Skänninge

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Skänninge


image_caption = Market square
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Mjölby Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Östergötland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Östergötland
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 = 2.74
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3,242
population_density_km2 = 1185
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=58 |latm=24 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=15 |longm=05 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Skänninge is a town in Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden, which has about 3,500 inhabitants. It is situated about 10 km north of the municipal seat Mjölby.

Before the local government reform in 1971 the "City of Skänninge" was a municipal entity of its own.

Skänninge 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.

Geography

The town is located on the Skena river.

History

Its history goes back to the 11th century, making it one of the oldest cities in Sweden. The town has changed little since then, and is still the same size with the same street structure. Many locations are recognizable since the Middle Ages.

.

In 1250, the reigning family of Folkung had its main quarters near Skänninge, and the town developed into something of the Götaland capital, and the market place became one of the richest and most attended in the country. However, in the 13th century, the nearby located city of Vadstena surpassed it in interest. Furthermore, Skännige suffered fires in 1477 and 1466.

The annual Skänninge Market with its 1000 year old tradition is still being held in August every year, and visited by around 120,000 people.

References

External links

* [http://runeberg.org/nfce/0710.html article "Skänninge"] from Nordisk familjebok
* [http://www.skenninge.se Skänninge - Den lilla staden med de stora minnena]