Hjo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hjo
|
|
|---|---|
Hamngatan in Hjo
|
|
 Hjo
Location in Västra Götaland
Hjo
Location in Sweden
|
|
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Västergötland |
| County | Västra Götaland County |
| Municipality | Hjo Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.54 km2 (1.75 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2010)
|
|
| • Total | 6,094 |
| • Density | 1,343/km2 (3,480/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Hjo (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈjuː]) is a charming small town in Sweden. It is located on the western coast of Vättern, which is one of Sweden's largest lakes. Hjo is also the main town, or "seat," of Hjo Municipality in Västra Götaland County. In 2010, about 6,094 people lived here.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Etymology of Hjo
The name Hjo comes from the Hjoån river, which flows into Lake Vättern. The word Hjo likely means 'muddy'. Over time, the spelling of the town's name has changed many times. Some older spellings include Hyo, Hio, Hiyo, and Hioo.
A Glimpse into Hjo's Past: History and Heritage
Hjo has a very long history. It was officially recognized as a town as early as 1413. Even though Hjo is a small town today, it is still called a "city" because of its important history. This is a special tradition in Sweden. However, Statistics Sweden only counts places with more than 10,000 people as modern cities.
Hjo's Unique Wooden Architecture
Many old towns built with wood have been destroyed by fires. Luckily, Hjo has been mostly spared from big fires. In 1794, the church and a few nearby houses burned down, but most of the town was safe. Because of this, Hjo's streets and buildings look almost the same as they did in medieval times. This makes Hjo a very special place to visit.
The "Three Wooden Towns" Project
Hjo is part of a cool project with two other Swedish towns, Eksjö and Nora. They work together to promote their historic wooden buildings as tourist attractions. They call themselves the "Three Wooden Towns" (Tre trästäder). This helps more people discover the unique charm of these old towns.
Celebrating 600 Years
In 2013, the town of Hjo celebrated a very big birthday. It marked 600 years since it was first recognized as a town! This was a huge milestone for the community.
Fun Things to Do: Tourist Attractions in Hjo
Hjo offers several interesting places for visitors to enjoy. From historic ships to relaxing swimming spots, there's something for everyone.
Sailing on the Historic S/S Trafik
One of Hjo's most famous attractions is the steamship S/S Trafik. It is one of the oldest steamships still running in Sweden. During the summer, you can take fun trips on the S/S Trafik. It even sails to Visingsö, which is the biggest island in Lake Vättern.
Estrid Ericson's Hjo Connection
Did you know that Estrid Ericson, the person who started the famous Swedish interior design company Svenskt Tenn, grew up in Hjo? Her father owned a hotel in the town. This connection adds another interesting layer to Hjo's history.
Splashing Fun at Guldkroksbadet
If you love to swim, you'll enjoy Guldkroksbadet. It's an outdoor swimming area with free entry. There are three pools, including a large one that is 50 by 25 meters. There are also two smaller pools that are perfect for younger children. Guldkroksbadet also has a beach where you can swim in the beautiful lake.
