Location: Vasteras
Top Things to do in Vasteras
The 5 Best Historic Sites in Vasteras, Vastmanland County
Västerås [vɛstɛrˈoːs] is a city in central Sweden, located on the shore of Lake Mälaren in the province Västmanland, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Stockholm. The city had a population of 119,372 inhabitants in 2016, out of the municipal total of 150,000 (2017). Västerås is the seat of Västerås Municipality, the capital of Västmanland County and an episcopal see.
Restaurants in Vasteras
1. Anundshog
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By KTGP - Adelaide, Australia
In one word, amazing. Nearly 7 weeks away and a handful of countries, Anundshög was our favourite site. We visited the end of March and looking down from the largest burial mound, (Anundshög) to the two largest stone ships surrounded by snow, is a sight which will never be forgotten. Had seen the pictures online of the stone ships encircled by greenery and thought it looked wonderful, however seeing it with snow was absolutely magical. Anundshög was a place of power from 500BC-1050AD, the site contains burial mounds, stone ships, road marked with stones, an impressive rune stone and stone circles. The original name of the site has been lost over time, however, it was known as Anundshög in mediaeval times. It is thought the name comes from the rune stone with the name Anund on, or from the mound where it was thought perhaps King Anund was buried. Anundshög is the largest burial mound in Sweden, at nine metres high and with a diameter of 64-68 metres, it is dated 500-900AD. Mediaeval documents state the Thing, a district court was held at the tumulus. Five stone ships are in the immediate vicinity of the Anundshög tumulus, which makes it the largest concentration of stone ships in Sweden, four have been restored. The stone ship at the foot of the tumulus, measures 53 metres long x 16 metres wide, with 26 stones, while the adjacent ship is, 51 metres long x 25 metres wide and consists of 24 stones, these are the largest stone ships on the site. Within each ship is a circular stone, perhaps to symbolise the mast. According to documents in the 1600’s the stones had fallen down, it is more likely as the stones were related to a pagan religion, they were destroyed as Christianity developed, restoration of the stones began in 1932. The fifteen standing stones in a straight line, mark the route of the Eriksgata, (Erik= king & gata=street) which was the journey of newly elected kings through the provinces, to be recognised in their assemblies. The rune stone from the 11th century, one of the fifteen stones of the above, has the following inscription around the border, "Folkvid raised all of these stones after his son Heden, Anund's brother. Vred carved the runes." This indicates Folkvid paid for the road. The image within the inscription is thought to be a man and a woman. As we were there the end of March, numerous puddles had frozen over, with a light dusting of snow, you didn’t know you had found one of these puddles, until the ice starting cracking underfoot, just something to be aware of. If staying in Stockholm it is so worth making the journey here, even with public transport. We caught the train from Stockholm to Västerås Central Station, there are regular trains both ways and the trip takes 1 hour. From Västerås we caught bus #24 which drops off directly in front of the Anundshög site, bus takes about 20 minutes, however time table isn’t very generous. As Tripadvisor will not allow links, for bus timetable go to Google and type in ‘Welcome on board - VL” this will lead you to the journey planner. Just put in Västerås Central to Anundshög, the Swedish spelling is required when entering the names.
2. Vasteras Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By SonjaB9 - Stockholm, Sweden
This cathedral dates back to the eleven hundreds and has been added to during the centuries. A renovation in the middle of the 20th century brought forward many of the best features from the passed centuries and added some new as the different looking lamps on the columns as well as the pulpit made of ceramic. The “new” organ produces beautiful music and there is much to see like the epitaphs and the well known sarcophagus of Erik the 14th who was poisoned by his brother Johan. Poison in his pea soup it is claimed. The tower of the cathedral is a landmark and beautiful to look at because of its shape and proportions. Outside you can see a sculpture of bishop Rudbeckius who in 1623 started the first high school (“gymnasium” ) in Sweden. The present school is located next to the cathedral as is “Proban” (on the other side) which was the prison for pupils and teachers who were punished for drunkenness etc. Go and see it all!
3. Kyrkbacken
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By ErikHuss - Västerås, Sweden
If there is one thing you shouldn't miss on your visit to Västerås it's Kyrkbacken. Stroll around. Read the signs to learn more about the buildings. Bring a camera!
4. The Turbine House
5. Labyrinten vid Tibble
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 17 reviews
