Vänersborg

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Vänersborg


image_caption =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Vänersborg Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Västra Götaland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Västergötland
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 11.57
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 21,672
population_density_km2 = 1873
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=58 |latm=23 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=12 |longm=19 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Vänersborg is a city (pop. 35,000) in Västergötland, Sweden and the seat of Vänersborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County. Until 1997 it was the capital of Älvsborg County, which was dissolved in 1998. The city is located on the southern shores of the Vänern lake.

History

Vänersborg was founded by citizens from Brätte, who moved there between 1642-1644. Vänersborg was formally confirmed the city status in Sweden in 1644. The remains of Brätte is still a popular attraction.

The names Vänersborg means "fortress at Vänern". It comes from the fortlet which was begun on in 1644 for protection.

The coat of arms is also from 1644, depicting a golden ship with two Swedish flags.

Around 1800, Vänersborg had a population of 1,500 inhabitants. After the inauguration of the canal at Trollhättan and the Göta älv, creating a waterway between Vänern and Gothenburg, its importance further grew.

In 1834, most of the city with its wooden houses burnt down. Thereafter it was rebuilt according to a check pattern.

From 1693 to 1999, Vänersborg was the capital of Älvsborg County, until the county was merged into Västra Götaland County.

Notability

The poet Birger Sjöberg (1885-1929) was born in Vänersborg. He wrote appreciative about Vänersborg, most notably in "Fridas bok" (1922), wherein the comparisment "Vänersborg -- little Paris" is found. The park in the northern part of Vänersborg, Skräckleparken, offers a picturesque view over lake Vänern, and therein also stands this statue of mentioned Frida.

References