Varberg
Encyclopedia
Varberg is a locality
and the seat of Varberg Municipality
, Halland County
, Sweden
with 26,041 inhabitants in 2005.
Varberg and all of Halland are well known for their 'typical west coast' sandy beaches. In Varberg the coast changes from wide sandy beaches to rocky terrain that continues north into the Bohuslän archipelago and as far as the North Cape. Varberg is a charming and popular summer resort and many people from inland cities such as Borås are either moving to Varberg or holidaying there."
described it in 1826 as the least appealing place in Sweden, which has later been used in the marketing of Varberg. The sandy beaches are however very popular in the summer. Another main factor in Varberg is its natural surroundings. Just a 20 minute drive inland reveals a totally different landscape. Here you will be among an enchanting landscape rolling hills with lakes and forests in contrast to the flatter coastal areas.
establishments along the coast, in what was then Danish
territory. In the middle of the 14th century, the old settlement Getakärr 1 km north of the fortress took its new name from the fortress. The town was moved 5 km northwards around the year 1400. It was destroyed in the beginning of the 17th century and rebuilt near the fortress. In 1645 Halland passed from Denmark
to Sweden
by the Treaty of Brömsebro for a period of 30 years. It had at that time about 600 inhabitants. The transfer was made permanent by the Treaty of Roskilde
in 1658. The town was moved again after a fire in 1666, to the location were the city centre is today. The city was devastated by a huge fire in 1863 and was subsequently rebuilt with stone or brick houses. In 1890 the population figure had passed 4,000 and with industrialization it reached 8,500 in 1930. The local government
reform of 1971 made Varberg the seat of the much larger Varberg Municipality
, with a population of today almost 56,000 inhabitants. Although several houses were torn down in the 1970s, most of the city centre still remains intact.
is its most notable historical building, mostly because of its size as it has no architectural uniformity. It was first built as a castle in 1280, with new parts being built in successions.
Near Varberg there is the VLF transmitter Grimeton, an interesting radiotechnical facility and classified by UNESCO
to be a World Cultural Heritage. It can be visited during the summer.
Urban areas in Sweden
Urban area is a common English translation of the Swedish term tätort. The official term in English, used by Statistics Sweden, is, however, locality. There are 1,940 localities in Sweden . They could be compared with census-designated places in the United States.A tätort in Sweden has a minimum of...
and the seat of Varberg Municipality
Varberg Municipality
Varberg Municipality is a municipality in Halland County, in southwest Sweden. Its seat is in Varberg.It was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of the City of Varberg and the surrounding rural municipalities...
, Halland County
Halland County
Halland County is a county on the western coast of Sweden. It corresponds roughly to the cultural and historical province of Halland. The capital is Halmstad....
, 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....
with 26,041 inhabitants in 2005.
Varberg and all of Halland are well known for their 'typical west coast' sandy beaches. In Varberg the coast changes from wide sandy beaches to rocky terrain that continues north into the Bohuslän archipelago and as far as the North Cape. Varberg is a charming and popular summer resort and many people from inland cities such as Borås are either moving to Varberg or holidaying there."
Geography
Varberg is located in a terrain of hills and plains. It is largely without trees and green areas, in its place are bald rocks and sand. The Swedish authoritative author and bishop Esaias TegnérEsaias Tegnér
Esaias Tegnér , was a Swedish writer, professor of Greek language, and bishop. He was during the 19th century regarded as the father of modern poetry in Sweden, mainly through the national romantic epos Frithjof's Saga. He has been called Sweden's first modern man...
described it in 1826 as the least appealing place in Sweden, which has later been used in the marketing of Varberg. The sandy beaches are however very popular in the summer. Another main factor in Varberg is its natural surroundings. Just a 20 minute drive inland reveals a totally different landscape. Here you will be among an enchanting landscape rolling hills with lakes and forests in contrast to the flatter coastal areas.
History
A fortress called Varberg (at that time written Wardbergh, "watch hill") was erected in the 1280-ies as part of a chain of militaryMilitary
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
establishments along the coast, in what was then Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
territory. In the middle of the 14th century, the old settlement Getakärr 1 km north of the fortress took its new name from the fortress. The town was moved 5 km northwards around the year 1400. It was destroyed in the beginning of the 17th century and rebuilt near the fortress. In 1645 Halland passed from Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
to 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....
by the Treaty of Brömsebro for a period of 30 years. It had at that time about 600 inhabitants. The transfer was made permanent by the Treaty of Roskilde
Treaty of Roskilde
The Treaty of Roskilde was concluded on 26 February or 8 March 1658 during the Second Northern War between Frederick III of Denmark–Norway and Charles X Gustav of Sweden in the Danish city of Roskilde...
in 1658. The town was moved again after a fire in 1666, to the location were the city centre is today. The city was devastated by a huge fire in 1863 and was subsequently rebuilt with stone or brick houses. In 1890 the population figure had passed 4,000 and with industrialization it reached 8,500 in 1930. The local government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
reform of 1971 made Varberg the seat of the much larger Varberg Municipality
Varberg Municipality
Varberg Municipality is a municipality in Halland County, in southwest Sweden. Its seat is in Varberg.It was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of the City of Varberg and the surrounding rural municipalities...
, with a population of today almost 56,000 inhabitants. Although several houses were torn down in the 1970s, most of the city centre still remains intact.
Sights
Varberg's fortressVarberg Fortress
Varberg Fortress is a former fortification in Varberg, Halland County, Sweden .-History:Varberg Fortress was built in 1287-1300 by count Jacob Nielsen as protection against his Danish king, who had declared him an outlaw after the murder of King Eric V of Denmark.Jacob had close connections with...
is its most notable historical building, mostly because of its size as it has no architectural uniformity. It was first built as a castle in 1280, with new parts being built in successions.
Near Varberg there is the VLF transmitter Grimeton, an interesting radiotechnical facility and classified by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
to be a World Cultural Heritage. It can be visited during the summer.
Sports
The following sports clubs are located in Varberg:- Varbergs BoIS FCVarbergs BoIS FCVarbergs BoIS FC is a Swedish football club located in Varberg, the main town of Varberg Municipality in Halland County.-Background:The club was formed at a meeting in the Varbergs Folkets Hus on 25 March 1925...
- Varbergs GIF FKVarbergs GIF FKVarbergs GIF FK is a Swedish football club located in Varberg. -Background:Varbergs Gymnastik- och Idrottsförening was formed on 28th May 1905 and shortly afterwards included football in their programme...
- Lilla Träslövs FFLilla Träslövs FFLilla Träslövs FF is a Swedish football club located in Varberg. -Background:Lilla Träslövs FF currently plays in Division 4 Halland which is the sixth tier of Swedish football. They play their home matches at the Östervi in Varberg....
External links
- Varberg Municipality - Official site
- Halland County Museum at Varberg - Official site