Vadstena Travel Guide

 
by angiebabe
  •   Vadstena
    by angiebabe
  •   Vadstena
    by angiebabe
  • Vadstena castle
      Vadstena castle
    by Marpessa
  • Lake Vättern
      Lake Vättern
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  • Street of Vadstena
      Street of Vadstena
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Explore Vadstena

Things to Do  

Graves in Abbey grounds

Graves in Abbey grounds, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  At the time when the church was build only the rich people could buy a burial place inside the church.The ones that couldn't afford this have been buried on the grounds around the Abbey Church and many of these old graves can be seen today on the way to the church's... 

Alvastra and St. Birgitta

Alvastra and St. Birgitta, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  It is said that Birgitta received the command from Jesus Christ to found a new order, a new convent while she was still living in Alvastra.She told everything to her confessor who translated all into Latin. The convent it was supposed to include both men and women, under the... 

Alvastra Klosterruin

Alvastra Klosterruin, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Located at 25km from Vadstena, Alvastra was home of the largest monastery in Sweden.Alvastra Monastery was founded by Cistercian French monks in 1143 and was the first of this order built in Scadinavia.The core of the monastery was the church build of limestone from Omberg... 

The harbor

The harbor, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  I've always loved the small harbors with colorful boats and blue water and Vadstena harbor is one of the most picturesque I've ever seen.It was a real delight to walk along the shore of Lake Vattern from the Abbey Church to the Castle and enjoy this wonderful view. 

Vadstena Castle - courtyard

Vadstena Castle - courtyard, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  The castle was very modern for the time when it was built, with 9m high walls, ramparts and a drawbridge.The wedding of Gustav Vasa and his third wife, Katarina Stenbock in 1552 was also celebrated in a wooden house built in the courtyard and he also used this house as... 

The Abbey Church old altarpiece

The Abbey Church old altarpiece, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  The old altarpiece, which can be found behind the altar, is without any doubt another treasure of the Abbey Church.This triptych is made of painted wood and, although it was badly damaged during the years, the beauty of the representations is evident. See more in my Details... 

Lake Vattern

Lake Vattern, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Vadstena is situated on the shores of Lake Vattern, Sweden's second largest lake after Lake Vanern.With an average depth of 38m the lake is known for its rough waters and often strong winds. 

Vadstena Castle

Vadstena Castle, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  The building of the castle began in 1545 and it was not finished before 1620.Built initially as a fortress by king Gustav Vasa, it was transformed into a castle in 1555 by king Johan III, son of Gustav Vasa.During the years members of the royal family lived here but around... 

The tombs

The tombs, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  The tombs inside the church belong only to rich people who had enough money to buy a place. Most of them were noblemen, craftsmen or priests.Inside the church there is also the coffin of Gustav Wasa's son, Duke Magnus. 

The Abbey Church of Vadstena features

The Abbey Church of Vadstena features, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Birgitta gave accurate instructions regarding the building of the church and one of these was related to the decoration. She didn't think that the abbey should be decorated. It seems that one of the few exceptions is the decorative paintings of the arches, found during the... 

The Abbey Church altarpiece

The Abbey Church altarpiece, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  The abbey of Vadstena had great treasures received from kings and queens. Some of these treasures are still kept in the church and one is definitely the altarpiece together with the triumphal crucifix, one of the most beautiful in Sweden. 

Hotels  

Vadstena Klosterhotel

 18 Opinions

Nightlife  

På Hörnet: The only real pub in this city
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Chibibotto 2 reviews

This is the place for all the students of the Folk-high school to hang out, so if you visit this place on wedensday, friday or saturday, you can be sure to find people of various age from 18 to 35 haning on that bar or in disscustion in some corner of this very small but cossy pub.

Dress Code: anything, well except for birthsuit

Written Feb 26, 2006

Address: På Hörnet. Motalagatan 1. 592 21 Vadstena

Phone: 0143-13170

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Off The Beaten Path  

Vadstena flowers

Vadstena flowers, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Vadstena is definitely a green city. There is a lot of vegetation, trees, flowers...Almost of the houses have a little green garden and the central park is a real delight.I couldn't stop taking a lot of pictures of the flowers around the Castle and you can see come of these... 

Vadstena catwalk

Vadstena catwalk, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  And this is another example to confirm my theory that Vadstena is not a conventional place after all.What do you think about this beautiful lady who?s having her beauty walk around the Castle? 

Ready for a ride?

Ready for a ride?, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  It looked like a car but I was not pretty sure about it.In spite of everything, Vadstena could be a traditional place but is indubitable not that conventional. 

A walk around

A walk around, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  This is, without any doubt, a must in Vadstena, as it is the perfect way to enjoy the town's idyllic medieval atmosphere.The narrow streets in town are surrounded by beautiful wooden houses, some of them dating from the 16th century when only rich people could afford to live... 

Stained glass windows

Stained glass windows, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Together with the old statues and altarpieces, the stained glass windows are among the few adornments in the church.There are particular beautiful representations of St. Birgitta on the stained glass windows. 

Glass religious exhibition

Glass religious exhibition, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Inside the church on the right side we have found an interesting exhibition of glass objects decorated with religious symbols.On one of them was painted the symbol of the Pilgrims center in Vadstena. 

Favorites  

Birgitta as a Patron Saint

Birgitta as a Patron Saint, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  In 1999, John Paul II appointed Saint Birgitta as one of the Patron Saints of Europe.She shares this honor with two other saints: Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresia Benedicta of the Cross.The news of the proclamation was in a certain way a surprise, as Sweden is a... 

Mass in the Abbey Church

Mass in the Abbey Church, Vadstena

 Diana75 Says:  Once there used to be around 60 altars in the church but during the years most of them disappeared.The groups of pilgrims accompanied by a priest coming to Vadstena sanctuary can also arrange to hold a mass in the Abbey Church. 

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Map of Vadstena