Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA  195

GOTHENBURG

The people of Gothenburg have nicknamed their city “the face
of Sweden”. This maritime metropolis has for centuries been
one of Sweden’s gateways to the outside world. Historically, the
Göta Älv river was the country’s only outlet to the west, as can
be seen by the remains of fortresses and earthworks that once
protected it. Gothenburg is still Sweden’s most important port
and holds fast to its maritime past.
With its great harbour and seafaring incarnation was as a fortified town created
traditions, it is perhaps only natural that by the architect and field marshal Erik
Sweden’s second largest city is also its Dahlbergh. The 18th century saw Gothen-
most outward looking. Visitors are always burg become even more cosmo politan
welcome and it is not for nothing that thanks to German, English and Scottish
the entertainment on offer and the immigration. With the advent of steam
atmosphere have led to Gothenburg power, the shipping industry flourished in
being called “Little London”. the mid-19th century, and the city
Today’s Gothenburg (Göteborg in became a prominent shipbuilding centre.
Swedish) was preceded by four earlier The shipyards have mostly gone, but
towns along the Göta Älv river. These were Gothenburg is still a major industrial city
pawns in a period of constant conflict and home of the car manufacturer Volvo.
between Sweden and Denmark. The first This vibrant little metropolis of 540,000
town was built by Dutch settlers on the people (famous for their particular sense
island of Hisingen in the early 17th century. of humour) is ideal for sightseeing, and
It was hardly established before Gustav II is peppered with green spaces, such
Adolf decided in 1619 that it should be as the Botanical Gardens, the Garden
moved to the area where the suburbs of Society of Gothenburg and the
Vallgraven and Nordstaden now stand. amusement park, Liseberg. It is a good
The inhabitants still came from Holland and starting point for excursions to the west
the grid of canals is reminiscent of coast islands with their pretty fishing
Amsterdam. Gothenburg’s 17th-century villages and smooth rocks for bathing.

Gothenburg’s Botanical Gardens, a green oasis not far from the centre of the city
Ships docked at the harbour in Gothenburg, Sweden’s most important port

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