Valdemarsvik
Valdemarsvik Show map of Östergötland Valdemarsvik Show map of Sweden
Coordinates: 58°12′N 16°36′E / 58.200°N 16.600°E / 58.200; 16.600
Country	Sweden
Province	Östergötland and Småland
County	Östergötland County
Municipality	Valdemarsvik Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	2.89 km2 (1.12 sq mi)
Population  (31 December 2010)[1]
• Total	2,772
• Density	959/km2 (2,480/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Valdemarsvik is a locality, situated alongside the bay of Valdemarsviken [sv] which connects to the Baltic Sea. It is the seat of Valdemarsvik Municipality which is located in Östergötland County, Sweden. The coastal area is a popular summer destination, particularly with Swedish tourists.

History

Valdemarsvik is surrounded by water. However, after the end of the last glacial period, it lay beneath the sea level. As a result of post-glacial rebound, the water withdrew as the land rose. The resulting appearance of fertile soil drew settlers in the Bronze Age, around 1500 BC.^[2]

The surrounding archipelago has had a bloody history: remains of shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea and Viking Age remnants witness of battles from that time. Industrialization occurred during the 1630s, when Valdemarsvik became a trade port for copper and leather; one of Sweden's largest tanneries was located in Valdemarsvik. The town's name was first mentioned in 1664.^[2]

Tourism and entertainment

Sailing to the Tjust archipelago [sv] to swim and fish is a popular summertime activity. Boat excursions and jetski rentals are also available.

No one I know who has experienced Gryt's archipelago disagrees with me saying: It has been—and is—a blessing to experience this archipelago, this living porch, stretching out into the endless ocean.

— Henning Mankell, author and seasonal resident of the archipelago of Gryt^[3][4][5]

Other recreational activities include bicycle rentals, golf, cinemas, canoeing, and horse riding. There are museums in the locality that can be visited. The glass artist, sculptor and painter Milan Wobruba [sv] has a studio, where visitors have the opportunity to be involved in glass blowing and the manufacture of glass. An "October Market", held every 4 October, is both a market, with a range of goods to be sold, and a fair, featuring acrobats, cotton candy, live music and various amusement rides.^{[citation needed]}

Many of Valdemarsvik's restaurants and cafés are open all year round; other are open during the tourist season. Also, each year there is exists a special "food competition". Dishes are to be made, the ingredients should, as far as possible, be locally produced and which a jury then assesses. The winning dish is then served at most restaurants in the municipality.^[6]

The football club Valdemarsviks IF is located in Valdemarsvik.^{[citation needed]}

References

Media related to Valdemarsvik at Wikimedia Commons