Skänninge just off the E4
Only 5 minutes off the E4 lays the small sleepy idyllic town Skänninge that will offer you a revitalizing moment on your road trip along the E4. Take a coffee in one of the cafes around the main square or have a small breather in one of the parks.
Skänninge is located South-east of Vadstena just off the E4, close to the city of Mjölby. Skänninge is perhaps most known for its fair, Skänninge marken. The fair or market is held in the beginning of August and draws over a 100 000 visitors to the city of just 3000 inhabitants. It is considered to be the oldest market in Sweden. Even if you can't make it for the market in Skänninge but you are driving along the E4 in Sweden the small town is definitely worth a visit.
The city center is built up around an old stone church and most houses are made out of wood and are very well taken care of. The city is surrounded by farming fields and through the town runs a small river that helps in giving a very relaxed and calm feeling to the town.
The tourist office is found in the center of town next to the church. The people there are very knowledgeable of the city's past and if you are interested in Runestones and Viking history then Skänninge is a great place to start a small tour. In the close vicinity of the town there are several monumental Runestones, they are not officially marked out on maps but if you ask about them in the Tourist Office then they can point them out on a map and even have some brochures about the stones. The first Runestone is behind the tourist office, in the church yard.
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| One of the garden cafés of Skänninge. This one had a thrift shop and Museum as well. |
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| Screen shot from google maps showing the Tourist Office on the right and the Runestone in the center of the church yard. |
Most Runestones were taken from their original erection spots and used in the construction of churches, often as stepping stones in to the church as is the case with the Runestone behind the Tourist office.
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| Most of the stones have been cleaned up and the Runes painted. |
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| This stone had been used as the entrance stone in to the church. Face down the Runestone had been placed in the position were everyone that entered into the church had to step on it. |
Gardens and Markets
At the time of our visit in early July Skänninge seemed like a very cozy small town with pleasant small cafes and some nice small herb gardens and blooming parks.
There is a small and very clean herb garden in the city, where you can learn about the local flora.
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