Kristinehamn – The first choice from Pablo Picasso
Kristinehamn …
- … has around 24,000 inhabitants.
- … covers an area of 1,384.43 square kilometers, nearly half of which is water.
- … was originally called Bro, as the road between Stockholm and Oslo passed here, and the bridge was crucial for crossing the Varnan waterway.
- … was granted city rights in 1642 and named Kristinehamn by Queen Kristina’s regency government. It is the only Swedish city named in her honor..
- … has Pablo Picasso’s first and largest sculpture by Lake Vänern, depicting his wife Jacqueline.
- … was, during the 1700s and 1800s, as important to the world economy as Wall Street is today, as the global price of iron was set here.
- … is located by Lake Vänern, Europe’s third largest lake, formed when the inland ice melted 10,000 years ago.
- … is the starting point of the Inland Railway (Inlandsbanan), which ends in Gällivare.
- … offers Lake Vänern’s best trolling fishing and beautiful archipelago nature with 1485 islands where you can spot sea eagles.
- … is a major producer of propulsion systems, with Kongsberg Maritime having manufactured and delivered over 8,000 systems to ships around the world.
- … is a leader in groundbreaking technology for future cancer treatments, as Atley Solutions both develops and manufactures its products here.
- … is Sweden’s market leader in baking molds. Nearly everything used by Swedish bakeries is produced here at Siluette of Sweden.
The History of Kristinehamn
– from trading post to a modern lakeside town on Lake Vänern
Kristinehamn’s history stretches far back in time, with traces of settlements dating to the Stone Age. However, the town’s development truly began at a place once known as Bro – a lively trading and meeting point by the bridge over the Varnan River, where important routes between Sweden and Norway crossed.
In the 16th century, the area gained greater importance when Duke Karl (later King Karl IX) established ironworks here. Its location by Lake Vänern made Bro a strategic shipping port for iron from the Bergslagen region, and trade flourished. By the 17th century, the town had developed into one of Sweden’s most important export harbours for bar iron – a product crucial to the national economy.
In 1642, Bro was granted town privileges and renamed Kristinehamn, after Queen Kristina. This marked a new chapter in the town’s development as a centre for trade and industry. For several centuries, Kristinehamn served as a key hub for transporting iron from Bergslagen, via Lake Vänern and out into the wider world.
During the 19th century, the town’s position was further strengthened with the arrival of the railway. One of Sweden’s earliest railways was built between Kristinehamn and Sjöändan, improving transport efficiency and contributing to continued growth.
Kristinehamn’s history is also shaped by both challenges and resilience. Major fires, including those in 1777 and 1893, destroyed large parts of the town. Each time, however, it was rebuilt – stronger than before.
Today, Kristinehamn still carries clear traces of its past. Its close connection to Lake Vänern, the harbour and its maritime heritage is reflected not least in the town’s coat of arms, where a sailing ship symbolizes the importance of shipping to its development.
From a simple trading post by a bridge to a vibrant small town with a strong identity – Kristinehamn is a place where history is ever-present and continues to shape the visitor experience today.
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Tourist train Lusen 2.0 starts
Kristinehamn, Kristinehamn
12 Jun – 22 Aug
Midsummer celebration at Kristinehamn’s folk museum
Kristinehamns Hembygdsgård, Kristinehamn
Midsummer celebration: Sunnäs folk museum
, Kristinehamn
Historical city walk
, Kristinehamn
29 Jun – 6 Aug
The Picasso sculpture with guide
Picassoudden, Kristinehamn
2 Jul – 7 Aug
Technology day in Rudskoga
Rudskoga Hembygdsgård, Kristinehamn
10:00
MovEat in Kristinehamn
, Kristinehamn
Autumn market
, Kristinehamn
14 Oct – 13 Oct
Christmas market in Kristinehamn
Kristinehamns Stadspark, Kristinehamn
11:00
Spring market
, Kristinehamn