Last week we finally made it to Östergötland — one of Sweden’s most historically rich regions and the setting for several episodes of the podcast, including episode 86. Here’s a look at what we saw.
Linköping
We started in Linköping, which has been an important centre of power in Sweden since the Middle Ages. The castle is an impressive sight — what you see today is largely a Renaissance structure built in the 16th century, though there has been a fortification on this spot for much longer. Inside, the museum does a wonderful job of bringing the region’s history to life, and we were particularly taken by the magnificent lion on display — the kind of detail that makes you stop and stare.
The cathedral nearby is equally striking. It’s one of the finest medieval churches in Sweden, with construction spanning several centuries. Standing inside, it’s hard not to feel the weight of everything that has happened within those walls.
Vadstena
From Linköping we headed to Vadstena, which for anyone who has been following the podcast needs no introduction. The abbey was founded by Saint Birgitta of Sweden in the 14th century and became one of the most important religious sites in the Nordic world. We saw the chest used to transport Birgitta’s remains back to Sweden from Rome — a surprisingly moving object for something so simple. The Chapter Hall is beautiful, and the original medieval paintings on the walls and ceiling of the Relic Room are remarkably well preserved. The abbey church contains the grave of Queen Filippa, marked by a stunning stained glass window above it.
Visingsö
The final stop was Visingsö — a small island in Lake Vättern reached by a short ferry crossing. The ruined Visingsborg castle dominates the view as you approach, and it’s one of those places that looks almost impossibly dramatic against the lake. The castle was the seat of the powerful De la Gardie family in the 17th century before being largely destroyed by fire.
We also visited the much older Näs castle, or what remains of it. Näs was a royal residence from the Viking Age through to the medieval period and is associated with several of Sweden’s earliest kings. Today only the foundations and the base of one tower survive, but standing inside that tower and looking out towards the mainland gives you a genuine sense of the place’s former importance.
A brilliant few days — Östergötland absolutely delivers on its historical promise. More on all of this in the podcast!
