Lonely Planet - EARTH

The Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseet is in Bjalboattens Palats, and tells the story of St Birgitta’s rollercoaster life and those of all her saint and sinner children. It contains the coffin that she was brought back from Rome in, and there are realistic waxworks in the old nuns’ cells. ‘Of plain construction, humble and strong’, Klosterkyrkan was built in response to one of St Birgitta’s visions. After the church’s consecration in 1430, Vadstena became the top pilgrimage site in Sweden – a trend which is being revived today. Inside are medieval sculptures and some interesting carved floor slabs. The old courthouse radhus, on the town square, and Rodtornet both date from late medieval times.

Beautiful Vadstena on Vattern lake is a legacy of both church and state power, and today St Birgitta’s abbey and Gustav Vasa’s castle compete for the visitor’s interest. The atmosphere in the old town between Storgatan and the abbey, with its wonderful cobbled lanes, evocative street names and wooden buildings, makes Vadstena one of the most pleasing places in Sweden.

Located near the lake, the mighty Renaissance castle Vadstena Slott was the family project of the early Vasa kings. The lower floors contain a small historical display. The furnished upper floors are more interesting, but are only open during guided tours. It’s worth going on one if only to visit the chapel, which has an incredible 17-second echo!

Bergs Slussar, 12km northwest of Linkoping, is one of the most scenic sections of the Gota Canal – there are seven locks with a height gain of 19m – very impressive in canal terms! The nearby ruin Vreta kloster, Sweden’s oldest monastery, was founded by Benedictine monks in 1120. It’s worth a look, but the adjacent 13th-century abbey church is more interesting.There’s a beautifully located STF Vandrarhem near the locks, with a cafe, minigolf and bikes for rent. We can find a couple of cafes and restaurants out this way, including Kanalkrogen, with a great range of meals. We don’t have to worry about the transport. Buses are available at regular intervals from Linkoping.