Vasteras Attractions
Post code: S-72...
Telephone code: 021
Västerås, chief town of the county and province of Västmanland, lies in an inlet on Lake Mälar, at the mouth of the Svartå. The town takes its name from its original site on the west side of the river mouth, Västra Aros (aros = river mouth"), which in course of time became Västerås. The local park and turbine house are a few of the notable attractions. To attract tourists the town is promoting its location by the lake.
In the medieval period the town was the see of a bishop. Eleven meetings of the Swedish Diet were held here, the most important being the Diet of Västerås in 1527, during the reign of Gustavus Vasa, at which it was decided to adopt the Reformed faith.
The town grew rapidly during the 20th century with the development of industry. In 1900 it had barely 12,000 inhabitants - a figure which since then has multiplied almost tenfold. Among the town's principal industries is the manufacture of electrical appliances (ASEA Brown Boveri, ABB). Västerås is also an important inland port, used by many pleasure craft.
Telephone code: 021
Västerås, chief town of the county and province of Västmanland, lies in an inlet on Lake Mälar, at the mouth of the Svartå. The town takes its name from its original site on the west side of the river mouth, Västra Aros (aros = river mouth"), which in course of time became Västerås. The local park and turbine house are a few of the notable attractions. To attract tourists the town is promoting its location by the lake.
In the medieval period the town was the see of a bishop. Eleven meetings of the Swedish Diet were held here, the most important being the Diet of Västerås in 1527, during the reign of Gustavus Vasa, at which it was decided to adopt the Reformed faith.
The town grew rapidly during the 20th century with the development of industry. In 1900 it had barely 12,000 inhabitants - a figure which since then has multiplied almost tenfold. Among the town's principal industries is the manufacture of electrical appliances (ASEA Brown Boveri, ABB). Västerås is also an important inland port, used by many pleasure craft.
Anundshög
6km/4mi northeast of Västerås is the Anundshög, on which there is a Viking cemetery (burial mounds, stone-settings).
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Västerås Cathedral
Built on the foundations of an earlier Romanesque church, this Gothic Cathedral was built in the 13th C.
Angelsberg, Sweden
(Near Vasteras)
Road 66 runs north from Västerås, passing the Strömsholm Canal, constructed in the 18th century for the transport of ore and iron to the ports on Lake Mälar. On the northeastern shore of Lake Åmänningen, in a beautiful setting, is the little town of Ångelsberg, noted for its handsome turn-of-the-century houses. Some 15km/9mi west is the "steel town" of Fagersta (pop. 14,000), with mines which have been worked since the 14th century.
Elba
2km/1.25mi west of Västerås, in Lake Mälar, lies the little island of Elba, with a summer restaurant. There are regular boat services from Västerås harbor to Elba and also to the island of Östra Holmen (good swimming).
Facilities
Beach
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Koping, Sweden
(Near Vasteras)
40km/25mi southwest of Västerås is Köping, a trading town since the 15th century. Here in the 18th century Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a native of Stralsund, worked as a pharmacist. One of the founders of modern chemistry, he discovered the elements oxygen and nitrogen. The Köping Museum has an interesting pharmacy section commemorating Scheele.
The Köping Church, completed in 1300, still stands today. The busy harbor and numerous companies have made it an established industrial city.
The Köping Church, completed in 1300, still stands today. The busy harbor and numerous companies have made it an established industrial city.
Kyrkbacken
To the north of the Våsterås Cathedral lies Kyrkbacken, the oldest part of the town, which has preserved its original character, with old workers' houses. To the west is Djäkneberg Park, with a monument commemorating famous Swedes.
Stora Torg
The central feature of Västerås is the Stora Torg, to the south and east of which are Stora Gatan and Vasagatan (both pedestrian zones). Round the central area there is a ring road (Ringvägen).
Tidö Castle
15km/9mi south-west of Västerås, on the shores of Lake Mälar, is Tidö Castle (17th C.; Toy Museum, etc.).
The castle is one of the best preserved castles in Sweden. It was completed in 1642 in Dutch Renaissance style.
The castle is one of the best preserved castles in Sweden. It was completed in 1642 in Dutch Renaissance style.
Hours
May 1 to June 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 4 to August 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
August 2 to August 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Town House Museum of Art
In the Fiskartorg (Fishmarket) of Våsterås is the Town House (by Sven Ahlborn, 1959), with a 65m/215ft high tower containing a carillon. In the former Town Hall (restored 1972) is the Museum of Art (art from the 17th century to the present day).
Hours
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
September 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Summer solstice - First day of summer (June 21)
Swedish National Day (June 6)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Summer solstice - First day of summer (June 21)
Swedish National Day (June 6)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Vallby Open-Air Museum
2km/1.25mi southwest of the center of Våsterås, on E 18, is Vallby open-air museum, with old wooden buildings (a pharmacy, a silversmith's workshop, a potter's workshop, etc.) in which various craftsmen ply their trades.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Free entry to the area. At some special activities there is an entrance to be paid. Guided tours can be booked Monday to Friday 8am - 10 am: (21) 398070.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Vasa Park
On the south side of Vasa Park in Våsterås is the railroad station. To the east of the park are the imposing offices of ASEA Brown Boveri (electrical appliances). Farther east along Stora Gatan is the Folkets Park (People's Park) or Arosparken, with amusements and sports facilities.
Västerås Castle
The Våsterås Castle, on the banks of the Svartå, was originally built in the 13th century. It now houses the Västermanland Provincial Museum (prehistoric remains, local history and culture) and provincial government offices.
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