Goteborg, Baltic Port of Call and Canal Boat Hub

Art, Architecture and an Amusement Park in Sweden's Historic Seaport

Feb 10, 2009

In this city on the Baltic, a trio of museums, an opera house, a botanic garden, good shopping and one of Sweden's finest restaurants are all within walking distance.

Goteborg (sometimes translated to Gothenburg), on Sweden’s western coast, is filled with attractions little known to foreign tourists. Canal boat trips on the historic Gota Canal begin from its harbor. The canal, begun in 1607, connects a series of large lakes to create a shipping route overland to Stockholm, safe from Baltic storms.

Sights and Attractions

The streets of Goteborg’s old town are a pleasant mix of architectural styles from the 17th to 21st centuries. A trading center since Viking times, Goteborg was home of the East India Company of China trade fame, and its distinctive 1700s headquarters building is now the city museum. Just wandering its streets and admiring the Art Nouveau and earlier architecture is a pleasure. You can get Goteborg Passes, which give free admission to most museums and attractions, public transit and deep discounts on tours and cruises, at Göteborg Tourist Office, Kungsportplatsen 2.

Built in 1914, this striking church sits on a hilltop and is often used as a navigational aid by ships entering the harbor. In side its style is a wonderful combination of Art Nouveau and traditional Nordic themes. Look in particual for the carved angels and saints along the choir railing.

There is probably no finer collection of works by Nordic artists anywhere else in Scandinavia. The Museum’s collections include Edvard Munch, P S Kröyer, Carl Larsson, and Anders Zorn. One whole gallery, which includes works by Prince Eugen, is devoted to their ability to capture the qualities of nordic light. The museum’s Furstenberg Gallery shows early 20th century Nordic works, including sculpture and murals in a period setting. Sculptor Carl Milles is well represented. His Poseidon is in the fountain in front, and there are several more of his works in the Sculpture Hall.

This fascinating collection is the world’s largest museum of ships afloat. The assemblage of vessels here includes the world’s only surviving iron-clad monitor, as well as a destroyer, a cargo vessel, a submarine and a light ship. Located at Packhuskajen in the harbor, this is one of the most exciting collections of its type

Stadtmuseum (City Museum)

The city’s historical museum is situated in the 1760 East India Building. It was from this building that traders ventured to China and other Asian ports for tea,spices, silks, porcelain, furniture and other luxuries. This trade was the basis of the city’s wealth. The museum has collections of Viking relics that include stunning pieces of jewelry and the remains of a longboat.

The city is fortunate to have this Horticultural Society park in the middle of the city. London’s Crystal Palace was replicated when the founders built the Palm House. Wandering in the peaceful and well displayed formal flower gardens and in the Rosarium is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

When touring gets to be too much, the Liseberg is the place to go. It has all of the fun of Disney without the kitsch and I like it for its ethnic Swedish ambiance. It has all kinds of amusements rides including a roller coaster with a full loop. But this place has a lot more than rides, there are shops, a dance pavilion, music, live entertainment and restaurants to please any palate. During the holidays the options extend to skating and shopping in a huge holiday market.

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