Alingsås facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alingsås
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Statue of Jonas Alströmer located at "Stora Torget" in Alingsås.
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 Alingsås
Location in Västra Götaland
Alingsås
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Västergötland |
| County | Västra Götaland County |
| Municipality | Alingsås Municipality |
| Established | 1619 |
| Area | |
| • City | 12.3523 km2 (4.7692 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 66 m (217 ft) |
| Population
(31 December 2010)
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| • City | 24,482 |
| • Density | 1,982/km2 (5,130/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 38,509 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
441 xx
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| Area code(s) | (+46) 322 |
Alingsås is a lively town in Sweden. It is the main town of Alingsås Municipality in Västra Götaland County. In 2010, about 24,000 people lived here.
Contents
Discover Alingsås: A Swedish Town
Where is Alingsås Located?
Alingsås is found right where the small river Säveån flows into Lake Mjörn. This beautiful location makes it a great place to visit.
Getting to Alingsås is easy. The main railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg passes through the town. You can also drive there using the European route E20 motorway. Close by, you'll find the small village of Sollebrunn.
A Glimpse into Alingsås' Past
How Alingsås Began
Alingsås was founded in 1619. This happened after Danish soldiers burned down the city of Nya Lödöse. People from that city needed a new home. Gustavus Adolphus, the king, gave Alingsås its special city rights. This makes Alingsås even older than Gothenburg, which got its city rights two years later.
Jonas Alströmer: The Potato Pioneer
One famous person from Alingsås is Jonas Alströmer. He was born here in 1685. Alströmer is known for bringing the potato plant to Sweden. He also started a huge cloth-making business in Alingsås. For a while, it was the biggest in Sweden! However, due to some big plans, fires, and political issues, it closed in 1779.
Ancient Treasures Found
In 2021, archaeologists made an exciting discovery. They found 2,500-year-old Bronze Age ornaments. These beautiful necklaces, chains, and pins were found by chance. They likely belonged to an important woman from that time.
Exploring Historical Sites in Alingsås
Giant's Kettles: Nature's Carvings
Around Alingsås, you can see round holes carved into rocks. These are called Giant's Kettles. They come in many sizes and depths. The largest ones are in Brobacka, on the way to Gräfsnäs. School groups often visit these interesting natural formations.
Gräfsnäs Castle Ruin: A Story of Fires
The Gräfsnäs slottsruin is a castle ruin near Lake Anten. It's just outside Alingsås. Count Sten Eriksson Leijonhufvud built it in 1550. The castle burned down three times, each time exactly 100 years apart (1634, 1734, 1834)!
After the last fire, a fisherman named Nils Andersson lived there. Later, the roof was removed to stop parties. In 1911, the castle was restored. Since 1930, Alingsås Municipality has taken care of it.
Alingsås Museum
The Alingsås Museum opened in 1928. It holds old photographs and town records. It also hosts different exhibitions. The museum has been closed for a while for renovations.
Culture and Fun in Alingsås
The Capital of Fika
Alingsås is famous for its many cafes. In 2010, it had 26 cafes! Because of this, it's often called "The Capital of Fika." Fika is a Swedish tradition of having coffee and a snack with friends.
Karin Boye Memorial
Karin Boye was a famous Swedish writer. She died in a forest in Alingsås in 1941. This spot is now a memorial. Many school classes take the "Karin Boye tour" to visit it.
Arts and Learning
Alingsås has an art gallery where you can see different artworks. It also has libraries for reading and learning.
Yearly Events in Alingsås
Lights in Alingsås
Every October, Alingsås hosts "Lights in Alingsås" for a month. Six lighting designers from Europe come to light up parts of the city. They work with about 65 international architecture students. Together, they create amazing light displays in just one week. People can walk through the lit-up areas on their own or with a guide. This event has become very popular around the world.
The Potato Festival
In the summer, Alingsås hosts the "Potatisfestivalen" (the Potato Festival). This is a city festival with lots of activities. You can enjoy concerts and other performances.
Education in Alingsås
- Alströmergymnasiet - This is the local high school.
Sports in Alingsås
Alingsås loves sports! Many people play swimming, figure skating, ice hockey, and soccer. Handball and floorball are also very popular. The town has two health centers for training and group classes.
Handball and the Potato Cup
AHK, the Alingsås handball team, hosts a yearly tournament. Teams from all over Sweden come to play. It's called "Potatiscupen" (the potato tournament), linking back to the town's history. The teams often stay in local schools during the event.
Football Clubs
Alingsås has a strong women's football team called Alingsås FC United. They play in the Elitettan, which is the second highest league for women's football in Sweden. There are also two men's football clubs, Holmalunds IF and Alingsås IF. They play in a regional league called Division 3.
City Districts of Alingsås
Alingsås is made up of many different areas, or districts. Some of these include:
- Hjälmared
- Rosendal
- Gråbo
- Holmalund
- Nolby
- Noltorp
- Nolhaga
- Sörhaga
- Lövekulle
- Mariedal
Images for kids
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Statue of Jonas Alströmer in Alingsås.
See Also
