length on the classic
M/S Diana (1931), Wilhelm Tham (1912) and Juno (1874).
Other boats take passengers along shorter stretches and
there are numerous special packages available, such as Building the Canal
combining cycling holidays with canal trips. There are Karl XIV Johan inspects construction
near Berg in Östergötland with
guest marinas offering services along the entire length Crown Prince Oscar. Baltzar von
of the canal. Motala is regarded as the “capital” of the Platen is standing bare-headed to
canal, and the man behind its construction, Baltzar the left of the king.
von Platen (1766–1829), is buried here.
Örebro
Örebro
Karlskoga

Viken
Mariestad
Boren
Roxen
VÄTTERN Motala

50
Lock-keeper
Several of the lock gates along Key
the stretch of canal which lies Motorway
in Västergötland are still
worked by hand by friendly Other road
and patient lock-keepers. Canal

KEY
1 Karlsborgs Fästning (see p225),
towers above the canal.
2 Sjötorp on Lake Vänern
marks the end point of the canal
in Västergötland.
Borensberg
3 The lake of Roxen is home to The long-established
some 260 species of birds, including Göta Hotell is an idyllic
wetland species, as well as some summer spot on the
rarer varieties. canal. Built in 1894,
4 Mem is the first lock in the canal it offers food and
system on the journey west. accommodation to
passers-by.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp285–6 and pp296–7

150-151_EW_Sweden.indd 150 11/07/16 11:43 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm