Valdemarsvik
Encyclopedia
Valdemarsvik is a locality, situated along side the bay of Valdemarsviken which connects to the Baltic Sea
. It is the seat of Valdemarsvik Municipality
which is located in Östergötland County
, Sweden
. It is a popular tourist resort, known for having one of Sweden's most beautiful and pristine environment, with a wide variety of different activities to offer.
, the water withdrew as the land rose. The resulting appearance of fertile soil drew settlers in the Bronze Age
, around 1500 BC. The surrounding archipelago has had a bloody history: remains of shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea and Viking era remnants witness of battles from that time. Industrialization occurred during the 1630's, when Valdemarsvik became a trade port for copper
and leather
; one of Sweden's largest tanneries
was located in Valdemarsvik. The town's name was first mentioned in 1664.
Free access to the nearby forests is made possible by allemansrätten, or freedom to roam. The forests provide opportunities for mushroom hunters
and berry pickers, as well as wildlife spotting: the moose
, largest species in the deer family
as well as a symbol of Swedish nature, is a common sight.
Other recreational activities include bicycle rentals, golf, cinemas, canoeing, riding, and museums. The internationally famed glass artist, sculptor and painter Milan Wobruba has a studio, where visitors have the opportunity to be involved in glass blowing and the manufacture of glass. An “October Market”, held every October 4, is both a market, with a range of goods to be sold, and a fair, featuring acrobats, cotton candy
, live music
and various amusement rides
.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafés to visit in the municipality. Many of them are open all year round but there are also those that are only open during the summer. Also, each year there is exists a special “food competition”. Dishes are to be made, the ingredients should, as far as possible, be locally produced and which a jury then assesses. The winner will then have his or her dish served at most restaurants in the municipality.
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. It is the seat of Valdemarsvik Municipality
Valdemarsvik Municipality
Valdemarsvik Municipality is a municipality in Östergötland County in southeast Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Valdemarsvik.Valdemarsvik was originally a market town under the city of Söderköping...
which is located in Östergötland County
Östergötland County
Östergötland County is a county or län in southeastern Sweden. It borders the counties of Kalmar to the southeast, Jönköping to the southwest, Västra Götaland to the west, Örebro to the northwest, Södermanland to the northeast, and the Baltic Sea to the east.Östergötland County has a population of...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It is a popular tourist resort, known for having one of Sweden's most beautiful and pristine environment, with a wide variety of different activities to offer.
History
Valdemarsvik is surrounded by water. However, after the end of the last glacial period, it lay beneath the sea level. As a result of post-glacial reboundPost-glacial rebound
Post-glacial rebound is the rise of land masses that were depressed by the huge weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period, through a process known as isostasy...
, the water withdrew as the land rose. The resulting appearance of fertile soil drew settlers in the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
, around 1500 BC. The surrounding archipelago has had a bloody history: remains of shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea and Viking era remnants witness of battles from that time. Industrialization occurred during the 1630's, when Valdemarsvik became a trade port for copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
and leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
; one of Sweden's largest tanneries
Tannery
Tannery may refer to:* Tannery , a facility where the tanning process is applied to hide to produce leather* Paul Tannery , a French mathematician and historian of mathematics...
was located in Valdemarsvik. The town's name was first mentioned in 1664.
Tourism and Entertainment
Sailing to the Gryt archipelago to swim and fish is a popular summertime activity. Boat excursions and jetski rentals are also available.- “No one I know who has experienced Gryt’s archipelago disagrees with me saying: It has been — and is — a blessing to experience this archipelago, this living porch, stretching out into the endless ocean." - Henning MankellHenning MankellHenning Mankell is a Swedish crime writer, children's author, leftist activist and dramatist, best known for a series of mystery novels starring his most famous creation, Inspector Kurt Wallander.-Life and career:...
, author and seasonal resident of the archipelago of Gryt.
Free access to the nearby forests is made possible by allemansrätten, or freedom to roam. The forests provide opportunities for mushroom hunters
Mushroom hunting
Mushroom hunting, mushrooming, mushroom picking, and similar terms describe the activity of gathering mushrooms in the wild, typically for eating...
and berry pickers, as well as wildlife spotting: the moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, largest species in the deer family
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
as well as a symbol of Swedish nature, is a common sight.
Other recreational activities include bicycle rentals, golf, cinemas, canoeing, riding, and museums. The internationally famed glass artist, sculptor and painter Milan Wobruba has a studio, where visitors have the opportunity to be involved in glass blowing and the manufacture of glass. An “October Market”, held every October 4, is both a market, with a range of goods to be sold, and a fair, featuring acrobats, cotton candy
Cotton candy
Cotton candy , candy floss or candyfloss or candy buttox , or fairy floss is a form of spun sugar. Since cotton candy is mostly air, a small initial quantity of sugar generates a tremendously greater final volume, causing servings to be physically large and voluminous...
, live music
Live Music
Live Music is a reggaeton company owned by DJ Giann.-Artists:* Jowell & Randy* Tony Lenta* Watussi* De La Ghetto* Guelo Star* Galante "El Emperador"-Producers:*DJ Blass*Dexter*Mr. Greenz*DJ Giann*Los Hitmen*Dirty Joe*ALX...
and various amusement rides
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafés to visit in the municipality. Many of them are open all year round but there are also those that are only open during the summer. Also, each year there is exists a special “food competition”. Dishes are to be made, the ingredients should, as far as possible, be locally produced and which a jury then assesses. The winner will then have his or her dish served at most restaurants in the municipality.