Vegaøyan - The Vega Archipelago - is a group of islands in the Norwegian Sea corresponding roughly to the municipality of Vega. Since 2004, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Vegaøyan - The Vega Archipelago). This cluster of around 6,500 small islands in Nordland county, just south of the Arctic circle, surrounds the main island of Vega and has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The islands bear testimony to a distinctive frugal way of life based on fishing and the harvesting of the down of eider ducks, in an inhospitable environment. There are fishing villages, quays, eider houses (built for eider ducks to nest), farmland, and lighthouses. There is evidence of human settlement from the Stone Age onwards. By the 9th century, the islands had become an important centre for the supply of down, which appears to have accounted for around a third of the islanders' income. The Vega archipelago reflects the way generations of fishermen/farmers have, over the past 1500 years, maintained a sustainable living in an inhospitable seascape near the Arctic Circle, based on the now unique practice of eider down harvesting, and it also celebrate the contribution made by women to the eider down process. Access to the archipelago is by ferry or fast boat from the town of Brønnøysund in the municipality of Brønnøy, which can be reached by plane or by road... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Bohus Fortress (also known as Baahus or Båhus, originally: Bagahus) lies along the old Norwegian–Swedish border in Kungälv, Bohuslän, Sweden, north east from Hisingen where the Göta river splits into two branches (20 km (12 mi) north of Gothenburg). It commands the surrounding area from a cliff 40 m (130 ft) high, with the river forming a natural moat around it. The construction of Bohus Fortress (Norwegian: Båhus festning, Swedish: Bohus fästning) began in 1308 under King Haakon V Magnuson, king of Norway from 1299 to 1319. Håkon V also initiated construction of Norwegian fortresses at Akershus and Vardøhus as part of a broader defensive policy. At the time Bohuslän (Båhuslen) was Norwegian territory and served as the main Norwegian defence against Sweden, along the coast as well as the strong point for the Bohuslän region from 1308 to 1658. The fortress was attacked or besieged 14 times, but was never captured. During the Northern Seven Years' War, in 1563-1570, it was seriously damaged. This occurred in 1566, when 250 Swedish soldiers successfully stormed the northeastern-most tower. The Norwegian commander sent in a volunteer to blow up the ammunition stores underneath the tower, killing the Swedes and repelling the attack. As a reward the family of the volunteer got a piece of land which is still owned by the descendants of this volunteer. The Norwegians rebuilt the fortress of stone and brick, and reinforced it substantially. The reconstruction immediately after the war was directed by Hans Paaske (Påske) from the Netherlands. At the end of the 18th century it was decided that the now unused fortress should be demolished. Demolition crews worked at the fortress for two months, after that the money allocated for the job had run out. Residents of the nearby town of Kungälv used the dressed stone from the fortress to build houses. However, much of the fortress is still intact, including the large northern tower, Fars hatt ("Father's hat"). As of 2015, the fortress is a museum open to visitors during summer... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Urnes Stave Church (Norwegian: Urnes stavkyrkje) is a 12th-century stave church at Ornes, along the Lustrafjorden in the municipality of Luster in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. It sits on the eastern side of the fjord, directly across the fjord from the village of Solvorn and about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of the village of Hafslo. It has been owned by Fortidsminneforeningen (Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments) since 1881. In 1979, the Urnes Stave Church was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The church was built around 1130 or shortly thereafter, and still stands in its original location; it is believed to be the oldest of its kind. It provides a link between Christian architecture and the architecture and artforms of the Viking Age with typical animal-ornamentation, the so-called "Urnes style" of animal-art. Archaeological investigations have discovered the remains of three churches on the site prior to the current building. The excavations uncovered holes in the ground from earth-bound posts which had belonged to an early post church, a type of church with walls supported by short sills inserted between free-standing posts. It is not known if this church had a raised roof above the central space of the nave like the present church. The earliest possible dating of this church is the early eleventh century. In the 17th century the nave of the church, which is a raised central room surrounded by an aisle, was extended southwards. Other elements were also added to the church, including a baptismal font (1640), a wooden canopy above the altar (1665) and a pulpit (1693–1695). The altarpiece, which depicts Christ on the cross with the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, dates from 1699. Windows were added to the church in the 18th century. The church has not been in ordinary use since 1881, when the parish of Urnes was abolished, and it became a part of Solvorn parish in the Indre Sogn deanery of the Diocese of Bjørgvin. It is now only used for special occasions in the parish such as baptisms and weddings... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Vaxholm Fortress (Swedish: Vaxholms fästning) is a historic fortification on an island in the Stockholm archipelago just east of the Swedish village of Vaxholm. In 1970, it was used as a movie location for the pirate stronghold in Pippi in the South Seas. A scenic view of the castle may be seen from the car ferry which plies the short distance between Vaxholm and the island Rindö. The fortress was originally constructed by Gustav Vasa in 1544 to defend Stockholm against shipborne attacks from the east, but most of the current structure dates from 1833-1863. Russian prisoners-of-war were used in part to build the fortress. The stretch of water below the building was formerly the main sea route to Stockholm. Thus, the fortress was strategically situated to defend the city from naval attacks. The Danes attacked it in 1612 and the Russian navy in 1719. Since the mid 19th century, its military importance has ceased. So weak had the fort become that it was said the great Prussian Field Marshal von Moltke was only ever seen to smile twice. Once when they told him his mother-in-law was dead and again when he saw Vaxholm Fort. Today, it is home to the Swedish National Museum of Coastal Defence... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Skogskyrkogården (official name in English: The Woodland Cemetery) is a cemetery located in the Enskededalen district south of central Stockholm, Sweden. Its design, by Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz, reflects the development of architecture from Nordic Classicism to mature functionalism. Skogskyrkogården came about following an international competition in 1915 for the design of a new cemetery in Enskede in the southern part of Stockholm, Sweden. The entry called "Tallum" by the young architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz was selected. After changes made to the design on the recommendations of the competition jury, work began in 1917 on land that had been old gravel quarries that were overgrown with pine trees, and the first phase was completed three years later. The architects' use of the natural landscape created an extraordinary environment of tranquil beauty that had a profound influence on cemetery design throughout the world. Essential models for the design of the cemetery were the German forest cemeteries of Friedhof Ohlsdorf at Hamburg and Waldfriedhof in Munich but also the neoclassical paintings of Caspar David Friedrich. In 1994, Skogskyrkogården was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and although it does not have the number of famous interments as the Norra begravningsplatsen, its much older counterpart in northern Stockholm, it is a major tourist attraction. At the Tallum Pavilion (a building designed originally by Asplund as staff facilities), visitors can see an exhibition about the cemetery and the story of its origins and the two architects whose vision created it... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Gamla stan (Swedish: The Old Town), until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna (The Town between the Bridges), is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. Officially, but not colloquially, Gamla stan includes the surrounding islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen, and Strömsborg. The town dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. North German architecture has had a strong influence in the Old Town's construction. Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the centre of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchants' houses including the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building. The square was the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath, where Swedish noblemen were massacred by the Danish King Christian II in November, 1520. The following revolt and civil war led to the dissolution of the Kalmar Union and the subsequent election of King Gustav I. As well as being home to the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, and the Riddarholm church, Gamla stan also boasts Kungliga slottet, Sweden's baroque Royal Palace, built in the 18th century after the previous palace Tre Kronor burned down. The House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) is on the north-western corner of Gamla stan. The restaurant Den gyldene freden is located on Österlånggatan. It has been in business since 1722 and according to the Guinness Book of Records is the oldest existing restaurant with an unaltered interior. A statue of St. George and the Dragon (sculpted by Bernt Notke) can be found in the Stockholm Cathedral, while Riddarholmskyrkan is the royal burial church. Bollhustäppan, a small courtyard at Slottsbacken behind the Finnish Church, just south of the main approach to the Royal Palace, is home to one of the smallest statues in Sweden, a little boy in wrought iron. The plaque just below the statue says its name "Järnpojken" ("The Iron Boy"). It was created by Liss Eriksson in 1967. From the mid-19th century to the early-mid 20th century Gamla stan was considered a slum, many of its historical buildings left in disrepair, and just after World War II, several blocks together five alleys were demolished for the enlargement of the Riksdag (see Brantingtorget). From the 1970s and 80s, however, it has become a tourist attraction as the charm of its medieval, Renaissance architecture and later additions have been valued by later generations. While the archaeology of the 370 properties in Gamla stan remains poorly documented, recent inventories done by volunteers have shown many buildings previously dated to the 17th and 18th centuries, can be up to 300 years older... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Porkeri Church is a church in the settlement of Porkeri in the Faroe Islands. Porkeri is situated in the island Suðuroy, which is the southernmost of the islands. It is a wooden church and it has a roof of turf. The church is from 1847 and contains things donated by seamen who survived lethal storms on the sea, maintaining the tradition of almissu (seamen in danger promised - according to Nordic tradition - to donate churches, the material or such to God if they got back home alive)... more on...

Högbonden is a Swedish island and lighthouse located in the World Heritage Site Höga kusten. From springtime in May through October a hostel is open to visitors in the old lightkeeper's house. In the summer season there is regular daily boat service from Bönhamn to Högbonden. The whole island is a nature reserve. The Högbonden Lighthouse was built after complaints that there were no lighthouses between Lungö and Skagsudde. It is the second-highest placed lighthouse in Sweden (after Kullen Lighthouse), and it was also one of the most powerful. In November 2010 the old lens was finally retired and the power source changed to solar cell-power. The light now consists of a small white light on the balcony's railing and the red and green sectors were removed. As of 2012 the tower is in bad condition and in need of repairs. It is owned by the Swedish Maritime Administration... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Kirkjubøargarður (Faroese for Yard of Kirkjubøur, also known as King's Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world, if not the oldest. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse of Kirkjubøur dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history. The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the "Sheep Letter" here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm's library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

The Nordic Museum (Swedish: Nordiska museet) is a museum located on Djurgården, an island in central Stockholm, Sweden, dedicated to the cultural history and ethnography of Sweden from the early modern period (in Swedish history, it is said to begin in 1520) to the contemporary period. The museum was founded in the late 19th century by Artur Hazelius, who also founded the open-air museum Skansen. For long part of the museum, the institutions were made independent of each other in 1963. The museum was originally (1873) called the Scandinavian Ethnographic Collection (Skandinavisk-etnografiska samlingen), from 1880 the Nordic Museum (Nordiska Museum, now Nordiska museet). When Hazelius established the open-air museum Skansen in 1891, it was the second such museum in the world. For museum, Hazelius bought or got donations of objects like furniture, clothes andtoys from all over Sweden and the other Nordic countries; he emphasised the peasant culture, but his successors increasingly started to collect objects reflecting bourgeois and urban lifestyles as well. For Skansen, he collected entire buildings and farms. Although the project did not initially get the government funding he had hoped, Hazelius received widespread support and donations, and by 1898, the Society for the promotion of the Nordic Museum (Samfundet för Nordiska Museets främjande) had 4,525 members. The Riksdag allocated some money for the museums in 1891 and doubled the amount in 1900, the year before Hazelius died... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Hvalsey Church (Danish: Hvalsø Kirke) was a church in the abandoned Greenlandic Norse settlement of Hvalsey (now modern-day Qaqortoq). The best preserved Norse ruins in Greenland, the Church was also the location of the last written record of the Greenlandic Norse, a wedding in September 1408. According to the sagas, the land around Hvalsey was claimed by Thorkell Farserk, a cousin or uncle of Erik the Red. Christianity arrived in Greenland around the year 1000 and churches began to be built in the country. It is thought that Hvalsey Church was built in the early 14th century, but archaeological finds hint that this was not the first church in this site. The church is mentioned in several late medieval documents as one of the 10-14 parish churches in the Eastern Settlement. The Church hosted the wedding of Thorstein Olafsson and Sigrid Björnsdóttir on either 14 or 16 September 1408. The wedding was mentioned in letters from a priest at Garðar and by several Icelanders, and is the last written record of the Greenlandic Norse. The married couple later settled in Olafsson's native Iceland. In the Eskimo tradition, there is a legend about Hvalsey. According this legend, there was open war between the Norse chief Ungortoq and the Eskimo leader K'aissape. The Eskimos made a massive attack on Hvalsey and burned down the Norse inside their houses, but Ungortoq escaped with his family. K'aissape conquered him after a long pursuit, which ended near Kap Farvel. However, according to archaeological studies, there is no sign of a conflagration. The site is now part of a sheep farm... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Svenska Högarna (en: The Swedish Hillocks) is a small group of islands and a lighthouse located east of Möja in the Stockholm archipelago. The Svenska Högarna lighthouse is located on the largest island Storön, and is the only lighthouse in Stockholm archipelago with the classic iron design of architect Nils Gustaf von Heidenstam. Before the lighthouse was built there had been a checkered day beacon on the island, it is now located at the island of Storkläppen in Östergötland. Svenska Högarna lighthouse was lit in 1874 with a colza oil lamp. In 1887 a paraffin lamp was installed, in 1966 it was electrified and in 1986 solar cells were put in use to generate power. The island is staffed with a weather station. It is frequently reported as a wind observation station in the Shipping Forecast of the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. Since 1994 the lighthouse is owned by a foundation called "Edward Sjöbloms stiftelse". All of the islands are a nature reserve with sparse vegetation. On the islands you can also observe two giant's kettles. There is no scheduled traffic to Svenska Högarna. Access is by own boat or taxiboat. The isolated islands are not easy to reach: the weather must be very calm in order to moor boats safely to the rocky shores... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Utklippan is a Swedish lighthouse and the name of two small islands, Södraskär (South skerry) and Norraskär (North skerry). It has been a light station since 1789 when a basket light was in use. The current tower (built in 1870) replaced an older tower built in 1840 on top of an old fortress. The flame ran on colza oil. In 1887 the colza oil lamp was replaced with a kerosene lamp. It has been powered electrically since 1948. The Swedish Maritime Administration owns the Utklippan Lighthouse....

Understen is a Swedish island and lighthouse station located in South Kvarken, east of Öregrund at the northern tip of sea of Åland in Sweden. The first day beacon on the island was built in the 18th century. The first lighthouse was built in 1848, and lit in November that year with a colza oil lamp. In 1880 a kerosene lamp was added but the lighthouse was considered too short (13 metres) and weak, and plans for the construction of a more powerful tower started. In 1916 the new much higher tower was completed and fitted with a powerful rotating Fresnel lens in 1922. The old tower was not demolished and survives to this day, but its light equipment was removed. The keepers left their job in 1968, after the tower was automated in 1966. The island has been used as a station for the Swedish military due to its strategic location in the sea, and was staffed by military personnel in 1975-1996. On the island is also an observation tower built by the military. That tower is today fitted with remote controlled cameras observing the sea traffic in the area. The lighthouse remains in use and is still powered with electric cable and 1000 watt bulbs. It is owned by the Swedish Maritime Administration, and remote controlled from their headquarters in Norrköping. For many years, to visit the island permission had to be granted by the Swedish marine, but it is uncertain if this is valid nowadays (2010). The island can be observed on a distant view to the north from the ferries traveling between Grisslehamn and Ekerö on Åland. SMA has confirmed that many Russian and Swedish mines dating from the first and second world war may still lie on the sea buttom east of the light station, making anchoring or diving dangerous in the area... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Nuuk Art Museum (Danish: Nuuk Kunstmuseum) is a national museum in Greenland, located in Nuuk, the capital. The museum contains a notable collection of paintings, watercolors, drawings, graphics, figures in soapstone, ivory, and wood, with many items collected by the businessman Svend Junge. Of particular note is a collection of over 150 paintings by Emanuel A. Petersen. The museum was founded on 22 May 2005, occupying a former Seventh-day Adventist Church building in Kissarneqqortuunnguaq, Nuuk. The museum was donated to the citizens of the Municipality of Nuuk on the same day. The art museum was completed and inaugurated on 21 June 2007, Greenland National Day... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Engelsberg Ironworks (Swedish: Engelsbergs bruk) is an ironworks in Ängelsberg, a village in Fagersta Municipality in Västmanland, Sweden. It was built in 1681 by Per Larsson Gyllenhöök (1645-1706) and developed into one of the world's most modern ironworks in the period 1700-1800. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1993. Engelsberg Ironworks is named after Englika. Englika, who was born in Germany, began producing iron in Engelsberg in the 14th century. The history of iron production in the region dates back to at least 13th century. The local peasants both mined the ore and produced the iron using primitive furnaces. In the end of the 16th century more modern production methods were introduced in Engelsberg and production volumes increased substantially in the following decades. The preserved buildings include a manor house, the inspector’s house and the smelting house with a blast furnace. Engelsberg Ironworks is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Engelsberg Ironworks). It was added to the list in 1993... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Falun Mine (Swedish: Falu Gruva) was a mine in Falun, Sweden, that operated for a millennium from the 10th century to 1992. It produced as much as two thirds of Europe's copper needs and helped fund many of Sweden's wars in the 17th century. Technological developments at the mine had a profound influence on mining globally for two centuries. The mine is now a museum and in 2001 was designated a UNESCO world heritage site (Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun). There are no written accounts establishing exactly when mining operations at Falun Mine began. Archaeological and geological studies indicate, with considerable uncertainty, that mining operations started sometime around the year 1000. The mine was definitely operating by 1080, but no significant activities had begun before 850. Objects from the 10th century have been found containing copper from the mine. In the beginning, operations were of a small scale, with local farmers gathering ore, smelting it, and using the metal for household needs. Around the time of Magnus III, king of Sweden from 1275 to 1290, a more professional operation began to take place. Nobles and foreign merchants from Lübeck had taken over from farmers. The merchants transported and sold the copper in Europe but also influenced the operations and developed the methods and technology used for mining. The first written document about the mine is from 1288; it records that, in exchange for an estate, the Bishop of Västerås acquired a 12.5% interest in the mine. By the mid 14th century, the mine had grown into a vital national resource, and a large part of the revenues for the Swedish state in the coming centuries would be from the mine. The then king, Magnus IV, visited the area personally and drafted a charter for mining operations, ensuring the financial interest of the sovereign... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

North Cape (Norwegian: Nordkapp; Northern Sami: Davvenjárga) is a cape on the northern coast of the island of Magerøya in Northern Norway. The cape is in Nordkapp Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The European route E69 highway has its northern terminus at North Cape, since it is a popular tourist attraction. The cape includes a 307-metre (1,007 ft) high cliff with a large flat plateau on top where visitors can stand and watch the midnight sun or the views of the Barents Sea to the north. A new visitor centre was built in 1988 on the plateau with panoramic views, a café, restaurant, post office, souvenir shop, and a so-called super video cinema. The North Cape (Norway) is reached by European route E69 highway through the North Cape Tunnel, an undersea tunnel connecting the island of Magerøya to the mainland. The EuroVelo bicycle route EV1 runs from North Cape to Sagres, Portugal - a 8,196 kilometres (5,093 mi) distance by land and sea. Regular buses run from the nearby town of Honningsvåg to the North Cape (36 kilometres (22 mi)), and coaches meet the many cruise ships that call at the port of Honningsvåg. The nearest airport is Honningsvåg Airport, Valan (IATA code: HVG). During winter season, it is also possible to visit North Cape, however the last stretch of road is only open for convoy driving at fixed hours. The road all the way through Norway up to North Cape is kept open during winter and is accessible to regular vehicles with some specific winter precautions being required to deal with the hard snow and wind conditions that may occur in winter. Before this, E69 was the only winter closed E road in Europe... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Welcome to one of the world’s coolest stays welcome to the Jumbo Hostel! Here you can spend the night onboard a real jumbo jet – on the ground! Our different room categories can accommodate one to three adults in comfort as well as a quad dormitory bed option. A few rooms have a private wc and shower, otherwise access to separate, shared shower and toilet facilities. We also offer a luxury suite in the converted cockpit with a panoramic view of the airport. At Jumbo Hostel you´re guaranteed a unique and outstanding experience at a reasonable price. From the mid of January 2009 can guests for the first time ever, be able to spend the night in a real, seasoned jumbo jet - on the ground. This is the perfect way to start your trip abroad. The plane is a used out jumbo jet model 747-212B made in 1976. It has been awarded a brand new, modern interior decoration, offering night guests an experience apart. It’s exciting for aviation enthusiasts and families with children as well as for business people. This exhilarating experience leaves no-one indifferent - we promise.

Visby is a locality and the seat of Gotland Municipality in Gotland County, on the island of Gotland, Sweden with 23,880 inhabitants, as of 2014. Visby is also the episcopal see for the Diocese of Visby. The Hanseatic city of Visby is arguably the best-preserved medieval city in Scandinavia and since 1995, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site (Hanseatic Town of Visby) list. Among the most notable historical remains are the 3.4 km (2.1 mi) long town wall that encircles the town center, and a number of church ruins. Visby is a popular vacation destination for Scandinavians during the summer and receives thousands of tourists every year. It is by far the most populated locality outside the Swedish mainland. The University of Gotland is in Visby, and since 1 July 2013, it is a department of Uppsala University under the name Uppsala university–Campus Gotland. Visby is also the sole county seat in Sweden only accessible by boat and air. The name "Visby" comes from the Old Norse Vis, (genitive singular of Vi) meaning "(pagan) place of sacrifices", and by, meaning "village". In the Gutasagan (mid 14th century) the place is referred to as just Wi meaning "holy place, place of worship". Visby is sometimes called "The City of Roses" or "The City of Ruins". The earliest history of Visby is uncertain, but it is known to have been a centre of merchandise around 900 AD. It was inhabited as early as the Stone Age, probably because of the access to fresh water and a natural harbour. In the 12th century, Visby Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary, was constructed. It was reshaped in the 13th century to its current appearance, and was officially opened in 1225, by the bishop of the Swedish city of Linköping. Several other churches were also constructed in the ensuing centuries. The city flourished, thanks to the German Hanseatic League... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Hovgården is an archaeological site on the Lake Mälaren island of Adelsö in Ekerö Municipality in central-eastern Sweden. During the Viking Age, the centre of the prospering Mälaren Valley was the settlement Birka, founded in the mid-8th century and abandoned in the late 10th century and located on the island Björkö just south of Adelsö. Hovgården is believed to have been the site from which kings and chieftains ruled the area. Hovgården, together with Birka became a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Birka and Hovgården) in 1993. Hovgården is located on the flat country north-west of the Romanesque Adelsö Church, characterised by a narrow rift valley stretching north to forest-laden moraines. These historical meadows lands were cultivated in the 19th century and have hardly been altered since, as several well-preserved 18th century farmyards bares witness of. The oldest archaeological remains on Adelsö, found north of Hovgården, are grave fields and burial mounds from the Bronze Age (c. 1800-500 BCE). Apparently this culture survived into the Iron Age (500-800 CE) as graves from the early part of this period have been found at several locations in the area. At Hovgården some 124 graves have been found; the oldest from late Roman Iron Age (1-400 CE) and the youngest from the beginning of the Middle Ages (c. 1050-1520), indicating the area has been settled uninterruptedly throughout this period. Just north of the parish church are five large burial mounds of which three are called Kungshögar. In Swedish, Kung meaning King and högar, from the Old Norse word haugr, meaning mound or barrow. Hovgården apparently was the location for a royal estate Kungsgård as early as the Viking Age (c. 800-1050 CE). An excavation of one of these royal mounds in 1917 revealed the remains of a wealthy man who lived around 900 CE. He was burned lying in a boat, dressed in expensive clothing but without weapons, accompanied by horses, cows, and dogs... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

The Laponian area is a large mountainous wildlife area in the Lapland province in northern Sweden, more precisely in Gällivare Municipality, Arjeplog Municipality and Jokkmokk Municipality. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996; the bulk of it had enjoyed protected status since the early 20th century. The total area is about 9,400 square kilometres (3,600 sq mi), making it the world's largest unmodified nature area to be still cultured by natives—the natives in this case being the reindeer herding Sami people also known as Lapps (though this term is considered derogatory). Only parts of the area is actually used for pasture by them. With such a large space, the geography of the area varies greatly; it is dominated by mountains, rivers and lakes. Each nature reserve and national park has its distinctive features. The amount of snow in winter and rain in summer is considerable. 95% of the area is protected as national parks or nature reserves. It consists of the national parks Muddus, Sarek, Padjelanta and Stora Sjöfallet, and the nature reserves Sjaunja and Stubba. The remaining 5% are located in the areas of Sulitelma, Tjuoltadalen, and Rapadalen (part of which is in the Sarek park). The village of Porjus is a natural point of entry to the Laponian area and has recently opened an information center. The Laponia area also contains three major hydropower stations with belonging basins and a big expansion of 100 wind power stations inside the world heritage area is planned. The highest mountain of the area is Sarektjåhkkå, at 2,089 metres (6,854 ft)... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Huvudskär, is a Swedish archipelago and lighthouse. For many hundred years this area was very important for fishermen. Huvudskär is a very popular destination for sea travellers and tourists. Many of the old cabins on the islands can be hired during summer season. Some of them are private property. In 1882 the first lighthouse was lit. This was placed on top of a keepers house made of wood. The lantern came from the deactivated lighthouse on Korsö. The light was a kerosene lamp. In 1931 the now standing tower was built and both the lantern and keepers house removed. The new tower first ran on acetylene gas, and later was electrified. In 1992 solar power was installed to the lighthouse. It is owned and remote-controlled by the Swedish Maritime Administration... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Långe Jan ("Tall John") is a Swedish lighthouse located at the south cape of Öland in the Baltic Sea, Sweden's second largest island. It is one of Sweden's most famous lighthouses along with Kullen, Vinga and Landsort, and also the tallest lighthouse in Sweden. Långe Jan lighthouse was built in 1785, probably by Russian prisoners of war. The tower was built of stone from an old chapel. Originally the light was an open fire, and the tower was unpainted. It was painted white in 1845, and the...

Skansen Kronan (Crown Sconce) is a redoubt in the district of Haga of Gothenburg, Sweden. Skansen Kronan was built in the later half of the 17th century according to the plans of Erik Dahlbergh. Skansen Kronan was introduced in 1698 and was fitted with 23 guns. The roof was not completed until 1700. Skansen has 4-5 metre thick walls made of granite, gneiss and diabase. Skansen Kronan was never attacked and the cannons on the inside have never been used. The fortress and the twin counterpart, Skansen Lejonet, were built as part of the defenses against possible Danish attack on Gothenburg from the south, and thus had a similar purpose as the Älvsborg fortress. The fortress - originally built outside the city walls - is today situated in the city centre of Gothenburg on a hill in the city district of Haga. It was used as a military museum until 2004. Today Skansen Kronan is a private facility for conferences and private parties... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Sandhammaren is a Swedish lighthouse, and the name of both a beach and a point east of Ystad in Scania. At first two identical lighthouses were constructed, because it was a risk to mistake this lighthouse with the one on Ertholmene. The flame first ran on colza oil. Later on (1891), one of the lighthouses was put out of service and moved to Pite-Rönnskär in Norrland, at the same time the lamp was transformed to a paraffin lamp. Sandhammaren Lighthouse was electrified in 1952. The Swedish Maritime Administration owns and runs the lighthouse... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

The Finnish Railway Museum is located in Hyvinkää, Finland. It was originally founded in 1898 and located in Helsinki. The museum was moved to Hyvinkää in 1974. The Finnish Railway Museum is on the original station and yard site of the Hanko–Hyvinkää railway. In addition to the station building, there is a roundhouse and several other preserved buildings, mainly from the 1870s. Unique objects are on display, including the only surviving imperial train of the Russian Emperor. The locomotives include the British Neilson and Company locomotive (0-6-0 No 1427) dating 1869, a British Beyer Peacock locomotive dating from 1868, and a 2-10-0 steam locomotive Tr2 1319 ALCO No 75214 built 1947, which is one of 20 Russian locomotive class Ye sold to Finland. The Finnish Railway Museum also has a live steam backyard railroad track, where train rides are offered to the public during special run days in the summer months... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Ursholmen is a Swedish island and lighthouse located west of Strömstad town. It is the westernmost lighthouse in Sweden. In 1891 two identical lighthouses were built on the island to replace two lighthouses on Nordkoster. It was the first time in Sweden lighthouses were built in concrete. In 1931 the north tower was deactivated and its lantern room removed, but the tower remains. In 1965 the south tower was electrified and automated. In 2000 solar cells was installed and the electric cable...

Tinganes is the historic location of the Faroese landsstýri (government), and is a part of Tórshavn. The name means "parliament jetty" or "parliament point" in Faroese. The parliament met there for the first time in the Viking ages when Norwegian colonists placed their Ting (parliament) on the location in 825. It is one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world, along with Tynwald hill in the Isle of Man and Þingvellir in Iceland. The Løgting has since moved to the north of...

Vestmanna Camping started in 2012. From the beginning travellers from abroad and Faroese campers have been frequent visitors. In the summer we try to accommodate all foreign travellers, while in the winter (september-mai) the campsite is fully occupied by Faroese campers (mainly due to the good... #Campsite

Fårö Lighthouse (Swedish: Fårö fyr) is a Swedish lighthouse located on the easternmost tip of Fårö. In the 19th century there had been many complaints from sea authorities that the coastlines on Gotland had very few lighthouses. So the decision was made to build one on the north side of Gotland. This lighthouse was constructed one year after the one on Hoburgen at the south tip of Gotland. The light ran on a colza oil lamp at first. In 1882 a paraffin lamp replaced the old one, and in 1953 it was electrified. From 1891 to 1976 the tower had a first-order Fresnel lens installed in its lantern which made the lighthouse very powerful. It is remote-controlled since 1976 and owned by the Swedish Maritime Administration... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

The Stockholm Observatory (Swedish: Stockholms observatorium) is an astronomical institution in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in the 18th century and today part of Stockholm University. Its history is connected to two actual historical observatory complexes in the Stockholm area. The first observatory was established by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on the initiative of its secretary Per Elvius. Construction, according to designs by the architect Carl Hårleman, begun in 1748 and the building was completed in 1753. It is situated on a hill in a park nowadays named Observatorielunden. The first head of the observatory was Pehr Wilhelm Wargentin. Later heads of the observatory include Hugo Gyldén and Bertil Lindblad. This 18th-century observatory today functions as a museum. A newer observatory was built in Saltsjöbaden outside Stockholm and completed in 1931 (the architect this time being Axel Anderberg). More recent astronomical observations, however, are almost exclusively being done in observatories outside Sweden and closer to the equator. The research institute was transferred from the Academy to the university in 1973 and is since 2001 housed in the AlbaNova University Centre. The young Hjalmar Branting, later the first social democratic prime minister of Sweden, was employed as a mathematics assistant at the Stockholm Observatory 1879-1880 and 1882-1883. The Observatory Museum is closed since 2014, however efforts are underway to restart activities... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

The High Coast (Swedish: Höga kusten) is a part of the coast of Sweden on the Gulf of Bothnia, in the municipalities of Kramfors, Härnösand and Örnsköldsvik and notable as a type area for research on post-glacial rebound and eustacy, in which the land rises as the weight of the glaciers melts off of it. This phenomenon was first recognised and studied there; since the last ice age the land has risen 800 m, which accounts for the unusual landscape with tall cliff formations. The High Coast...

Skansin (literally: the jump) is a historic fortress in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. Skansin is located on a hill beside the port of Tórshavn. Skansin Fortress was built in 1580 by Magnus Heinason to protect against pirate raids of the town, after he himself was nearly caught up in one such raid. The fort was expanded considerably in 1780 and went through a series of rebuilds for many years afterwards. During the Second World War the fort served Britain as a military base. Two 5.5 inch guns date from the British occupation, standing along with many older Danish cannons... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Funninger Church, in the village of Funningur, is one of the 10 old wooden churches in the Faroe Islands. It was inaugurated on 30 November 1847 and is for that reason the newest of the old traditional wooden churches. Porkeri Church was also inaugurated in 1847 but a few months beforehand. Funningur Church is the only wooden church and the oldest church in the Eiði parish. Until 1929, when the Gjógv Church was inaugurated, it was the parish church for both the villages of Funningur and Gjógv. The spot where the church stands is called Niðri í Hólma ("down on the islet"). Nowadays the area is no longer like an islet, as the River Stórá runs from the north of the church and flows below it. The river also separates the church from the new cemetery, which was inaugurated in 1941 and expanded in 1972. The church has 10 pews on the men's side and 9 on the women's side. The pulpit is in front of the foremost of the women's pews... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

The Statue of Hans Egede is a prominent monument in Nuuk, Greenland. It commemorates the Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary Hans Egede who founded Nuuk in 1728. The statue lies on a hill near the shore above Nuuk Cathedral in the historical Old Nuuk area of the city. A duplicate statue by August Saabye stands outside Frederik's Church (Marmorkirken) in Copenhagen... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde (Swedish: "Cape of Waldemar"), is a museum located on Djurgården in central Stockholm. The name is composed of Waldemar, an Old German noble male name, and udde, meaning cape. It is derived from a historical name of the island Djurgården, Valmundsö (see History of Djurgården.) It was the former home of the Swedish Prince Eugen, who discovered the place in 1892, when he rented a house there for a few days. Seven years later he bought the premises and had a new house designed by the architect Ferdinand Boberg, who also designed Rosenbad (the Prime Minister's Office and the Government Chancellery), and erected 1903-1904. Prince Eugen had been educated as a painter in Paris and after his death the house was converted to a museum of his own and others paintings. The prince died in 1947 and is buried by the beach close to the house. The complex consists of a castle-like main building - the Mansion - completed in 1905, and the Gallery Building, added in 1913. The estate also includes the original manor-house building, known as the Old House and an old linseed mill, both dating back to the 1780s. The estate is set in parkland which features centuries-old oak trees and reflects the prince's interest for gardening and flower arrangement. The Art Nouveau interior, including the tiled stoves, by Boberg are designed in a Gustavian style and makes good use of both the panoramic view of the inlet to Stockholm and the light resulting from the elevated location of the building... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Archipelago Hostel Old Town is located in the oldest part of ancient Stockholm in a genuine 17th century building in the historical part of the Scandinavian capital. All rooms have large windows overlooking the cobblestone covered alleys of the Old Town only a minute from the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, Skeppsbron and the ferry boats for the Royal Island of Djurgården. Slussen, Söder and lovely Lake Mälaren and the harbour are just around the corner. The area is filled with traditional boutiques, restaurants and bistros, genuine cafés and patisseries, bars and entertainment. All is evident on the cultural streets of the Nordic metropole. Bedding is required for all guests and must be displayed upon arrival in the Archipelago Hostel Old Town. A complete set of bed sheet, duvet cover, pillow case and towel will be provided for guests not beeing able to present their own. The charge is SEK 65. No sleeping bags are allowed in the Archipelago Hostel Old Town! There will be a penalty of SEK 1000 if bedding was not used.

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Svartklubben Lighthouse is a Swedish lighthouse located on a small island east of the island Singö in the province of Uppland. This massive lighthouse was constructed to carry a coal fire. In 1842 it was updated with a colza oil lamp and in 1849 parabolic mirrors were installed. In 1875 it was updated with a kerosene lamp, and in 1899 the current lens and lantern was installed. It got a gas mantle light in 1935, and was finally electrified and automated in 1961. The keeper's house is now sold as a private residence, but The Swedish Maritime Administration still owns and maintains the lighthouse. Svartklubben Lighthouse is a listed building in Sweden since 1935... more on Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Moderna Museet ("the Museum of Modern Art"), Stockholm, Sweden, is a state museum for modern and contemporary art located on the island of Skeppsholmen in central Stockholm, opened in 1958. In 2009, the museum opened a new branch in Malmö in the south of Sweden, Moderna Museet Malmö. The museum was opened in 9 May 1958. Its first manager was Pontus Hultén. On May 2010, Daniel Birnbaum became the new director of the museum. In 2009, the museum opened a new branch in the house previously known...