The town of Norrköping lies at the outflow of the Motalaström into the Bråvik, an inlet on the Baltic which extends inland for some 50km/30mi. The Bråvik forms a natural boundary between the wooded region of Kolmård to the north and the fertile arable country of Vikboland to the south. Norrköping is a busy industrial town (metalworking, textiles) and an important port.
Norrköping has its own symphonic orchestra; Church of Saint Olof, built circa 1750; a public library built in modern style; and petroglyphs from the Bronze Age.
To the west of Norrköping are the People's Park and Himmelstalund Park, in which are the old spa establishment and a theater, as well as 3,000-year-old rock carvings (including representations of ships).
In Drottninggatan, Norrköping's main street, rises the City Tower (1750), the great symbol and landmark of Norrköping, from which the fire-watchers used to call the hours.
Eriksgatan, the old main road between Götaland and Svealand, ran through the Kolmård area from the Krokek inn to Unnerberg Castle. A forerunner of our present-day inns was the Monastery of Our Lady (Vårfruklostret) in Kolmård, which provided accommodation for travelers. Stones from the ruins of the monastery were used in the construction of a chapel and later of the old church of Krokek (1747), now also in ruins.
29km/18miles northwest of Norrköping is Finspång, in an old mining area, now an industrial town, with a castle of 1668. 10km/6mi northeast of Finspång is Rejmyra, with a glassworks showroom for sale of glassware produced here.
The Gamla Torg (Old Square), where the Norrköping Town Hall and the Burghers' Guildhall once stood, is now surrounded by handsome early 19th century houses. In the square can be seen a monument (by Carl Milles) to Louis de Geer, a Dutchman who brought industry to the town in the 17th century; it faces the Holmen works founded by de Geer (tower painted in the color known as Norrköping yellow).
On the south bank of the Motalaström in Norrköping is the Tyska Torg (German Market), with St Hedvig's Church, built in the 17th century for the town's German community (altered in the 18th century), with an altarpiece by Pehr Hörberg. On the south side of the square is the Town Hall (1907-10); the carillon in the 68m/225ft high tower plays daily at noon and 5 p.m.
To the east of the Norrköping railroad station are the remains of the Johannisborg. Although nothing is left standing but the gateway and adjoining walls, there is enough to give some impression of what this 17th century castle was like in its heyday. The gate tower was restored in 1934.
To the south of the Norrköping railroad station lies the Karl Johan Park, with a fine collection of cacti. In the park is a monument (by Schwanthaler, 1846) to King Carl XIV Johan (Bernadotte). Facing the park stands the Town House. Near the station is the neo-Gothic St Matthew's Church (1892).
10km/6mi southwest of Norrköping, in an English-style park, is Lövstad Castle, now a museum with a collection of pictures. Concerts are given in the castle during the summer months.
The Norrköping Municipal Museum (Stadsmuseet), on the site of an old factory in Västergatan (beyond the Gamlebro), displays implements and machinery used in over 50 different trades (textile industry). In Kristinaplats is the Museum of Art (Konstmuseet), with departments of older and modern art (Swedish painting and sculpture). In St Persgatan is a Dyeing Museum (Färgargården).
The museum has one of Sweden's largest collections of prints - over 25,000 sheets. The collection encompasses artists of the 20th century. They are not permanently displayed but are exhibited by theme.
Address: Norrköping Museum of Art, Kristinaplats, S-60234 Norrköping, Sweden
Hours:
June 1 to August 31: 12pm-4pm; Wed:12pm-8pm; Closed: Mon
September 1 to May 31: 11am-5pm; Tue:11am-8pm; Thu:11am-8pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
From Norrköping, 5km/3mi northwest of the road to Svärtinge is the manor house of Ringstad. Near here are cemetery areas and the remains of a seventh century Viking stronghold, believed to be one mentioned in the Helgi lays of the Edda.
Östra Eneby church (12th C.), one of Norrköping's oldest churches, has medieval ceiling paintings, valuable tapestries and a beautiful font with a basin of Kolmård marble.
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Finspang, Sweden
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