Vadstena

Vadstena is a locality ( tätort ) in the Swedish province of Östergötland County and the historic province of Östergötland. The place on Vättern is the capital of the municipality of the same name.

History

Vadstena was developed in connection with the establishment of Birgit Tinen monastery in the 14th century and got in 1400 of Queen Margareta the municipal law. The monastery became the spiritual center and because of donations to the largest landowners in Sweden in the following century, promoted the development of the city. In addition, Vadstena became an important political meeting place. After the Reformation, from, the importance of the monastery, which was eventually closed in 1595, but also one of the kingdom of castles Gustav Vasa was built in Vadstena. Vadstena was then residence of the Wasa son Duke Magnus, but after his death, the population growth of the city began to stagnate: In the late 18th century, the population was 1,400 inhabitants ..

Attractions

The city center, now a pedestrian zone, follows in his plan of the medieval system. About twenty buildings from the Middle Ages still preserved, including the oldest City Hall in Sweden, built in the 15th century. Dominating the city but the one of the remains of the monastery of Vadstena north of the Old Town and the Vasa fortress castle Vadstena south of the old town. In the near Nässja is a large burial ground.

Economy

Vadstena is primarily a service center today. Tourism plays an important role in the economy of the city.

Partnership

For several years, there is a community friendship with the Bavarian market town Altomuenster with her Birgittenkloster.

Born in Vadstena

• Gustaf Bengtsson (1886-1964), composer
• Yngve Zotterman (1898-1982), a neurophysiologist
• Örjan Martinsson (1936-1997), football player and coach