Kristinehamn

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kristinehamn


image_caption =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Kristinehamn Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Värmland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Värmland
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 = 13.42
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 17,836
population_density_km2 = 1329
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=59 |latm=18 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=14 |longm=07 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Kristinehamn is a town (pop. around 18.000) in the province Värmland in western Sweden and the seat of Kristinehamn Municipality, Värmland County.

Geography

Kristinehamn is situated by the shores of lake Vänern. To be precise, it is situated where the small rivers "Varnan" and "Löt" drain into the lake.

It has a harbour and is a railroad and road transportation center.

Nearby towns include Karlskoga and Karlstad and is located exactly in the middle of Oslo, Stockholm and Gothenburg with 250 km to each of them.

History

The location has had a resident population for centuries, at least since the stone age time. The town was then built alongside the bridge over river Varnan. Its name was "Broo" (or Bro) until 1642, and "Bro" literally means "Bridge" in Swedish.

Kristinehamn got a Royal Charter for the first time in 1582 but lost it in 1584, and regained it in 1642, and changed its name in honour of the monarch Queen Christina of Sweden. It thus qualifies as one of Sweden's historical cities. Its city arms were designated with a "bojort", which is a Dutch ship in use in the 17th century.

Sites of interest

*By the shores of lake Vänern stands this 15 meter high Pablo Picasso statue since 1965.
*The oldest runestone in the county of Värmland which is located in Järsberg around 1 km outside the city, with origin back to 500 BC. Latest interpretation of the runes made by Sven B F Jansson. Quotation: "My name is "Ljuv". My name is "Ravn". Me "Eril" am making the runes". A pearl from the same period of time has been found in the area.
*Kristinehamn Church was designed by professor C.G Brunius and was first opened in 1858. The church also has a museum in the sanctuary gallery that is worth a visit because of its unique architecture.

References