Skövde

Skövde is situated by the Billingen mountain, between the two lakes Vänern and Vättern. With 50 000 inhabitants it is the 5th largest municipality in Västra Götaland county.

Here the first Cultural Centre in the country is found, opened in 1964. It is right in the centre of a vast cultural area. Skövde is a central city in Skaraborg and was founded in the 14th century. Therefore there are many interesting sights in and around the city. Within half an hour´s ride is Göta Kanal, Karlsborg fortress, Läckö Castle and the Hornborga lake.

The great city fire in 1759 ruined almost all of Skövde, and Heléns cottage is the cities oldest profane building, probably built in the early 18th century. The oldest church in Sweden, Forsby Church from 1135 is found here. Skövde City Museum is housed in the old town hall from 1776. In the museum exhibitions of arms, uniforms, coins and much more are on display. In Skövde Cultural Centre is the Skaraborg Arts Museum, arts workshop, art gallery, library, a cinema and coffee shops.

In Våmb right outside Skövde is one of the many medieval stone churches in the diocese. S:ta Helena Church got its name after the saint Elin, also called Helena, who lived in the 12th century. She was murdered on her way to the city Götene, and two monks carried her body to Skövde church, where she was going to be buried in Sankta Helena Church. They placed the bier to rest at Källebäcken a while, and suddenly a spring sprang forth. The water was thought to cure diseases, and later a chapel was built on the same spot. After the canonization of S:ta Elin, Skövde became famous and attracted many pilgrims for several hundred years. Today a stone is risen at Källebäcken in rememberance of her.