Köpingsvik

Köpingsvik is a village on the Swedish island province of Öland in Kalmar County. It is located about 4 km east of the city of Borgholm and has a population of 609 (2005).

Köpingsvik is known as a tourist center, offering large and modern camping sites. Nearby are the historic sites of Borgholm Castle and Halltorps Estate.

Köpingsvik was probably the most important Viking Age port of Sweden, covering an area of approximately 25 hectars, almost 4 times larger than the similar site on the island of Björkö near Stockholm. Köpingsvik was in operation from the 7th to the 13th century. It was also an important center of early Christianity in Sweden. Remains of an unfinished, massive 12th century church 42 meters long have been excavated as well as the largest collection of the so-called "eskilstunakistor", 75 pieces. There have been no serious excavations on the site since the 1970s.

Köpingsvik faded away around 1200, and Kalmar took over as the most important harbour town in south-eastern Sweden.

Köpingsvik is claimed by some amateur historians as a possible alternative to Björkö for the location of the old viking village Birka in SvíÞjóð (the ancient name for Sweden). Birka is mentioned in Vita Ansgari and the work of Adam of Bremen. The theory has not been widely accepted.

Panorama over Köpingsviks beach

External links

* [http://www.kopingsvik.se Köpingsvik.se] - Facts about Köpingsvik, Öland
* [http://www.olandsturist.nu Bomans Vacationhouses]