Kristinehamn Municipality

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**Kristinehamn Municipality (*Kommun*)**
Kristinehamn Municipality Map of Sweden with Kristinehamn highlighted	Coat of arms
	Municipal facts
	Seat	Kristinehamn:
	59° 18´ N 14° 07´ E
	County	Värmland County
	Province	Värmland
	Area Rank	748 km² 131st of 290
	Population Rank (2005)	24,000 x of 290
	Density	32/km²

Kristinehamn Municipality is a Swedish municipality in Värmland County, in west central Sweden. Its seat is in the town Kristinehamn, with 18,000 inhabitants at 67 meters elevation. Smaller towns include Björneborg, Bäckhammar, Nybble and Ölme.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Sites of interest
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Kristinehamn is situated by the shores of lake Vänern. To be precise, it is situated where the small rivers Varnan and Löt River drain into the lake.

It has a harbour and is a railroad and road transportation centerl

Nearby towns include Karlskoga and Karlstad and is located exactly in the middle of Oslo, Stockholm and Göteborg with 250 km to each of them.

[edit] History

Kristinehamn in 1700, in the work Suecia antiqua et hodierna.

The location has had a resident population for centuries, at least since the stone age time. The town was then built alongside the bridge over river Varnan. Its name was Broo (or Bro) until 1642, and "Bro" literally means "Bridge" in Swedish.

Kristinehamn got a Royal Charter for the first time in 1582 but lost it in 1584, and regained it in 1642, and changed its name in honour of the monarch Queen Christina of Sweden. It thus qualifies as one of Sweden's historical cities. Its city arms were designated with a bojort, which is a Dutch ship in use in the 17th century.

[edit] Sites of interest

Pablo Picasso statue

By the shores of lake Vänern stands this 15 meter high Pablo Picasso statue since 1965.
The oldest rune stone in the county of Värmland which is located in Järsberg around 1 km outside the city, with origin back to 500 BC. Latest interpretation of the runes made by Sven B F Jansson. Quotation: "My name is "Ljuv". My name is "Ravn". Me "Eril" am making the runes". A pearl from the same period of time has been found in the area.
The medieval island Saxholmen, situated out in the beautiful archipelago of Kristinehamn. There have been several archeological excavations on the island during the past few years. There is a myth of Saxholmen that once the cruel and hateful Saxe av Sachsen lived on the island with his wife and servants. His wife took off with her lover.
Kristinehamn Church was designed by professor C.G Brunius and was first opened in 1858. The church also has a museum in the sanctuary gallery that is worth a visit because of its unique architecture and that it is in fact the only cathedral in Värmland county.
Östervik chapel is a unique small church which has fascinating history and architecture.
Folk Museum, the redpainted houses made of wood, the rushing of the water, and the bleating of the sheep make altogether a wonderful atmosphere and give you a memorable visit. Lundbomsgården is a middle class home from the 19th century, the mill from the early 17th century.
Värmlands Säby Manor house has typical 18th century qualities with beautiful tiled stoves and painted tapestries. There is also a unique hedge maze consisting of 1747 bushes.