17km/10mi north of Väversunda is Vadstena (pop. 7,500), a town noted for its lace, which owes its origin to St Birgitta. Birgitta was principal lady-in-waiting at the court of King Magnus Eriksson and Queen Blanka, but withdrew from the court after receiving a divine revelation and in 1346 was granted the property of Kungsgården for the
foundation of an abbey, which was completed only six years after her death, in 1379. She was canonized in 1394. One of Sweden's best-preserved castles is located in Vadstena. It was completed in the 16th century and houses the provincial archives as well as a museum.
Thereafter the little settlement of Vadstena rose to importance as a place of pilgrimage and market town, and was granted a municipal charter in 1400. After the Reformation Vadstena declined, but it has recently recovered some importance with the growth of the tourist trade.
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