Scandinavian Discovery Jonkoping Sweden

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Hello, I know its been a while since I last posted, no excuses ...  so to catch up real quick here we go day by day ....


Thursday 15th July

Jonkoping, Sweden

Perched at the southernmost tip of Lake Vattern, Jonkoping (pronounced “yurn-shurping”) is one of the oldest medieval centres in the country, having won its own town charter in 1284. Today, it's famous for being the home of the matchstick, the nineteenth century manufacture and worldwide distribution of which made Jonkoping a wealthy place.

History

Jönköping is an old trading center (Köping), since it was located on a crossroad for the roads following along the rivers Nissan and Lagan, and the road between the provinces Östergötland and Västergötland. This was rather natural due to the geographical position of the city at the southern end of lake Vättern, which divided the two counties. On 18 May 1284, Jönköping received rights as a City in Sweden as one of the first communities in the country, by King Magnus Ladulås, who at that time largely ruled the nation from Vättern's largest island Visingsö. In the name of the city "Jön-" is derived from a creek, "Junebäcken", which was situated in the nowadays western part of the city, Talavid. This was the location of the first known settlement in the area. The second part of the name "-köping", as mentioned above, is an old word for a trading centre or market place.

Lake Vattern, Sweden's second largest Lake, nearly 129km (80 miles) from North to South and 31km (19 miles) across at the widest point.

The Journey

This morning we travel along the north Danish coast before moving inland to Hillerod, and our visit to Frederiksborg Castle, a short walk (5-10 mins) from the coach park takes us to the courtyard (please do not bring large bags as they are not allowed in the castle), once inside you have a self guided tour. After leaving we will continue towards Helsingor passing another of the Queens residences, Fredensborg (Photo stop). In Helsingor you shall be free for lunch, lots of snack restaurants available in the shopping area. After lunch we shall board the ferry for the short 25 minute crossing to Helsingborg in Sweden, nice views of Kronborg Castle (Elsinore in Hamlet), once we leave the ferry we shall be joining the main route towards Jonkoping, an afternoon stop shall be made at a service area, before arriving in Jonkoping and our Hotel, the Elite Stora, situated in the town, opposite Lake Vattern.

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