The secret story of Gothenburg and Lödöse, the forgotten town

While many know Gothenburg for its maritime heritage and world-famous Volvo cars, there’s a chapter of the city’s history that remains largely untold – a story that links Gothenburg to ancient trade routes, Norway, and a forgotten town: Lödöse. I had the opportunity to recently visit the small city museum (which was completely free) and learn the fascinating history of this town.

Lödöse, a bridge between countries

Not many people realise that Gothenburg, as we know it today, didn’t always exist in its current form. Before this city came to life in the 1600s, there was Lödöse, a small town located just north of where Gothenburg now stands, on the banks of the Göta älv river.

The strategic location of Lödöse made it an important trading hub long before Gothenburg. Situated on the Göta älv, Lödöse was one of the first places where goods could be transferred between the Swedish and Norwegian coasts. Its proximity to Norway made it a key point of contact between the two nations, and even Denmark for a while.

The birth of Gothenburg

But, as time passed, Lödöse’s significance waned. When the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf founded Gothenburg in 1621, he chose a more strategic location. This location could accommodate a larger and more modern harbour. The shift from Lödöse to Gothenburg was gradual, but it marked the beginning of the end for the once-thriving town. As the years went by, Lödöse faded from the collective memory of the region. The town that had once been a crucial part of Scandinavian trade was slowly forgotten.

The mystery of Lödöse

The exhibits in the museum are filled with ancient artifacts, some dating back as far as the 1000s. For example, a skeleton of a woman and a set of armour that tell the story of Lödöse’s turbulent past. One of the most intriguing items in the museum is the map of old Lödöse. It shows the town as it once stood – vibrant, bustling, and full of life, surrounded by a community that connected Scandinavia. Despite its historical importance, Lödöse is barely mentioned in the stories of Gothenburg. New Lödöse was built, in the current Gamlastaden, and most inhabitants from old Lödöse were forced to move there.

A quiet, yet powerful legacy

Lödöse’s legacy lives on, not just in the artifacts, but in the heart of Gothenburg. The Göta älv river still flows through the town, a reminder of the trade routes and connections that were established centuries ago. Lödöse, though overshadowed by its larger neighbour, is the quiet heartbeat of Gothenburg’s origins.

Gothenburg owes much of its identity to the small, quiet town that proudly stands along the Göta älv. If you’re ever in Gothenburg and curious about its hidden past, I highly recommend visiting the Lödöse Museum about 45 minutes north. It’s an interesting experience that brings to life a small part of Swedish history. It also offers a glimpse into a time when Gothenburg was still just a distant dream.