Falköping, Västergötland – Exploring Sweden

Falköping is a locality in a region that was earlier known a Skaraborg, a region that today is part of the much larger Västra Götaland County. It is located at the plains known as Falbygden or Falan and it is surrounded by several table mountains. Farming has played an important role for the town and its growth. Today Falköping has a population of almost 18.000 inhabitants.

A Short History of Falköping

People have lived in the area since the ice age and it is very rich in ancient remains. 3400 B.C. The oldest find is a tomb dating back to 3400 B.C. The first known mentioning of Falköping dates back to the 12th century. The locality is thought to have had an important religious role already before Christianity. It is especially the goddess Frigg that is believed to have been in the centre of the activities in Falköping. The goddess was associated with foresight and wisdom, it is also she who gave her name to the English weekday name Friday. The 12th century also saw the construction of the church in Falköping.

It is believed that around 150 to 200 people lived in Falköping during the 15th century. The population had grown to around 450 at the beginning of the 19th century. The town was burned down at least twice in between. Both fires were caused by Danish soldiers during the 16th century.

It was not until the 1850’s and onward that Falköping started to expand. It started with the construction of a hospital and just a few years later the railroad appeared. By 1862 Falköping had become a junction between two of the major railroads in Sweden.

Things to Do and See

Nature is not far away, even though it might require a climb up on the nearby mountain. With a decently sized town centre, Falköping has a lot to offer for anyone just wanting to stroll around within the town borders. For others, there are still also historical sights to explore in an area that is known for the many ancient remains. A popular excursion is to Lake Hornborga to see the migrating cranes dance. For a short time each year, the migrating birds do a stop at the lake.

Mösseberg

Mösseberg is a table mountain right next to Falköping. It reaches a height of 327 meters above the sea level, which is around 100 meters higher than the rest of the town. The area includes several nature reserves, but also a recreational area. There are several options for exercise here, skiing in winter and a lot more during the summer. There is also a small zoo, with playgrounds for the children.

Wrågården

If it is not enough with the animals at Mösseberg, then there is more to explore at Wrågården. This is a place to get close up with the European elk, the fallow deer or the American bison.

Luttra Gånggrift

Luttra Gånggrift is a bit south of Falköping. Gånggrift is the Swedish word for passage grave, a kind of burial mound. This grave probably dates back to the Stone Age and it is on top of a small mound. This grave in Luttra is one of the best-preserved passage graves in Sweden.

How to get to Falköping

• Flights: The closest larger airport is Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) 118 kilometres away, with both domestic and international flights. Another option is Jönköping Airport (JKG), 68 kilometres away, with mostly chartered flights.
• Car: Falköping is at the intersection between road 46 and road 47, giving the town a connection to Jönköping, Skövde, Ulricehamn, and Vara.
• Train: Västtågen has trains from Falköping to Göteborg, Jönköping, Nässjö. Skövde, Töreboda and Örebro while SJ has connections to Göteborg and Stockholm.
• Bus: Regional and local buses connect Falköping with the surrounding region.

The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:

• Stockholm – 382 kilometers (4h 32min)
• Gothenburg – 122 kilometers (1h 42min)
• Malmö – 339 kilometers (4h 11min)
• Linköping – 199 kilometers (2h 26min)
• Kiruna – 1479 kilometers (18h 1min)

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