Thought to have been founded around the mid-13th century, the Sweden's third largest city (pop. around 352,000) still preserves a delightful medieval core called the Gamla Stoden, anchored by this, its oldest square, built in 1540. Buildings here include the old 16th-century city hall; the also 16th-century palace of a powerful mayor; and the 17th-century seat of the provincial government.

Christian Beiwinkel