Many years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to join my family on a trip to Sweden. While there, we visited Stockholm and a coastal town called Kalmar, and I immediately fell in love. I have always wanted to go back, but right now, that’s not really an option. So, I decided to poke around online and take a virtual trip to Sweden, and I learned about another city that would be awesome to visit (in real life): Gothenburg. It has an amazing history and a rich architectural heritage. Just wandering the streets of the city would be a lesson in history, art and design.
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm. Its location on the coast of the country makes it a huge trade center – spurred hundreds of years ago by the East India Company. It is the birthplace of Volvo cars, which was founded in 1927.
The city’s architectural history dates back to 1627, when it was founded by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. Unfortunately, few houses from the 17th century survived due to the fact that they were built entirely of wood. The first surviving architectural examples are from the 18th century, when the East India Company made Gothenburg an important trade center. At this time, the house for the Swedish East India Company was built, which now houses Gothenburg’s City Museum. This building, with its imposing stone façade, is a perfect example of the architecture that thrived during the 18th century.
Gothenburg City Museum, formerly the East India House
During the 19th century, the wealthy bourgeoisie moved outside the city walls (which protected Gothenburg when Denmark and Norway were a threat) and the working class remained in the city center, in a crowded district known as Haga. This area, that once had a bad reputation, gradually transformed into a popular place for residents, with a 19th century ambiance featuring picturesque wooden houses and many cafés.
A cobblestone street in Haga.
Also in the 19th century, the first town plan was created, which led to the construction of Kungsportsavenyn, or King’s Gate Avenue.
King’s Gate Avenue
At this time, the most significant type of houses in the city, 3 storey houses known as Landshordingehusen, became popular. With the first floor made of stone and the two upper floors made of wood, many of these homes still survive.
Landshordingehusen
During the early 20th century, a style known as the National Romantic style dominated, which celebrated Swedish culture. The best example of this type of architecture survives in the Masthugget Church.
Masthugget Church
Later in the 20th century, Neo-Classical style began to take precedence. Harking back to classical Greek architecture, the movement was a reaction to the highly decorative Rococo style and a return to the “purity of the arts of Rome.” This style is exemplified in the city’s public square at the end of King’s Gate Avenue, Gotaplatsen.
Gotaplatsen
In the 1930′s, along with much of Europe, functionalism became a very prominent architectural style. City planner Uno Ahren – who designed the Ford Motor Company building in Stockholm – set the precedent in the city that the design of a building should be based on function, and the only ornament a building should incorporate must contribute to the enrichment of the purpose of the building.
Ford Motor Company Building, Stockholm
Another great example of functionalism was the soccer stadium, Ullevi, built in the 1950′s for the World Cup.
Ullevi Soccer Stadium
In the 1980′s, the post-modernist movement began to appear in Gothenburg architecture. One of the most famous architects of this era is Gert Wingardh. The Universeum Science Center and Chalmers University of Technology are two of the most prominent projects in his repertoire.
Universeum
Chalmers Institute of Technology
Other notable architectural specimens of Gothenburg include:
Gothenburg Central Station, built in 1858.
Gothenburg Central Station
Skanksaskrapan, or “The Lipstick,” which was designed by Ralph Erskine as the headquarters for the Skanska Corporation.
Skanskaskrapen
The Gothenburg Opera, completed in 1994. This building was designed by Jan Izikowitz, who described his vision as, “Something that makes your mind float over the squiggling landscape like the wings of a seagull. The shape is inspired by the impressive landscape with the light and openness, to the concrete technical constructions of the port; the floating grace of the bridges; the obvious frame made from the strength, softness and grace of the hull of a ship, the seagull’s wings and the flawless streamlined shape of a sail.”
Gothenburg Opera
The Museum of World Culture, designed by Brisac Gonzalez Architects. This modern building is located on a slope that leads up to the Liseberg Amusement Park. It features a 4 storey glass atrium that offers views of the mountains and woods. The upper storeys hang freely five meters above a footpath, and a 43 meter glass section allows onlookers to view into the museum’s largest exhibition hall.
Gothenburg Museum of World Culture
One day, I will make it to Gothenburg to take pictures of this amazing architecture in person, but, until then, I hope you enjoyed this virtual trip to Sweden!
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