Karlstad Attractions
Post code: S-65...
Telephone code: 054
Karlstad, the cultural and commercial center of Värmland, chief town of the county and the see of a bishop, lies in the delta of the Klarälv, at the point where the river flows into Lake Vänern after a course of 500km/310mi. Boating in the archipelago or canoeing on Klarälven are popular activities along with fishing and watersports.
The town is named after Charles IX, who in 1584 granted a municipal charter to the settlement on the island of Tingvalla which had existed since the early medieval period as a trading station and place of assembly (the meeting place of the ting). In 1905 negotiations took place here on the dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway. Karlstad is now a considerable industrial town (mainly woodworking).
Telephone code: 054
Karlstad, the cultural and commercial center of Värmland, chief town of the county and the see of a bishop, lies in the delta of the Klarälv, at the point where the river flows into Lake Vänern after a course of 500km/310mi. Boating in the archipelago or canoeing on Klarälven are popular activities along with fishing and watersports.
The town is named after Charles IX, who in 1584 granted a municipal charter to the settlement on the island of Tingvalla which had existed since the early medieval period as a trading station and place of assembly (the meeting place of the ting). In 1905 negotiations took place here on the dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway. Karlstad is now a considerable industrial town (mainly woodworking).
Alster, Sweden
(Near Karlstad)
At Alster, 6km/4mi north of Karlstad, is the manor house of Alster Herrgård, in which the lyric poet Gustav Fröding (1860-1911) lived as a child. Permanent exhibits chronicle his life and work while temporary exhibitions highlight the culture of Varmland. In a grove on the estate can be found the Fröding Stone (Frödingsstenen).
Marienbergsskogen
On the southwest side of Karlstad is Marienbergsskogen, a wooded area within which are a zoo, an open-air museum, a theater and an amusement park.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 |
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Residenstorget
To the west of Stora Torget in Karlstad is Residenstorget, with the Governor's Residence. In front of it can be seen a bronze statue of King Charles IX (1926). To the southwest is the Town House (1963).
Skoghall, Sweden
(Near Karlstad)
8km/5mi southwest of Karlstad, on a peninsula in Lake Vänern, is the little town of Skoghall, with sawmills and cellulose plants. The paper mill is the largest employer in Skoghall. 5km/3mi east of the town the old wooden church of Hammarö has a medieval reredos and wall paintings.
Stora Torget
In the market square of Karlstad, Stora Torget, stands a Peace Monument by Ivar Johnsson commemorating the dissolution of the union of Sweden and Norway. On the west side of the square is the Town Hall (1869). To the east, in Kungsgatan, is the Old Grammar School, in its day one of the handsomest school buildings in Sweden, which now houses a School Museum.
Värmland Museum
In the north of Karlstad extends the Sandgrund Park, with the Värmland Museum (art and history; textile collection; exhibitions on topical subjects). To the northeast is the 12-arche Östra Bro (East Bridge) spanning the Klarälv, the longest stone bridge in Sweden (1761-70).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 21:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
