(during the 1920's=All About Sweden
Sweden is, in my opinion the most beautiful of the Scandinavian Countries. It has had a turbulent past and has taken on many changes during the past 900 years or so, especially geographically - with its borders increasing and decreasing according to its rulers and fortunes.
It is a country comprising circa. 11,000 lakes - the three biggest being Lake Vänern in the County of Värmlands,(3rd largest in Europe) which is where Karlstad is situated (its the main town of the region). The other is Lake Vättern, and the third is Lake Mälaren which is the huge expanse of water you fly over when going to Stockholm.
History of Karlstad
Karlstad, city and inland port in southern Sweden, partly on Tingvalla Island, on the northern shore of Lake Vänern, capital of Värmland County. Karlstad is near the estuary of the Klar River. Machines, matches, lumber, iron goods, and textiles are the chief industrial products of the town.
In the Middle ages the town was called "Tingvalla". Back then it was a small village, situated by the river "Klarälven". In 1584 "Duke Karl", who later became king founded Carlstad. (this is how it was originally spelt). The inhabitants then lived where the town city is today. The founder of Carlstad (Carls town) had a mansion on "Kungsberget",( in english "Kings mountain"). In 1719. Back then, Karlstad was built almost entirely out of wood and was devastated twice by great fires. The last fire in cirka 1750 destroyed everything bar the church and an odd building here or there. The fire took a greater hold because the buildings not only were made of wood, but everything stood so closely packed together.
Modern day Karlstad has very wide avenues and streets due to expert planning after the fire.
Tingvalla was "chartered" by the King in 1584 and adopted the name Carlstad (Karlstad) as a result of this. Karlstad is an episcopal seat and has a cathedral.
Karlstad was also the town where the Treaty ending the union of Sweden and Norway was signed in 1905. Karlstads Lodge Building (similiar to English Masons) was the actual place it was signed.
Today, the town is a sprawling, yet considerably untouched large town with roughly 80,000 inhabitants (many immigrants included). The town was granted university status a while back and now boasts a large uni complex with many great and varied courses.
Karlstad boasts a fine museum, many tourist attractions and great shops - but the best part of Karlstad is the unhurried feel to the place. It is surrounded by lakes and forests and farmland and although growing is not destined to become a sprawling concrete jungle (unlike so many large towns and cities of today).
A little history of Stockholm
City for more than seven centuries
The regent Birger Jarl is said to have founded Stockholm in 1252 and built the necessary fortifications. Thus, Stockholm in 2002 celebrated its 750th anniversary and festive events were planned throughout the year.
Stockholm was first granted a town charter in about 1250. At that time, Stockholm was governed by an advisory council and a Sheriff, who was appointed by the King. The advisory council, which was later to be called the “Magistraten” represented the townsmen of Stockholm, and was not only responsible for the administration of Stockholm’s affairs but also for the administration of justice through the town court. The “Magistraten” was responsible for such activities as representing Stockholm in negotiations with the State and the authorities of other towns, controlling commerce and industry, town planning and cleaning as well as maintaining law and order.
The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
During the seventeenth century, the Office of the Governor of Stockholm was established and the Governor, who was appointed by the King, became the Chairman of the “Magistraten”. In order to manage the growing number of activities, the “Magistraten” was divided into a number of corporate bodies, each of which was headed by a Mayor. During the seventeenth century, care of the poor was added to the list of activities undertaken by these bodies.
The nineteenth century
The City’s boards and administrations, and the activities they undertake, have successively continued to develop over the centuries. The most important milestone in the City’s development, as well as that of other municipalities, was the passing of the local government statutes in 1862. These statutes contained a special ordinance in respect of Stockholm, by virtue of which the City Council became the City’s supreme decision-making body. The role of the “Magistraten” changed from that of a decision-making body to an administrative organisation.
The City of Stockholm became a separate municipality with the right to determine its own affairs. In 1863 municipalities were given the authority to undertake activities which were beneficial to the common needs of their inhabitants. In principle, all inhabitants were considered to be equal. However, an inhabitant’s right to vote was determined by the size of his income. It was not until 1918 that people of both sexes, over the age of 23, were eventually granted the right to vote in municipal elections.
The twentieth century
In 1920, the Executive Officers of the City’s Municipal Administration were transferred to the City’s Central Board of Administration. The result was that those aldermen, who were specially elected and remunerated for their services, were responsible for submitting reports in respect of the various administrations. Like other municipalities, Stockholm has gone through a period of rapid expansion during the past century.
The City has been forced to meet the demands, and solve the problems inherent to urbanisation. During the first half of this century, this mostly concerned matters relating to hygiene and social welfare. Improvements to the City’s infrastructure, in respect of its roads and streets, street lighting, gas mains and electricity utilities, also became matters of importance for the municipality. The Act contains a number of special provisions for Stockholm, e.g. the number of members of the Stockholm City Council (minimum 101). Many municipal undertakings are specially regulated and are mandatory. Services in respect of schools, social welfare, town planning, the issuing of building permits and health and environmental protection belong to this category. The City’s voluntary activities include its cultural and recreational undertakings.
Patron Saint of Stockholm:-
At the end of the twelfth century, the Swedes chose Erik to be their patron saint and in time he became Stockholm’s special protector. St Erik appeared on the Stockholm seal for the first time in 1376, and remains on the City’s coat of arms to this day.
St Erik – Stockholm’s protector
Erik Jedvardsson was elected King at Mora Stenar in 1150. He took the royal name of Erik IX. Legend describes King Erik as a great leader, fair legislator and committed Christian. In 1160, the Danes beheaded Erik after an Ascension Day Mass.
According to the legend of St Erik a miracle appeared by his gravesite in the form of a spring – the St Erik Spring. The spring still flows by the north wall of Uppsala Cathedral. It was said that the waters cured the ill and that the blind regained sight. Erik was canonised but never worshipped as a saint in Nordic churches.
Stockholm is built around three archipelagos, go to on-line foto album at
http://pub32.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?usernum=2711200991&cpv=2
bravenet.com