Streets squares and districts to visit Sweden

The Kronhuset complex and the houses around it were owned by the crown in the 17th century. It is a block of houses arranged around a large square between Postgatan and Kronhusgatan. It houses Kronhuset (the Crown House), the oldest building in Gothenburg dating from 1654 and which was a warehouse for the Swedish artillery. Today it serves as a concert hall for the city's orchestra. Around the square,you can see traditional craftsmen at work.

In the west of the city and about 15 minutes' walk from the Main Square, you will find the most authentic part of Karlskrona, and it is well worth a visit. It was first settled by craftsmen, as evidenced by some wooden houses from the first half of the 18th century. The streets running north-south are named after ships, those running east-west after famous admirals, for a maritime atmosphere. Those who speak several languages will be able to recognise the authentic Björkholmskan dialect in this area, which is rich in diphthongs.

The Great Square of the city of Malmö is presided over by the (equestrian) statue of Charles X Gustav (1622-1660), the king who, having ascended the throne after the abdication of Queen Christine, recovered Skåne in 1658 at the end of the first Northern War. Vast and rectangular (but converted into a parking lot), the square is bordered by some interesting buildings among which we will mention :

The town hall (Rådhuset) is the large brick building (on a base of ashlar) in the Dutch Renaissance style that dominates the east side. Built in 1546 (extensively remodeled in the ^19th century), it has a spectacular baroque gable in the center of its façade. Just to its right, the Apoteket Lejonet is worth a look for its interior, unchanged since the 1900s, and more specifically for its wooden furniture and beautiful earthenware jars.

At the corner of Kansligatan, Residentet is a building oscillating between baroque and neoclassical, and sporting a yellow façade. As its name suggests, this small palace was the governor's residence when it was built in the early ^17th century.

On the opposite side (Frans Sueligatan) stands one of the oldest buildings in the city, the Kock House (Kockska Huset). This stark, dark brick house with stepped gables dates from 1523 and was the former home of Mayor Jörgen Kock, who made Malmö the second largest city in the Danish kingdom. The basement now houses the city's most famous restaurant, Årstiderna.

On Lake Mälaren, 49 km from Stockholm. Take the E 4 direction Arlanda and Uppsala, then in Märsta, take Route 263 Tourist Office: Stora Gatan 33 Tel (0) 8 592 806 50 - www.sigtuna.se

Sigtuna is one of Sweden's oldest cities. It was founded around the year 980 by King Eric Segersäll and his son Olof Eriksson Stötkonung, who created the first currency in Sweden in 995. It is a very pleasant excursion, with its charming streets lined with wooden house. Some Viking archaeological remains are exposed in the pretty Sigtuna Museum, located in Stora Gatan 55 and open daily from 12 to 16 h (entrance 20 Sek, 15 Sek for students). There is the famous "Viking of Sigtuna", a Viking head of a few centimetres, remarkably sculpted in an elk horn whose origin and function remains mysterious, as well as the coins of that time. It is also in Sigtuna that the greatest concentration of unfortunately stones is found in the world. You can rent boats (canoes, boats…) at Våffelbruket café in the port (Tel 592 508 00). For a coffee, stop at the Tant Bruns, Laurentiigränd 3.

Located south of the Gavleån River, a group of traditional wooden houses painted in bright colors and narrow cobblestone streets take you back to the Gävle of two centuries ago. The strange double mirrors you will see in front of the windows are spy-glass. A curious detail, the inhabitants used them (and probably still do) to see what was going on in the street without moving from their armchair! A superb corner to take pictures.

It is divided into two parts. In Gamla Öster (east), between the new St. Peter's Church and the waterfront, are concentrated lovely wooden houses separated by cobblestone streets. The medieval white church of St. Gertrude is the first building to be constructed on the present site of Västervik. On the other side, Gamla Norr is the oldest part of the city. Next to it is the oldest red house in the city. Along the cobblestone streets are traditional houses painted in bright colors.

This street, pedestrian in its central part, crosses Karlskrona from east to west. It is surrounded by major shops, hotels and restaurants, as well as the unique cinema. In summer, we go down by eating ice cream. Sometimes, sitting on a bench, listen to groups of musicians.

At the end of Ronnebygatan, to the west, the fish wharf once housed the fish market. The statue Fiskargumman, by Erik Höglund, represents a fishmonger calling out to passers-by. The inhabitants of the archipelago continue to moor their boats here. It is the starting point of the main excursions. A tip: cross the small footbridge that leads to the island of Stakholmen. A perfect place for a picnic, with a breathtaking view of the Borgmästarefjärden at sunset.

This small fishing village is a lively marina in the summer, with restaurants and cafes along the pebble beach. In the evening, it is delicious to dine on the terrace of one of the restaurants, watching the sailboats on a sea that turns pink with the setting sun. You may also see the ferry passing in the distance towards the island of Gotland. 3 km north, along the coast, in the nature reserve of Neptuni Åkrar, the meadows are strewn with viperine, a small rare blue flower, a treat for the eyes!

Ruins of the Chapel of Saint Birgita.It is an excellent place for bird watching.

Sandvik. Fishing port and stone industry center, famous especially for its eight-story wooden windmill.

Föra.Village located 2 km east of road 136. Its church is curiously flanked by a ^12th century fortified tower.

Jordhamn. 3 km along the coast is the only stone-polishing mill in Öland.

Vi Alvar. Just before the village of Källa, on road 136, there is a burial ground with a prehistoric circular monument and sacrificial stones.

Byrums Sandvik. 8 km northwest of Högby, on the west coast, high white stone formations, similar to the raukar on the island of Gotland, and sandy and rocky beaches make this place a favorite place for swimming and walking. Ferry to the islet Blå Jungrun (literally, the blue mermaid) which is a national park in itself.

Byxelkrok. This small fishing village is a very lively marina in summer. Three kilometers north along the coast in the Neptuni Åkrar nature reserve, the meadows are littered with viperine, a small rare blue flower.

Karlevistenen.2 km from the pier, to the north, stands the oldest rune stone in Öland, dating from the ^10th century.

At the northern tip of the crab claw shapedisland, there is the beautiful lighthouse Långe Erik on the Grandkullaviken bay on one side and a walking trail, the Trollskogen, on the other.

The area of the old shipyard is part of the Karlskrona World Heritage Site. It was built in 1680 and is located in the southernmost part of the town. In 1960, ropes and cables were still being manufactured here. Today you can see Sweden's first submarine, the Hajen (Shark), built in 1905. Along Gröna Gången (the green path), yellow wooden houses that were officers' quarters in the 18th century are still inhabited

It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Northern Europe. It is very large and offers a striking view of the ochre-coloured buildings that surround it; in the centre stands the statue of Charles XI, the founder of the city. If you walk along Ronnebygatan (the main street), you will see the round forms of the Holy Trinity Church, whose plan was designed by Tessin the Younger based on a Roman church model. This church also attests to the presence, until the middle of the 19th century, of a Germanic community.

These districts, which are several hundred years old, are almost exclusively made up of red wooden houses in the purest Swedish style. The houses in Elsborg were built by the miners and those in Gamla Herrgården and Östanfors by the foundry workers. A stroll through these enchanting little districts will make you forget your own time and the city around you. A great way to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the country.

The memory of Västerås lies in this small district. Many of the small wooden houses, painted in yellow and red, low and squat, sometimes crooked, are more than 200 years old and it is good to stroll along the cobbled lanes, between gardens full of flowers in spring and snow in winter. Old signs hanging above the doors help to keep the charm of past centuries. A complete change of scenery after the charmless avenues of the modern city centre.

Björnhovda Kvarnar. 2 km east of Färjestaden you can see the king of mills, the largest in Öland.

Beijershamn. 5 km west of Vickleby, this 2 km long stone pier was built in 1850.

Bårbyborg. On the edge of road 136, this semi-circular fortress overlooks a precipice called Landborgsstupet. The panorama is magnificent.

Ottenby Kungsgård. By going up towards the north, one joins the road 136, in a landscape of hedged farmland where one sees many fallow deers. This is the territory of a royal farm, Ottenby Kungsgård, which has one of the largest flocks of sheep in Sweden.

Charles X Gustavus' wall. 6 km from the southern end of the island, a high stone wall cuts the island from east to west for 5 km. It was built in 1650, to prevent deer from leaving the Ottenby area.

Långe Jan Lighthouse and Ottenby Bird Station (Ottenby Fågelstation) - Ottenby

Eketorps Borg. 3 km further south, a small road to the west leads to the site of this^5th century stronghold, which was still inhabited in the early Middle Ages. Inside the wall, only the foundations of the houses are still visible.

Jags Museum. In Seby there is a very original museum: it celebrates the life of a man who was considered mad by his contemporaries, but who left behind a remarkable collection of sculptures and wooden furniture. A farmer who hated farm work, but was forced to do it, he presents his life's work here.