Falköping

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Falköping


image_caption = "Stora Torget", main town square.
image_shield =


mapsize =
map_caption =
settlement_type =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Falköping Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Västra Götaland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Västergötland
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 = 8.36
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 15,821
population_density_km2 = 1891
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=58 |latm=10 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=13 |longm=33 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Falköping is a city in the traditional province of Västergötland, Sweden and the seat of Falköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County. It has a population of about 15,000 inhabitants.

The city of Falköping most likely emerged during the 15th century but earlier the town was an important site of pilgrimage due to its 12th century church dedicated to Saint Olaf ("Sankt Olof"). The city was heading for a shut-down during the 16th century and was even burnt to the ground by the Danish during the Northern Seven Years' War. However the city survived as one of the smallest cities in the kingdom.

The city is located where the Western Railline (Västra Stambanan) between Stockholm and Gothenburg meets the railline from Nässjö via Jönköping to Falköping. The city has never been a major industrial town and has existed as a mere service centre for the surrounding rural landscape, known as Falbygden, now Falköpings kommun.

References