Gothenburg, the old town

The old town?   Not really in terms of 'really old' as the original wooden buildings were either burnt down, there were nine major fires between 1669 and 1804, or replaced over the years.   But the area we were walking around in, certainly had some significant old buildings, plus very upmarket shopping streets.   And it was surrounded by a very old canal, designed and engineered by the Dutch in the 17th century.   

First stop, The Market Hall (Saluhallen), full of delicacies, cured meats, fresh meat, cakes, cheeses and many other items.   It was also a place where one could buy food for lunch and eat it there.   We have been to a similar market somewhere else on our journeys, almost an identical market, but we cannot remember where.   Gold star to whichever of us eventually remembers.

Walter looking particularly happy in this great food hall.

I bought 100 grams of tea flavoured with lemon, and 100 grams of tea flavoured with ginger.    Lucy left me a packet of Whittards tea flavoured with honey, which I have really enjoyed so thought I would continue along the same lines.

Of course we stopped for a latte, plus apple crumble for me, and blueberry crumble for Walter, both topped with vanilla custard.   And it was not even lunchtime.   But delicious, very much so.

The next stop was the Stadsmuseum, based in the 18th century former headquarters of the Swedish East India Company.

Another Viking ship, sadly the base only, but it was Sweden's only original Viking ship.   Apologies for the blured photograph, it was very dark in the room.

The musueum was very well organised, starting with prehistory information and artifacts, and continuing on throughout the centuries until the 19th century.  There were information boards plus artifacts and exhibits, just enough to keep one interested without suffering from overload.

The inside of the building was also remarkable.  I loved the hall and staircases in the photograph below.

The Goteborg Cathedral, a Lutheran Church, built in the Classicism style, and opened in 1827.  The previous three churches burned down.   A very imposing building,

with an even more imposing interior, which comprised of neo classical architecture,    And plenty of marble.    The organ seen in the photograph below was installed in 1967.    

On the theme of churches.   Feskekorka Fish Market was built in 1874 to resemble a church.   It was meant to symbolise Gothenburgers' almost religious relationship with the delicacies the sea provides.  In fact the building has been consecrated and people get married there.

Inside the fish hall, full of fish of course, all looking delicious and fresh.   Unfortunately we had eaten a huge lunch at the museum, so were not even tempted to try anything.  There were two restaurants here, plus plenty of takeaway sea food salads which could be eaten at one of the wooden tables outside.  

A Music Festival is currently taking place, in one of the parks, I think.   Bands and marching competitions too.   The bands and marching girls paraded through the town today, and some of them were very good.   There were plenty of medals displayed on the fronts of uniforms.

The oldest building in Gothenburg, the old city hall (Kronhuset), built in 1654.  

There was quite a significant influence on the development of Gothenburg during the 17th century from the Dutch immigrants and merchants.  They had the skills to build a city on the marshy land.  The language during the 17th century was actually Dutch.

These classical buildings, probably 18th century, lined one of the canals.

Another really enjoyable day.    Just wandering around the streets, and looking at buildings, and shops.    Nothing rushed.   We love these days.