Jonkoping Tourist Attractions
|
|
The Swedish town of Jönköping in northwestern Småland, picturesquely situated at the southern tip of Lake Vättern, was granted its municipal charter by Magnus Ladulås in 1284. After being several times destroyed by fire it was largely rebuilt from 1835 onwards. It is now a center of agriculture and forestry, enlarged by the incorporation of the neighboring communes of Huskvarna and Gränna. It is the chief town of Jönköping county.A sandy beach runs through the town of Jönköping, which adds to its beauty. The town is also home to Elmia, a major fair and exhibition center. Elmia hosts major events for subcontractors, as well as the truck, caravan and railway industry.
Town
In the original heart of Jönköping, between Lake Vättern and the little lakes of Munksjö and Rocksjö, a number of older buildings have been preserved. In Hovrättstorget are the Provincial Court (Göta Hovrätt; 1639-55) and the former Town Hall, built in the late 17th century. To the northwest stands the Kristina Church (17th/18th C.), to the southeast the County Museum (Länsmuseet), with a collection which includes Småland pottery and ironware and native art.
Match Museum
To the west of the Jönköping station is the old Match Factory (Tändstickfabriken), founded in 1844 by J. E. Lundström, which began to produce safety matches in 1852 and soon gained an international reputation. It is now occupied by the Match Museum (Tändstickmuseet), with a collection of matchbox labels, designed both for the domestic market and for the various countries to which the matches were exported.
Municipal Park
West of Jönköping's Municipal Museum is the Municipal Park, in which is an Ornithological Museum (some 700 species of birds; collection of eggs). Also in the park is an open-air museum, with old wooden houses from Småland (15th-18th C.). At the west end of the park are a church from Bäckaby and a belfry from Solberga (18th C.).
Huskvarna, Sweden
From Jönköping, E 4 runs north up the west side of Lake Vättern to the little town of Huskvarna, one of the attractions of which is Dr Skoda's Waxworks. The road then continues to Gränna.The Huskvarna company began manufacturing rifles in 1680 until 1757. It switched to a variety of products and is known worldwide for a variety of products today including sewing machines.
Jönköping County Museum
Several permanent exhibitions can be viewed. They feature artifacts from the last 10,000 years, the work of John Bauer, memories of Jönköping during the 17th century and Swedish art.
Surroundings
Habo Church
15km/9milnorthwest of Jönköping is Habo church, a large red-painted wooden building of the late 16th century, with vividly colored wall paintings on Biblical themes in rustic Baroque style.
Taberg
14km/8.5mi south of Jönköping is the Taberg (343m/1,125ft), a hill of iron ore (no longer worked). This area is now a nature reserve. From the top of the hill there is a view extending in clear weather for 80km/50mi.
Eksjo
Road 33 runs southeast from Jönköping by way of the railroad junction of Nässjö to the town of Eksjö (pop. 18,000), which received its municipal charter about 1400. There are a number of well-preserved old wooden houses in the town that survived the fire of 1856. Some of the buildings in Eksjö date back to 1568. The Municipal Museum displays the picture collection of the artist Albert Engström (1869-1940), who lived in Eksjö. The countryside round the town is very attractive. To the northeast are the Skurugata, a deep gorge, and Skuruhatt (337m/1,106ft), the highest hill in Småland.
Varnamo
From Jönköping, E 4 runs south to Värnamo (pop. 31,000), on the banks of the Lagå, the chief town in southern Småland. Although known in 1236 as a meeting place of the ting (assembly) and in 1620 as a trading post, the town failed to develop, and in 1859 it still had no more than 300 inhabitants. Since then the growth of industry and the incorporation of neighboring communes has brought its population to over 30,000. Some 60% of the population are engaged in industry and craft trades, with furniture manufacture playing a leading role. The Swed-Expo trade fair is held here annually. In the center of the town is Apladalen, a nature park with a local museum.The town works hard to preserve traditions as well as move towards modern day business and growth. Visitors will enjoy strolling through the town centre and visiting the shops and cafes.
Old-Time Railway
An old-time steam train runs on Sundays in summer on a 15km/9mi-long line between Bor and Osbruk, to the east of Värnamo.
Värnamo - Nydala Abbey
In a nature reserve 25km/15mi northeast of Värnamo is Nydala Abbey (12th C.), of which only a chapel now remains. Part of the abbey church is incorporated in a modern church.
