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The Swedish city of Västerås is located at an intersection between land and water, more precisely at the geographical point where Lake Mälaren and the province of Västmanland meet. This economically exploited location made the industrial city at the mouth of the river with the largest inland port in northern Europe a logistics hub in Sweden. Today the city has about 130,000 inhabitants.
With over 1000 years, Västerås is one of the oldest Swedish settlements, which has been named a bishop’s seat and received city status since the 12th century. When a trading center was founded here at the time of the Vikings, it bore the descriptive name “Aros” (=estuary); for a closer determination, “Västra” (= west) was added in later times, which explains the current city name.
Västerås is located on the waterfront. The city likes to emphasize that it has the largest inland sea port in Sweden. There are even several ports – for goods and containers, for ferries to the archipelago in front of the city, as well as for sailing and motor boats. There are also many restaurants and outdoor terraces on the waterfront. When this part of Mälaren freezes over in winter, a 10 km long skating rink is kept free on the ice – similar to Luleå.
Cathedral church, burial mound and steam power plant
Västerås is best known for its cathedral church. Västerås Cathedral has three stars in the Michelin Guide. There is the marble tomb of Gustav Wasa’s eldest son Erik XIV on display, many art treasures and two medieval winged altars. In 2017, the church celebrated its 500th anniversary.
Also worth seeing is Anundshög. This is the highest burial mound in Sweden – 9 m high and 64 m in diameter. It is part of a large burial ground, which also includes two ship settlements. Because Anundshög is a much-visited excursion destination, there is a café here, the Café Anund.
I vilket län ligger Västerås?
Vad är Västerås mest känd för?
Vilka kändisar bor i Västerås?
Vad är speciellt med Västerås?
