Set along Lake Vättern, beautiful Vadstena is one of the most pleasant towns in Sweden. The Renaissance castle Vadstena slott looks straight over the harbour and lake beyond. It is a mighty family project of the early Vasa kings, and it houses in the upper apartments some items of period furniture and paintings, including a Van Dyck. The equally impressive 15th-century klosterkyrkan or abbey is a combination of Gothic and some Renaissance features. Inside are the accumulated relics of St Birgitta and late-medieval sculpture, including a depiction of the saint during revelation. Also of note is Bjälboättens palats, the old convent and once royal residence. Buses run to/from Vadstena via Linköping, Jönköping and Örebro.

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• Grand European North

Summary|Gothenburg|Oland
Stockholm|Vadstena|Visby
Culture|History