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Valdemarsvik

Coordinates: 58°12′N 16°36′E / 58.200°N 16.600°E / 58.200; 16.600
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Valdemarsvik
Valdemarsvik is located in Östergötland
Valdemarsvik
Valdemarsvik
Valdemarsvik is located in Sweden
Valdemarsvik
Valdemarsvik
Coordinates: 58°12′N 16°36′E / 58.200°N 16.600°E / 58.200; 16.600
CountrySweden
ProvinceÖstergötland
and Småland
CountyÖstergötland County
MunicipalityValdemarsvik Municipality
Area
 • Total2.89 km2 (1.12 sq mi)
Population
 (31 December 2020)[2]
 • Total2,751
 • Density950/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)

Valdemarsvik is a locality, situated alongside the bay of Valdemarsviken [sv] which connects to the Baltic Sea. It is the seat of Valdemarsvik Municipality which is located in Östergötland County, Sweden. The coastal area is a popular summer destination, particularly with Swedish tourists.

History

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A 1913 postcard of Valdemarsvik

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 rebound, the water withdrew as the land rose. The resulting appearance of fertile soil drew settlers in the Bronze Age, around 1500 BC.[3]

The surrounding archipelago has had a bloody history: remains of shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea and Viking Age remnants witness of battles from that time. Industrialization occurred during the 1630s, 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.[3]

Tourism and entertainment

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Sailing to the Tjust archipelago [sv] 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 Mankell, author and seasonal resident of the archipelago of Gryt[4][5][6]

Other recreational activities include bicycle rentals, golf, cinemas, canoeing, and horse riding. There are museums in the locality that can be visited. The glass artist, sculptor and painter Milan Wobruba [sv] has a studio, where visitors have the opportunity to be involved in glass blowing and the manufacture of glass. An "October Market", held every 4 October, 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.[citation needed]

Many of Valdemarsvik's restaurants and cafés are open all year round; other are open during the tourist season. 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 winning dish is then served at most restaurants in the municipality.[7]

The football club Valdemarsviks IF is located in Valdemarsvik.[citation needed]

References

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Media related to Valdemarsvik at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ^ "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2005 och 2010" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Statistiska tätorter 2020, befolkning, landareal, befolkningstäthet". Statistics Sweden. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Historik – Valdemarsviks kommun" (in Swedish). Valdemarsvik Municipality. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Turist i Valdemarsviks kommun – Valdemarsviks kommun". Archived from the original on 26 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Allmän turistinformation – Valdemarsviks kommun". Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  6. ^ "Se och göra – Valdemarsviks kommun". Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Äta – Valdemarsviks kommun". Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.