Borgholm

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Borgholm


image_caption = Borgholm Castle
image_shield =


mapsize =
map_caption =
settlement_type =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Borgholm Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Kalmar County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Öland
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 2.56
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3,093
population_density_km2 = 1207
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=56 |latm=53 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=16 |longm=39 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Borgholm is a city in Kalmar County, south-eastern Sweden, located on the island of Öland in the Baltic Sea. It is the seat of Borgholm Municipality and has a population of 3,093 (2005).

Borgholm is one of Sweden's historical towns with a former city status ("stad"). The city is best known for its once-magnificent fortress which is now ruined. Borgholm is, despite its small population, for historical reasons normally still referred to as a "city". Statistics Sweden, however, only counts localities with more than 10,000 inhabitants as cities.

Name

"Borgholm" means "fortress helmet", a reference to its position at the top of the island of Őland.

Geography

The city is situated some 20 km north of the Öland bridge which connects the island with the city of Kalmar on the mainland.

History

Borgholm is the main city of Öland, but remains one of the smallest cities in Sweden. The city received its charter in 1816 and emerged as a spa-town in the shadow of the ruins of the once mighty Borgholm Castle, which burned down in 1806. So important and magnificent was this castle, that it has become the city arms, and the ruins are the best known attraction in the municipality, perhaps on the entire island of Öland. Slightly further south is Halltorps Estate, a historic royal estate linked to Borgholm Castle.

The city serves as centre of northern Öland, and is one of the most popular summer resorts in Sweden.

Borgholm Castle has its modern counterpart outside Borgholm. The Swedish Royal Family has its official summer residence at Solliden Palace a couple of kilometres outside the city centre. The Crown Princess Victoria's birthday is annually celebrated on July 14 at the Borgholm Sports Field.

Environs

There are small reaches of the Stora Alvaret geological formation in the environs of Borgholm, which level exposures of limestone host a variety of rare species of butterflies and wildflowers, some of which are endemic to Öland.

Gallery

ee also

*Borgholm Castle
*Öland

References

External links

* [http://www.borgholm.se/ Borgholm Municipality] - Official site