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Territory
Wonders of Sweden
  Highlights
Sweden is a prosperous country with a rich natural and cultural heritage.
This North European country can not boast of the world’s most impressive man-made or natural attractions, but it has a bit of everything. Some of the most impressive wonders of Sweden are:
- Megaliths, runestones and prehistoric settlements. Sweden has a high diversity of archaeological monuments. Many are of international interest – such as Rök runestone, Eketorp, and Ismantorp fortress, the gargantuan Askeberga stone ship, and many others.
- Historical towns and cities. Sweden has several very interesting historical towns, such as Falun, and Old Stockholm (Gamla stan). Very special is Visby – well preserved medieval trade metropolis of the Baltic sea.
Map with the described wonders of Sweden
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Top 25 wonders of Sweden
Geological wonders
Skierfe (Skierffe)
Norrbotten
Mountain with more than 400 m tall, nearly vertical cliff side towards Rapa Valley. At the base of the mountain is located an important Sieidi – Sami sacred place.
Archaeological wonders
Eketorp
Kalmar
Reconstructed Iron Age fort in the desolate Stora Alvaret. This is an impressive ringfort that was originally constructed around 400 AD. Ringfort has a diameter of some 80 m and is surrounded by a tall wall.
Ale’s Stones (Ales stenar)
Skone (SkĂĄne)
A stone ship 67 meters long, one of the largest stone ships. Formed from 59 large boulders, up to 1.8 tonnes heavy. Most likely built sometime around 600 AD.
Rök runestone
Ostergotland (Östergötland)
This stone has the longest known inscription (760 runes) in runestone. This long writing was probably carved in the early 9th century and represents an early example of Swedish literature. The inscription contains references to lost Norse mythology and the Western Roman emperor. Text is partly deciphered, albeit very hard to read and understand.
Stone labyrinth of BlĂĄ Jungfrun
Kalmar
Stone labyrinth – stone setting on the bare granite surface of Blå Jungfrun island – a small island rising 86 m above the sea. The island is seen as an evil magical place in folklore, a place of witch gathering.
Askeberga Stone Ship
Vastra Gotaland (Västra Götaland)
Impressive megalithic monument – 55 m long stone ship, made from 24 stone blocks of gargantuan size, up to 15 tons heavy.
Architecture wonders
Drottningholm palace and gardens
Stockholm
Royal palace and gardens on an island in Lake Mälaren. Buildings were constructed in the late 16th – 18th century. Much of the ornate interior is in Rococo style. Castle grounds contain a well-preserved theater (1766) with intact machinery and a fine Chinese pavilion (1769) in Rococo style. Lush gardens around the palace are in Baroque and English styles.
Visby
Gotland
One of the best preserved medieval cities in Northern Europe, with 3.4 km long city walls. The city flourished in the 10th – 16th century.
Gripsholm castle
Sodermanland (Södermanland)
Enormous castle in Renaissance style. The first fortress was built here in 1380, the current castle was built in 1537 – 1709. Contains the National Portrait Gallery – one of the oldest portrait collections in the world.
Kalmar castle
Kalmar
A medieval castle, constructed in the 12th century and rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 16th century. One of the best preserved Renaissance castles in Sweden.
Riddarholmen church
Stockholm
Gothic church, the oldest parts were built in the late 13th century. Church has served as a burial site for many Swedish monarchs.
Läckö castle
Vastra Gotaland (Västra Götaland)
One of the most prominent medieval castles in Sweden. Construction started in 1298, the castle was rebuilt and extended in later times. Now the castle has more than 250 rooms.
Strömsholm palace
Vastmanland (Västmanland)
Royal palace in Baroque style. It is built on an island on the site of a medieval castle. Constructed in 1669 – 1674. Especially valuable are the beautiful interiors and collection of Swedish paintings.
Skansen
Stockholm
The first ethnographic open-air museum in the world, it was founded in 1891. The museum includes a full-scale replica of the 19th-century town, a zoo, and other attractions.
Stockholm Gamla stan
Stockholm
The old town of Stockholm on Stadsholmen island. Well preserved medieval buildings in Renaissance and Baroque style, street network. One street – Mårten Trotzigs gränd – is just 90 cm wide.
Ă–rebro castle
Orebro (Ă–rebro)
Medieval castle on an island, built in the 13th – 14th centuries, rebuilt in 1900.
Vadstena castle
Ostergotland (Östergötland)
Former royal castle, built in 1545 at the shore of Lake Vättern. One of the best examples of the Swedish Renaissance.
Sigtuna
Stockholm
The oldest city in Sweden, founded in 980 AD. Well preserved medieval street network with many old buildings, runic stones, and archaeological monuments.
Lund cathedral
Skone (SkĂĄne)
Large cathedral, built mainly in the Romanesque style. The first cathedral was built here before 1085 but the construction date of the current cathedral is not known – it is between 1104 and 1123.
Uppsala cathedral
Uppsala
The tallest church in Scandinavia, 118.7 m tall. Uppsala Cathedral was built in the late 13th century to replace the strong pagan beliefs in the site of the main pagan shrine in this region. Cathedral is constructed in brick Gothic style.
St.Peter abbey in Ystad
Skone (SkĂĄne)
A medieval monastery, one of the best-preserved monasteries in Sweden. Founded in 1267. Consists of three buildings, and represents one of the most outstanding examples of brick Gothic in Sweden.
LuleĂĄ Gammelstad
Norrbotten
A well preserved church village – 424 wooden houses around an early stone church from the 15th century. Village was inhabited only on Sundays and church holidays when people from the countryside came to the church and stayed there overnight. Village developed since the middle of the 16th century.
Stockholm city hall
Stockholm
This city hall building belongs to the most outstanding examples of the National Romantic style. The massive building was constructed in 1911 – 1923 and its dominant is a 106 m tall tower.
Vadstena Abbey
Ostergotland (Östergötland)
Established in 1346 by St. Bridget, here started Bridgettine Order.
Källunge church
Gotland
Old and interesting church, built in Romanesque style in the 12th century. The church is richly adorned with frescoes and archaic sculptures that show the influence of Byzantine style – most likely from Byzantium and Russia.
Recommended books
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sweden
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sweden is your expert guide to this breathtaking country. The fully updated guide includes unique cutaways, floor plans, and reconstructions of the must-see sights, plus street-by-street maps of all cities and towns.
Rick Steves Scandinavia
Explore Europe’s most prosperous corner: a smorgasbord of Viking ships, brooding castles, and emerald fjords. With Rick Steves on your side, Scandinavia can be yours!