Page 228 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

226  SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA

rentals, an outdoor swimming
pool and a small fishing lake.
In winter there is a ski slope
and cross-country ski trails.
West of Skövde, on road
49, is the 12th-century
church Våmbs Kyrka. The
church was restored to its
original appearance in the
1940s. On the same road,
slightly nearer to Skövde, is
Hjo’s wooden buildings, awarded the Europa Nostra medal in 1990 Varnhems Klosterkyrka, a
13th-century three-aisle basilica.
h Hjo j Skövde
E Helénsstugan
Västergötland. Road 193/194. Västergötland. Road 48/49. * 33,000
* 6,000. @ to Skövde then bus. £ @ n Sandtorget, 0500-44 66 88. Helénsparken, Skövde Stadsmuseum.
 n Floragatan 1, 0503-352 55. _ Food Festival (last weekend in Tel 0500-49 80 69. Open summer. &
8 by arrangement.
_ Craft Fair (2nd weekend in Jul), Aug), Skövde Film Festival (Nov).
Round Vättern cycle race (3rd ∑ skovde.se E Kulturhuset
weekend in Jun). ∑ hjo.se Trädgårdsgatan. Tel 0500-44 66 88
Skövde is situated between the (tourist office). & - 0
Mention Hjo and Swedes two largest lakes in Sweden:
immediately think of the Vänern and Vättern. According
exquisite little wooden houses to local folklore, it became a k Skara
dating from the end of the trading centre in the 12th cen- Västergötland. E20. * 11,000. @
19th century with their ornately tury, when pilgrims came here n Biblioteksgatan 3, 0511-325 80.
carved verandas. Hjo is a delight- to honour Sweden’s first female _ Naturum Crane Dance (end Mar–
ful town to visit. On the shore of saint – St Elin, or Helena. Skövde Apr). ∑ skara.se/turism
Lake Vättern is Stadsparken, a has been destroyed by fire on
park created when Hjo Spa was several occasions; the last time Traditionally an important seat of
founded in the late 19th was in 1759. The only building learning and a bishopric, Skara is
century. Villa Svea, one of the that survived was a single 17th- one of Sweden’s oldest towns.
former spa buildings in the park, century house, Helénsstugan, The 11th-century cathedral lies
houses Hjo Stadsmuseum (the which today is part of Skövde at its heart, surrounded by a
Town Museum). It is worth a Stadsmuseum (Town Museum). network of streets following a
look for its remarkable calendar The museum also holds pattern set out in the Middle
clock Hjouret, and recreated exhibitions in the main Ages. On Stora Torget stands
rooms from the heyday of the museum building in Norrmalm. Krönikebrunnen, a well which
spa. The park also contains Kulturhuset, designed by on its exterior chronicles
Fjärilsmuseum (the Butterfly Hans-Erland Heineman in important events in the history
Museum) and Vätternak varium, 1964, houses the
an aquarium. library, an art gallery,
Just like the town, the harbour a cinema and a theatre
has medieval origins, but that often hosts shows
the present one was built in the featuring popular
mid-19th century after the Swedish musicians
construction of the Göta Canal. and comedians.
In summer, the Lok-Hjo-Motivet The town has
train takes guided tours (daily a bustling city
except Monday) through the centre with many
town starting from the harbour. independent shops
The steamer S/S Trafik (1892) and several large malls.
runs Sunday tours to Visingö,
and jazz cruises to Vadstena Environs
across the lake. Rising to the west of
The Hjoån river valley, Skövde is the 300-m
stretching from Lake Vättern (984-ft) high Billingen
to Mullsjön lake 4 km (2.5 miles) plateau, with views
west of Hjo has several stretching as far as Lake
spectacular waterfalls. Vättern. The area is a
popular recreation spot,
E Hjo Stadsmuseum with everything from
Villa Svea, Stadsparken. Tel 0503-352 hiking and mountain- The nave of Skara’s Gothic cathedral, founded in the
55. Open May–Aug. 7 partly. bike trails to canoe 12th century
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp287–8 and p299

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm