Kristinehamn, Värmland County, Värmland Province, Sweden

🇸🇪 Kristinehamn is a locality and the seat of Kristinehamn Municipality, Värmland County, Sweden. The present municipality was created in 1971 when the former City of Kristinehamn was merged with parts of the two dissolved rural municipalities Visnum and Väse.

Localities • Kristinehamn (seat) • Björneborg • Bäckhammar • Ölme.

Geography Kristinehamn is situated by the shores of lake Vänern where the small rivers Varnan and Löt drain into the lake. It has a harbour and is a railroad and road transportation center. Nearby towns include Karlskoga and Karlstad and are located exactly in the middle of Oslo, Stockholm and Gothenburg with 250 km to each of them.

History The location has had a resident population for centuries, at least since the Stone Age. The town was then built alongside the bridge over river Varnan. Its name was Broo (or Bro) until 1642, and "Bro" literally means "Bridge" in Swedish.

Kristinehamn got a royal charter for the first time in 1582 but lost it in 1584, and regained it in 1642, and changed its name in honour of the monarch Queen Christina of Sweden. It thus qualifies as one of Sweden's historical cities. Its city arms were designated with a bojort, which is a Dutch ship in use in the 17th century.

Sites of interest • By the shores of lake Vänern stands this 15 meter high Pablo Picasso statue since 1965. The statue was designed by Picasso, but built and inaugurated without him visiting the construction site. Picasso never visited Kristinehamn. Its 15 meters make it the tallest Picasso Sculpture in the world (except for the Chicago sculpture that is actually 15.2 Meters in height.) • The oldest runestone in the county of Värmland, the Järsberg Runestone with origin back to 500 AC, is located about 1 km outside the town of Järsberg. The latest interpretation of the runes was made by Sven B. F. Jansson (1906-1987). Quotation: "My name is "Ljuv". My name is "Ravn". Me "Eril" am making the runes". A pearl from the same period of time has been found in the area. • Kristinehamn Church (Kristinehamns kyrka) was designed by professor Carl Georg Brunius (1793–1869) and was first opened in 1858. The church also has a museum in the sanctuary gallery that is worth a visit because of its unique architecture. • The medieval island of Saxholmen, situated in the beautiful archipelago of Kristinehamn. There have been several archaeological excavations on the island during the past few years. There is a myth that once the cruel and hateful Saxe av Sachsen lived on the island with his wife and servants. His wife took off with her lover. • Östervik chapel is a unique small church which has a fascinating history and architecture. • Folk museum, the red-painted houses made of wood, the rushing of the water, and the bleating of the sheep make altogether a wonderful atmosphere and give you a memorable visit. Lundbomsgården is a middle-class home from the 19th century, the mill from the early 17th century. • Värmlands Säby manor house has typical 18th century qualities with beautiful tiled stoves and painted tapestries. There is also a unique hedge maze consisting of 1,747 bushes.

Sport The following sports clubs are located in Kristinehamn: • IFK Ölme