Gamleby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gamleby
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 Gamleby
Location in Kalmar
Gamleby
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Småland |
| County | Kalmar County |
| Municipality | Västervik Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.18 km2 (1.23 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2010)
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| • Total | 2,775 |
| • Density | 873/km2 (2,260/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Gamleby is a lovely town in Sweden. It's the second biggest place in Västervik Municipality, which is part of Kalmar County. About 2,775 people lived here in 2010. You can find Gamleby about 20 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Västervik, in an area called Tjust.
The name Gamleby means "old village." This is because it was the first location of the town Västervik. Västervik was first mentioned way back in 1275. But in 1433, Västervik moved to where it is today. A small community stayed behind in Gamleby.
The local sports club, Tjust IF, plays both bandy (a type of ice hockey) and football.
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A Look Back at Gamleby's History
The name Gamleby truly means "the old town." It got this name because it's where the city of Västervik first began. That was before Västervik moved in 1433. The name Västervik was first written down in 1275.
Gamleby used to have the most important port in northeastern Småland. But then Västervik moved. People thought the new Västervik had a better harbor. Gamleby is located at the very end of Gamlebyviken, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest. After the move in 1433, the place was called Gamla Västervik. Later, it became Gamleby, and by 1456, it was written as Gamblaby.
All of Gamleby is built on land that once belonged to Åby manor. This old farm, called Gammelgård, was a royal farm. It's one of the oldest settlements in the area.
Gamleby started to grow again in the 1800s. This happened when the railway, now called Tjustbanan, came through the town. The railway helped new factories and workshops open. It also made Gamleby a central place for the farms around Tjust. A paint factory opened in 1963 and became a big employer. Gamleby Folkhögskola, a type of community college, started at Åby manor in the late 1800s. The town grew until about 1975, when its population reached about 3,700 people.
Other businesses were also important for the town. There was a large lumberyard owned by Henrik Cornelius. There was also a quarry on Marstrandsberget, across Gamlebyviken from the town. The lumberyard was once the biggest workplace in Gamleby. Sadly, it burned down in a huge fire in 1920. Luckily, the rest of Gamleby was saved.
Life in Gamleby Today
Gamleby Torg is the town square, located below Garpedansberget. It's special because it's one of the few triangular squares in Scandinavia! A short walk west of the old town center is Gamleby shopping center. It opened in 1972.
You can find many shops at the shopping center. There's a grocery store, an electronics shop, and a clothing store. You can also find a pizzeria, a pharmacy, and a kiosk. There's even a bank and an ATM.
On the southern edge of town, you'll find Hammarsbadet. It's about a 25-minute walk from the shopping center. This swimming area is great for kids. It has docks and a diving tower with five and ten-meter platforms. There's also beach volleyball, a playground, and a barbecue area. You can play mini golf, grab a snack at the kiosk, or eat at the restaurant.
Schools in Gamleby
Gamleby has several schools for students of all ages:
- Ernebergsskolan
- Gamleby Folkhögskola (a type of community college)
- Gamleby Fotoskola (Photography School)
- Old town TV production
- Visskolan (Music School)
- Gamlebygymnasiet (High School, formerly Valstadskolan)
- Hammargymnasiet (High School)
- Gamlebyviken's friskola (Independent School)
- Åbyängskolan
- Östra Ringskolan
Famous People from Gamleby
Several well-known individuals have come from Gamleby:
- Daniel Hallingström (born 1981), a football player and coach.
- Conny Torstensson (born 1949), a famous football player.
- Tore Holm (1896-1977), a boat designer, sailor, and Olympic gold medalist.
Images for kids
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Casimirsborg, a beautiful country house south of Gamleby
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