Linköping's Historical Background

Linköping, being founded in the tenth century, has a long and rich history to share for those interested in finding out about it. Already from its early days Linköping has been a religious centre in the early inhabited province of Östergötland, and that has put its mark on the city. Linköping’s to this day dominant building is the large gothic cathedral that makes a distinctive landmark in the city centre. What often came with religion in those days was education and a school was founded here in 1266, making it one of the oldest in the country.

In the late sixteenth century an important battle was fought in Linköping. The outcome of it decided who was to be king of Sweden and stood between the forces of Sigismund and Karl IX. Sigismund was catholic and already king of Poland, whilst Karl IX was protestant and also claimed the crown. This inevitable led to confrontation and a major battle stood just outside the city. Karl IX emerged as the winner and got the crown of Sweden. Sigismund fled to Poland, and back in Sweden in the aftermath of the battle Karl IX took a violent revenge on the nobility that was loyal to Sigismund in what was to be known as the Bloodbath of Linköping. The execution spot is now marked in the ground in the middle of the main square.

From early twentieth century the military regiment I4 and the military aeroplane manufacturer SAAB were two of the largest employers in the city and made Linköping the self proclaimed aeroplane city of Sweden. Nowadays the only military presence is the chopper flotilla; the rest has been closed due to large cutbacks. SAAB however is still an important employer and something that many inhabitants take pride in.

In more recent history Linköping and its rival city, Norrköping, has buried the hatchet and formed “the twin cities of Sweden”. This is a cooperation designed to advertise the region to Sweden and the world.