Linkoping Attractions
Post code: S-58...
Telephone code: 013
Linköping, chief town of the province of Östergötland, the see of a bishop and a university town, lies on the west bank of the Stångå, which flows into Lake Roxen just to the north of the town, on the road from Stockholm to Göteborg. Linköping is noted for its Cathedral with a tower, added in the 19th century, that stands out in the city's skyline. The oldest portion of the Cathedral dates back to the 12th century.
The name of the town first appears in the records in 1120 in connection with the foundation of Vreta Abbey. At a church council held in Linköping in 1152 it was decided that Sweden should become a province of the Church of Rome. Here in 1598, on the banks of the Stångå, Duke Charles of Södermanland (later King Charles IX), a supporter of the Reformation, defeated the Roman Catholic King Sigismund of Poland. Sigismund's followers were executed in the market square of Linköping in 1600, in what became known as the "Linköping massacre".
Telephone code: 013
Linköping, chief town of the province of Östergötland, the see of a bishop and a university town, lies on the west bank of the Stångå, which flows into Lake Roxen just to the north of the town, on the road from Stockholm to Göteborg. Linköping is noted for its Cathedral with a tower, added in the 19th century, that stands out in the city's skyline. The oldest portion of the Cathedral dates back to the 12th century.
The name of the town first appears in the records in 1120 in connection with the foundation of Vreta Abbey. At a church council held in Linköping in 1152 it was decided that Sweden should become a province of the Church of Rome. Here in 1598, on the banks of the Stångå, Duke Charles of Södermanland (later King Charles IX), a supporter of the Reformation, defeated the Roman Catholic King Sigismund of Poland. Sigismund's followers were executed in the market square of Linköping in 1600, in what became known as the "Linköping massacre".
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Linköping Cathedral
The Linköping Cathedral is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, with origins that date back to the mid 12th C.
Kaga Church
7km/4.5mi northwest of Linköping, the Kaga church was built by King Sverker (d. 1156) on the old pagan cult site of Allguvi (the "shrine of all the gods"). The church is richly decorated with paintings; those in the nave are by Master Amund, those in the choir by his teacher the Master of Risinge.
Kinda Canal
An attractive excursion from Linköping is a trip on the Kinda Canal, which links Lake Roxen with a number of other lakes to the south, through which the Stångå flows. 80km/50mi in length, the canal has a total of 15 locks. The boat passes a number of old manor houses (including the handsome Sturefors manor house of 1704 on Lake Erlang), and the trip ends at Horn, at the south end of Lake Åsund.
Linköping Castle
Southwest of the Cathedral, in the King's Garden (Kungsträdgården), is Linköping Castle, originally a stronghold of the bishop's. It is now, much altered and restored, the Governor's Residence.
St Lars' Church
To the east of Linköping's Stora Torget is St Lars' Church (1802), with a 12th century tower. It contains a number of pictures by Pehr Hörberg (1746-1816), one of the leading Swedish painters of his time, noted for his fine use of color and naive Romantic manner.
Stora Torget
The main square of Linköping is Stora Torget, with the Folkung Fountain (Folkungabrunn, 1927), one of Carl Milles's best-known works. It depicts Folke Filbyter, the legendary ancestor of the royal dynasty of the Folkungs, riding out in search of his grandson.
Stångebro Monument
Linköping is bounded on the east by the Stångå, on the banks of which stands the Stångebro Monument, commemorating the battle in 1598. The bridge itself, linking the two halves of the town, was built in 1655.
Vreta Abbey
11km/7mi northwest of Linköping, on the road to Motala, stands Vreta Abbey, a 13th century church (restored 1920) which belonged to a house of Cistercian nuns. On the north side of the church, which contains numerous monuments, are the foundations of the conventual buildings and the cloister.
Passengers cruising from Stockholm to Göteborg have time for a visit to Vreta Abbey (about 20 minutes), southeast of the canal, while the boat is passing through the locks.
Passengers cruising from Stockholm to Göteborg have time for a visit to Vreta Abbey (about 20 minutes), southeast of the canal, while the boat is passing through the locks.
Vårdsberg
8km/5mi east of Linköping is the round church of Vårdsberg (12th C.; restored 1940), with fine paintings in the vaulting (16th C.). 6km/4mi east is Askeby church, with the remains of a 12th century nunnery.
