Söderköping: Göta Canal, Medieval History and Ramunderberget
Söderköping has been designated a cultural environment of national interest. This includes the largely unchanged medieval street network, churches, small-scale wooden buildings, and the town’s relationship with the water, Ramunderberget and the surrounding landscape. The Göta Canal runs directly through Söderköping and is therefore just as much a part of the townscape as the historic streets and buildings.
Within the immediate destination area are Söderköping and Sankt Anna.
Culture and history
The medieval character is particularly vivid in the Drothemskvarteren district: low wooden houses and narrow lanes preserve Söderköping’s medieval appearance. Today’s Drothems kyrka dates from the late 13th century and houses a medieval altarpiece. S:t Laurentii kyrka, also known as S:t Lars kyrka, was first mentioned in writing in 1253. The present church was built towards the end of the 13th century as a three-aisled basilica.
Söderköpings stadshistoriska museum is located in the town’s oldest school building and presents the development of Söderköping from the Early Middle Ages to the present day. The history of the Franciscan monastery goes back even further: in 1235, the Franciscans founded a monastery with an associated monastery church in Söderköping.
The connection to the Swedish film world is also one of the town’s well-known motifs. In the series Inga Lindström, the Drothemskvarteren district and the Göta Canal in Söderköping can be seen as filming locations. At Söderköpings sluss, visitors can see several original warehouses belonging to the Göta Canal, as well as other preserved canal buildings.
Water and canal history
Söderköpings sluss was built in 1847. The upper lock gates still have their original cast-iron framework. Together with the Göta Canal, which runs directly through Söderköping, both the technical installation and several preserved buildings are therefore part of the canal area.
Nature and outdoor activities
Ramunderberget rises 70 metres above sea level and forms a distinctive backdrop for Söderköping. A large coniferous forest area with numerous paths extends across the mountain. A challenging hike leads via 318 steps to a viewpoint. The 9-kilometre Borgbergsleden trail leads to the Ramunderborgen hillfort.
Other trails have their own special features: the Flora- och Faunaleden is approximately 5 kilometres long and has around 30 information boards. Hälsans stig is a 4-kilometre circular route in central Söderköping suitable for walks. Those travelling by bicycle can use the Göta-kanalleden cycle route. It runs directly through Söderköping and along the entire Göta Canal; large sections are car-free and particularly suitable for families.
Events and crafts
Söderköpings Gästabud has been held every year since 2006. The festival includes medieval music, tournament games, a medieval market, workshops and guided tours. Sparven also provides a venue for workshops and courses in felting, tin-thread embroidery and watercolour painting.
At Fixområdet, at least five businesses operating in the textile sector have established themselves within walking distance of one another. A culinary destination by the water is Smultronstället on the Göta Canal, with approximately 200 seats and 60 ice-cream sundaes assembled by customers themselves.
Getting there
Söderköping can be reached by car, boat, plane, bus or train via Norrköping.
To the higher-level travel overview: Östergötland.
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