Valdemarsvik is a locality, situated alongside the bay of Valdemarsviken which connects to the

Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the North and Central European Plain. The sea stretches from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from ...

. It is the seat of Valdemarsvik Municipality which is located in

Östergötland County Östergötland County ( sv, Östergötlands län) is a county or ''län'' in southeastern Sweden. It has land borders with the counties of Kalmar to the southeast, Jönköping to the southwest, Örebro to the northwest, and Södermanland to the ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

. The coastal area is a popular summer destination, particularly with Swedish tourists.

History

Valdemarsvik is surrounded by water. However, after the end of the last glacial period, it lay beneath the sea level. As a result of

post-glacial rebound Post-glacial rebound (also called isostatic rebound or crustal rebound) is the rise of land masses after the removal of the huge weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period, which had caused isostatic depression. Post-glacial rebound a ...

, the water withdrew as the land rose. The resulting appearance of fertile soil drew settlers in the

Bronze Age The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second prin ...

, around 1500 BC. The surrounding archipelago has had a bloody history: remains of shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea and

Viking era The Viking Age () was the period during the Middle Ages when Norsemen known as Vikings undertook large-scale raiding, colonizing, conquest, and trading throughout Europe and reached North America. It followed the Migration Period and the Germ ...

remnants witness of battles from that time. Industrialization occurred during the 1630s, when Valdemarsvik became a trade port for copper and

leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs ...

; one of Sweden's largest

tanneries Tanning may refer to: *Tanning (leather), treating animal skins to produce leather *Sun tanning, using the sun to darken pale skin ** Indoor tanning, the use of artificial light in place of the sun **Sunless tanning, application of a stain or dye ...

was located in Valdemarsvik. The town's name was first mentioned in 1664.

Tourism and entertainment

Sailing to the Gryt archipelago to swim and fish is a popular summertime activity. Boat excursions and jetski rentals are also available. :"No one I know who has experienced Gryt's archipelago disagrees with me saying: It has been — and is — a blessing to experience this archipelago, this living porch, stretching out into the endless ocean." -

Henning Mankell Henning Georg Mankell (; 3February 19485October 2015) was a Swedish crime writer, children's author, and dramatist, best known for a series of mystery novels starring his most noted creation, Inspector Kurt Wallander. He also wrote a number o ...

, author and seasonal resident of the archipelago of Gryt. Other recreational activities include bicycle rentals, golf, cinemas, canoeing, riding, and museums. The internationally famed glass artist, sculptor and painter Milan Wobruba has a studio, where visitors have the opportunity to be involved in

glass blowing Glassblowing is a glassforming technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble (or parison) with the aid of a blowpipe (or blow tube). A person who blows glass is called a ''glassblower'', ''glassmith'', or ''gaffer''. A '' lampworke ...

and the manufacture of glass. An "October Market", held every October 4, is both a market, with a range of goods to be sold, and a fair, featuring

acrobats Acrobatics () is the performance of human feats of balance, agility, and motor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used in performing arts, sporting events, and martial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most often performed in acro ...

, cotton candy,

live music A concert is a live music performance in front of an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, choir, or band. Concerts are held in a wide variety ...

and various

amusement rides Amusement rides, sometimes called carnival rides, are mechanical devices or structures that move people especially kids to create fun and enjoyment. Rides are often perceived by many as being scary or more dangerous than they actually are. This ...

. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés to visit in the municipality. Many of them are open all year round but there are also those that are only open during the summer. Also, each year there is exists a special "food competition". Dishes are to be made, the ingredients should, as far as possible, be locally produced and which a jury then assesses. The winner will then have his or her dish served at most restaurants in the municipality.

Sports

The following sports clubs are located in Valdemarsvik: * Valdemarsviks IF

References

External links

{{authority control Populated places in Östergötland County Municipal seats of Östergötland County Swedish municipal seats Market towns in Sweden Populated places in Valdemarsvik Municipality