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Gothenburg (or, in Swedish, Goteborg) is such a delightful city! It is Sweden’s second-largest after Stockholm. Gothenburg is the city council’s preferred city name in international communications, so we are using that. Since Sweden was neutral in WWII, the cities were spared the extensive bombing that other European cities experienced. So the Old Town, and ancient buildings, are largely intact.
Our hotel is in the city center, almost adjacent to the central train station, and the Old Town, called Haga, is just a 20-minute walk. On the weekend, Haga was jammed with people enjoying the sunshine and the offerings found in the many cafes. The temperature was around 56F (13C), but with the wind blowing, it felt wintry. The locals laughed at us and said – this is nothing like winter! In fact, some said it was unseasonably warm.
Haga was Gothenburg’s first suburb, dating to 1648. The buildings today are used as boutiques, restaurants, and cafes serving Fika, the cherished Swedish ritual coffee break with pastries, which you can enjoy several times a day if you wish, at any time. You take a break from the world and just concentrate on your coffee and goodies. By the way, we were a little perplexed about using the city’s trams to travel to this district, and once aboard, with two teen girls next to us, we asked if they spoke English? “Of course!” – they replied. Everyone, everywhere in Sweden, speaks English. Most shops and most advertising is in English, or at least in both Swedish and English.
Gothenburg has many parks. We wandered through Tradgardsforeningen, which gradually became Kungsparken. Both were spectacular, with spring flowers and romantic landscapes. The Central Canal runs through the parkland, adding to its lovely laziness.
There is a central city market that is touted in “Sights to See,” but we visited on an uncrowded weekday, and found it to be mostly meat vendors with a few restaurants. Usually, markets sell souvenirs and home goods, but we didn’t see anything like that. All in all, it was fun to walk around town and take photos. Everyone is very friendly and always willing to help, or answer questions.
Gothenburg’s Central Canal, with the Alfons Abergs Cultural Center on the left.
Thousands of tulips…
…surrounded this fountain. There are also some dainty daffodils mixed in with the tulips, but the tulips are so large, they overwhelm the daffodils.
Everything was in bloom.
Another view of the canal in the park. It feels very still, doesn’t it?
So pretty!
Gothenburg Cathedral (Lutheran). The cathedral was notable for its two giant round chandelier circles, which gives the space a modern look. We caught part of the Dress Rehearsal for Mozart’s Requiem, performed by the Huitfeldska Gymnasium (High School) Choir.
A small snippet of the Requiem – quite wonderful for high schoolers!
Outside the cathedral sits this 2015 statue by Tilda Lovell titled “Oracle.” She has been called “oddly terrifying.” Some people think if you sit on the rock on the left and gaze into her eyes, you will receive help with your problems.
The glass ceiling in the lobby of our hotel, Hotel Royal. It is the oldest hotel in Gothenburg, dating to 1852.
The Main Street in Haga is this one, Haga Nygata.
Hagakyrkan, Haga Church.
The windows of this restaurant make it almost look church-like.
One of Haga’s pretty squares.
Along the street, set up so that people could “shop” easier, several cafes displayed the day’s pastries outside.Most everything looks huge, right?
This was another cafe– doesn’t everything look huge? On the extreme left were blueberry scones that looked like rocks. On the right, below the meringue muffins, were blueberry rolls – cinnamon rolls with blueberries! Next to them are regular (huge!) cinnamon rolls.
Stora Saluhallen, The Market Hall. The Market was mostly filled with meat and sausage vendors, along with a few lunch spots.
As you can see, this shop is advertising moose, bear, reindeer, and sheep products. Mike tried some moose and bear salami – he said the moose was better.
A man with a notable jacket in the Market.
Anything loved – and a bit rag-tag – is always best.
The classiest trash can we have seen anywhere in the world.
Do you think Sneaky Steve sells sneakers? Nope – all kinds of shoes.
The stunning interior of Tavolo, an ItalianRestaurant.
Oh, yes – perfumes with the brand name COW – we saw bottles adorned with a picture of a cow. Wonder if she received any compensation for her image being used?
The Irish Embassy – is a bar and restaurant, of course!
Even construction scaffolding is decorated here.
These Campanula (little bells) flowers were being sold for about $13 per bunch. Really dainty and cute.
We ❤️ Gothenburg! These steps lead to the canal, and the area is called Lejontrappan (the Lion’s Steps). You can see the lions on the left and right.
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