Page 156 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

154  SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA

population of 800. In the
12th and 13th centuries the
island was the seat of Sweden’s
first kings, including Magnus
Ladulås. Per Brahe built the
castle, Visingsborgs Slott,
now a ruin, and a church on
the island in the 17th century.
The boat trip from Gränna
takes about 25 minutes and
View over Lake Vättern from Hjässan, the highest point of Omberg the service is frequent in the
summer months.
7 Omberg Count Per Brahe, who founded
the town and whose plan is still E Grenna Museum
Östergötland. 20 km (12 miles) Brahegatan 38–40. Tel 0390-410 15.
S of Vadstena. @ evident today. On the square in
∑ visitostergotland.info the centre of town, Grenna Open daily. Closed 1 Jan, 24, 25, 31
Museum has fascinating tales Dec. & 8 = 7
Rising mountain-like from the to tell of the tragic expedition
wide Östgöta plains is Omberg. to the North Pole headed
Its highest point is 175 m by the town’s famous son 9 Jönköping
(574 ft) above Lake Vättern. Salomon August Andrée in Småland. E4. * 132,000. £ @ k
It is the legendary home of the hot-air balloon Örnen. n Södra Strandgatan 13, 0771-21 13
Queen Omma, whose name Inspired by Andrée, Gränna has 00. _ Jönköping Market (dates vary,
means “steam” and indeed become a centre for balloon but usually between May and Jul).
the fog that often flights. The town is also ∑ jonkoping.se
surrounds the hill gives known for its polkagris
it a mythical quality. Orchid (peppermint rock), an ideal King Magnus Ladulås granted
marshes, beech woodlands souvenir. The red and white Jönköping its charter in 1284,
and ancient forest flourish sweet originated in 1859 by which time the town was
on the limestone-rich rock. when widow Amalia already an important trading
Walking trails cross the area. Eriksson started a rock centre. For a long time Småland
To the south lies author factory in the town. formed Sweden’s southern
Ellen Key’s home, Strand, Along the beautiful border with Denmark, but
and the nature reserves stretch of the E4 beside when the Danes invaded in
of Bokskogen and Stora Polka gris Lake Vättern, just north of 1612 the people set fire to their
Lund. On the plains Gränna, lies the ruined town and fled to Visingsö.
southeast of Omberg is Brahehus castle, built for Count In the 19th century Jönköping
the ruin of Alvastra Kloster Per Brahe in the 1640s. On a became synonymous with
where St Bridget (see p149) clear day Brahehus offers matchstick production; the
once stayed. magnificent views over Vättern Lundström brothers opened
To the east, Omberg slopes towards Västergötland on the their first factory here in the
down to Lake Tåkern, barely other side of the lake and 1840s. In the old part of town,
1 m (3 ft) deep and favoured Visingsö. This flat island can be Tändsticksmuseet (the Match
by flocks of geese and cranes reached by boat from Gränna. Museum) is set in a former
in spring and autumn. The It is the largest island in Lake match factory (1848). The
Rökstenen at Röks Kyrka is a Vättern, 14 km (9 miles) long historic Västra Storgatan 37
large 9th-century runestone. and 3 km (2 miles) wide with a houses Viktor Rydbergs
P Strand
10 km (6 miles) N of Ödeshög.
Tel 0144-330 30. Open mid-May–
Aug: Tue–Sun; early May & Sep: Sat
& Sun. 8

8 Gränna
Småland. E4. * 2,600. @
n Brahegatan 38, 0771-21 13 00.
_ Andrée Festival (2nd week in Jul),
County Festival (3rd week in Jul).
∑ jkpg.com
Gränna was at its height in the
17th century in the days of The ruins of Brahehus Castle on Lake Vättern looking towards Visingsö
Passenger boat on the Göta Canal at Borensberg

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