Falköping
| Falköping | ||
|---|---|---|
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Trätorget (17 June 2006) | ||
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  Falköping | ||
| Coordinates: 58°10′30″N 13°33′11″E / 58.17500°N 13.55306°ECoordinates: 58°10′30″N 13°33′11″E / 58.17500°N 13.55306°E | ||
| Country | Sweden | |
| Province | Västergötland | |
| County | Västra Götaland County | |
| Municipality | Falköping Municipality | |
| Founded | 1200 | |
| Area[1] | ||
| • Total | 8.54 km2 (3.30 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 218 m (715 ft) | |
| Population (31 December 2010)[1] | ||
| • Total | 16,350 | |
| • Density | 1,915/km2 (4,960/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 521 xx | |
| Area code(s) | (+46) 515 | |
| Website | Official website | |
Falköping is a locality and the seat of Falköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 16,350 inhabitants in 2010.[1]
History
The city of Falköping was first spoken of in the Rimbegla-document (around 1100 A.D.) which is a part of the Westrogothic law (sv. Västgötalagen). It was also an important site of pilgrimage due to its 12th-century church dedicated to Saint Olaf (Sankt Olof). The city was heading for a shut-down during the 16th century and was even burnt to the ground by the Danish during the Northern Seven Years' War. However the city survived and was rebuilt. The people simply refused to leave their beautiful landscape even if it meant having to deal with another Danish invasion.
Falköping or Falbygden (when talking in a larger scale, meaning the landscape in which the city of Falköping is located) is widely known for its ancient remains of stone-, bronze- and iron-age. The city is located between the two "Platåberg" (Flat-topped mountains) Mösseberg and Ålleberg. The location has been inhabited since the end of the ice age and cultivated by people for the last 6000 years. The oldest find is a form of megalithic grave (sv. Megalitgrav) called "Dös" (an ancient grave chamber with flat stones risen to form a pathway) dating back to 3400 B.C. But there is also 28 "Gånggrifter" (Pathgrifts/Chambereds) (with wider paths than the Dös) dating back to 3300 B.C. Also several "Hällkistor" (cist graves) (Which has a more rectangular and less monumental shape) have been found here, they can be traced back to earlier stone age (Senneolitikum)) 2400–1500 B.C and are believed to be built or inspired by travelers from England or other countries where this kind of grave building was used. Falköping is the only town in Europe with this amount of megalithic graves as visible contribution to the city image. They can be found in parks, crossings, and even in the backyards of homes. Hence it seem that people throughout time have wanted to live in this open landscape known as "Falbygden".
Early industry in Falköping was the Victoria Brewery (sv. Victoriabryggeriet) (1856–1953), Haglunds Roller blinds factory (sv. Haglunds rullgardinsfabrik) (1885-) and Forss hat factory (sv. Forss hattfabrik) (1880–). In the early 20th-century (1900–) several companies were established, such as: Alton gold forgery (1928), Falköping dairy factory (sv. Falköpings Mejeri) (1930–), workshop industry Arkivator (sv. verkstadsindustrin Arkivator) (1940–) and the sewing factories Svaréns and Ottossons.
Local industry
Falköping is today widely known for Kinnarps kontorsmöbler (Kinnarps furnishings) which is Sweden's largest developer in office furnishings such as chairs, office adapted tables, and so forth. They also take in custom orders from around the world (for example China).
It is also known around Sweden for Falköpings Mejeri (Falköping dairy factory) which delivers milk to almost every grocery store in Sweden.
There is a well known cheese factory called Falbygdens Ost which is a big tourist attraction for cheese lovers. Falbygdens Ost also delivers to almost every grocery store in Sweden. Celebrating Christmas in Sweden is not usually much about decorating your house with tons of lights as in America. However, Falbygdens Ost makes an exception to that. They light up their entire building with lights, Santas and reindeer when that time of the year approaches.
A "Dry Port" (sv. Torrhamn) has recently been built in connection to the railroad, enabling companies in the surrounding area to handle cargo in a more efficient way.
Geography
The city is located where the Western Railline (Västra Stambanan) between Stockholm and Gothenburg meets the railline from Nässjö via Jönköping to Falköping. This makes it an important connection for people travelling north and south. And with just one hour from the 2'nd largest city in Sweden (Gothenburg) it has a good location for both working opportunities and shopping.
Sports and wellbeing
Falköping has a large amount of soccer-fields (as it is the main game in Sweden as well as Hockey). They also have invested a lot in more athletic sports and gymnastics. And if you just want to get in shape there is no lack of opportunity to do so. There are several companies that offers health and training of various forms.
There is also an 8 km long pathway around the core of the city that's called "Hälsoslingan" (path of health). It is widely used for running and taking walks together with friends and family.
Here is some of the sport clubs in Falköping (needs more information).
- IFK Falköping
- Falköpings FK
- Kinnarp-Slutarps IF
Internet communication
Falköping has always been concerned for their peoples' ability to make connections with the world, they invest a lot in making it possible for every household to get as fast Internet connection as possible. Sometimes they are so good at it that the inhibitants calls it "grävköping" (somewhat like "digging town"). However in the latest year of 2013 the digging has mostly concerned the visual aspect of the city (like restoring some of its former beauty around the central station).
The folk tale of The Riders Of Ålleberg
There is a Folk tale that says that whenever the city of Falköping is in danger, the mountain-side of Ålleberg shall fall and reveal a troop of knight-like figures that shall ride in and vanquish the threat. They are known as "Ållebergs Ryttare" (The Riders of Ålleberg).
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Falköping. |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2005 och 2010" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
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