Page 211 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

GO THENBURG  209

dazzling flowers in late spring
each year.
The Rock Garden, in a former
quarry, contains 5,000 alpine
plants from around the world.
In early summer the Japanese
Glade with its scented
magnolias is a delight while
autumn sees an oriental riot
of colour.
Large greenhouses shelter
the plants from the sometimes
bitter climate. The controlled
environments within recreate a
variety of conditions from
desert to steaming rain forest. Eriksbergs shipyard with Sjömanstornet and Älvsborgsbron bridge
In the tropical house, bamboo
and banana plants stretch apart from ferry traffic, the major spectacular East Indiaman
more than 10 m (33 ft) up to shipping activities have moved Götheborg (see p202), which is
the ceiling and there are 1,500 down to the mouth of the river. often out on voyages all around
orchids in the most amazing Yet, although there is little the world. Tours also operate
colours and shapes. loading and unloading to be around the island of Hisingen
seen in the centre of the city and the outer harbour, and
these days, three times more to the Gothenburg archipelago.
goods are shipped today than The Fishing Harbour holds
in the 1960s. an auction Tuesdays to Fridays
The inner harbour and at 6:30am.
shipyard area bordered by the
imposing Älvsborgsbron bridge
have been transformed to f Nya Älvsborgs
provide housing, offices and Fästning
centres for research and
Botaniska Trädgården, a blossoming oasis educa tion. Nevertheless, the 8 km (3 miles) W of the centre. Tel 031-
in the city pulse of seafaring can still be 15 81 51. 4 from Lilla Bommen.
Open Jul–mid-Aug. 8 - 0
experienced either on a regular
d The Harbour ferry from Lilla Bommen to In 1660 a new fortress on
Eriksbergsvarvet shipyard, or Kyrkogårdsholmen, at the
N of the centre between Götaälvbron on the white, flat-bottomed mouth of the Göta Älv river,
and Älvsborgsbron bridges. Tel 031- Paddan Boats which run from replaced the dilapidated,
60 96 60. @ to Lilla Bommen.
4 from Lilla Bommen or Paddan Kungsport splatsen bridge centrally located Älvsborg castle
sightseeing boat from Kungsports- (about a 10-minute walk away) to defend Sweden’s precious
platsen bridge, up to 3 times an hour. via 17th-century Vallgraven gateway to the North Sea.
∑ stromma.se/en/Gothenburg down the river to the inner It was besieged by the Danes
harbour. The round trip takes in 1717 and 1719, but never
Seafaring has been of immense about 50 minutes. captured. In the late 18th
importance to Gothenburg and GöteborgsOperan is best century it became a prison
the harbour and shipyard have viewed from the water (see p200), which closed in 1869.
long dominated the area along as are Barken Viking (see p200) Today the fortress is a
the Göta Älv river. Now the and Maritiman (see p201). popular tourist destination
shipbuilding industry is a Eriksbergs shipyard on Hisingen in summer; it even has a
shadow of its former self and is the home port of the wedding chapel.
Gothenburg’s Inner Harbour
Key Barken Götaälv-
Frihamnen Viking bron
Ferry and tour-boat boarding GöteborgsOperan
Paddan sightseeing route 159
Fiskhamnen Eriksbergs- Goteborgs
Maritima
varvet
G ö t a Ä l v 45 Sjöfartsmuseet Centrum
0 metres 1000
Älvsborgsbron
0 yards 1000
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p287 and pp298–9

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