Skara

Skara is a town in the Swedish province of Västra Götaland County and the historic province of Västergötland.

It is located on the European road 20, about 150 km northeast of Gothenburg. Skara is the center of the former province of Skaraborg County, chief town of the same name.

History

Skaras rise began in 1050 with the relocation of the first Swedish bishop 's seat in the city ( Diocese of Skara ). The city was in the Middle Ages ecclesiastical and cultural center of Västergötland. After the Reformation in 1527 and the confiscation of all church property by the king, the city lost its economic and cultural importance, but remained an important region for the school town. Your founded in the Middle Ages Cathedral School from 1641 converted into a high school, a veterinary hospital was founded in 1774 (now University ). The further development of the city is characterized by its role as episcopal and university city, the connection to the economic development in the 19th century was missed because the route of the main railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg was rejected by the city.

Cityscape

The city center still has its irregular medieval layout. The Old Market Square, the Gothic cathedral, the second oldest in Sweden, and the town hall form the center. More interesting cultural and historical buildings are the library and the old school from the second half of the 19th century ( cultural monuments ). Also, there are still a number of wooden houses from the 19th century. Just north of the old town is the Provincial Museum ( Museum of Västergötland ), which includes an open air museum with buildings from the region. One of Skaras twin cities is Zeven (Lower Saxony, Germany ).

Education and Economy

Skara is a branch of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences ( Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, SLU ). Even companies in the music and entertainment industry have their headquarters in Skara and make the city one of the most important centers of this industry outside of big cities.

Skara is the starting point of the museum railway Skara Lundsbrunn that is in the summer season ( late June to early September) traveled by steam trains and rail buses.