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Karlskrona

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Karlskrona
Fredrikskyrkan in Karlskrona, at the market square
Fredrikskyrkan in Karlskrona, at the market square
Coat of arms of Karlskrona
Coat of arms
Map
CountrySweden
MunicipalityKarlskrona Municipality
CountyBlekinge County
ProvinceBlekinge
Charter1680
Area
[1]
 • Total
21.36 km2 (8.25 sq mi)
Population
 (2007-09-30)[1]
 • Total
62.318
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Naval Port of Karlskrona
UNESCO World Heritage Site
CriteriaCultural: ii, iv
Reference871
Inscription1998 (22nd Session)

Karlskrona is a city in south-eastern Sweden. It is the seat of Karlskrona Municipality and of Blekinge County. Karlskrona is known as Sweden's only baroque city and is host to Sweden's only remaining naval base.

Geography

The city centre is located on the islet of Trossö. The islet of Stumholmen was formerly property of the Navy and today it houses the National Naval Museum.

History

The city was founded in 1680 when the Royal Swedish Navy was relocated there. Its name is derived from King Charles XI of Sweden and means Charles's Crown.

Heliga Trefaldighetskyrkan (Holy Trinity Church), or Tyska Kyrkan (The German Church), also at the market square

The buildings that were built at the foundation of Karlskrona in the 17th and early 18th century are still standing. Fredrikskyrkan (The Frederick church) was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, who was influenced by European architecture. The foundation of that church were laid in 1720, and it was inaugurated in 1744. It differs from usual Swedish churches in its yellow color and its adornment.

The church Heliga Trefaldighetskyrkan (Church of Holy trinity), also called The German Church, was built between 1697-1709, following Tessin's drawings. It is likewise located at the market square in the centre core. The dome-shaped roof takes its influence from Italian architecture and is rarely seen on Swedish churches.

The third city church is the Karlskrona Admiralty Church (Amiralitetskyrkan). The church was built in 1685 in red-painted wood. Outside the church there is a well-known statue called "Rosenbom".

The shipyard in Karlskrona was established almost at the same time as the city. It was a necessity because of the heavy losses the Swedish Navy had suffered in 1689. In 1711, the shipyard was Sweden's largest industrial employer with 1,100 workers. In 1750, Karlskrona had about 10,000 inhabitants, a high number for a Swedish city at that time. The oldest dock, the Polhem dock, is cut in the cliff itself and is still in use today. It also got its name from Christopher Polhem ("The Swedish DaVinci", a man with several inventions still in use to day that originate from his designs).

The city has also kept its street structure since its foundation. Since the streets all follow a vertical/horizontal pattern the winds can blow freely from the ocean right into the heart of the city.

The naval installations there has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 1981 the Soviet submarine U137 stranded in the archipelago just outside Karlskrona. This triggered a serious situation between Sweden and the Soviet Union at the time. Despite speculation the incident was most likely caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

Today

The most important day in Karlskrona is the day before midsummers eve. On that day a big fair takes place and attracts tens of thousands to visit Karlskrona. The fair is called Lövmarknaden (The Leaf fair) and is very popular among the locals.

The main square of Karlskrona is the biggest in Scandinavia, and actually the second biggest in Europe, after the Red Square of Moscow.

Every year in late July/early August a popular festival called The Sail takes place in the harbor of Karlskrona. Usually it is a place where families go to have something to eat and drink, and perhaps watch the sailing boats lined up at the pier. During the sail, the seascouts of Karlskrona will row a boat carrying torches along the docks while playing the national anthems for the visiting ships.

Parishes

Education

See also

References

  1. ^ a b [1]
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56°11′N 15°39′E / 56.183°N 15.650°E / 56.183; 15.650

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