Motala

DISCOVER MOTALA

– THE SEASIDE CITY OF ÖSTERGÖTLAND!

Welcome to a journey of discovery in Motala, and explore our lakeside city. Perhaps you’d like to spend a day at Varamobaden beach, the longest freshwater beach in the Nordic region, with sand as fine as a Caribbean beach.

If you're looking for an active holiday, there is a lot to choose between – kayaking on Lake Boren, or standup paddleboarding on beautiful Lake Vättern. Enjoy the lakeside city as you power walk alongside Motala River or fish in Lake Salstern. Watch a spectacular sunset while having a good meal at a lakeside restaurant. At Motala harbour, you can stroll past the boats and choose between several restaurants just a stone’s throw from Motala city centre.

Have you signed up for the world’s largest recreational cycling event, Vätternrundan? Motala is both the starting point and finish line for the 315 km cycling route, which is held each year in June.

The lake has given us our history. We know that people had settled here as early as 11,000 years ago, likely due to the lakeside location. Inquisitive minds can find more information about archaeological findings and other Motala history at Charlottenborg Manor House.

Another well-known piece of history is that of Motala Verkstad, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year! Baltzar von Paten began construction of the Göta Canal in Motala in May 1810, but it was not completed until 1832. This was heavy and demanding work. After a while, they realised the importance of skilled labour, being able to manufacture what was needed for canal construction, and the benefit of having their own repair workshop. In 1822, Baltzar von Platen took the initiative to establish what would become Motala Verkstad. And the rest is history.

Tourist Information

Motala Visitor Service Visiting address summer season: Motala town square, Stora torget Tel. +46(0)141-101 205 upplev@motala.se · www.motalasjostad.se Follow us on Facebook and Instagram For an updated list of events, see www.motalasjostad.se

InfoPoints in Motala municipality: • Best Western Motala Stadshotell • Motala Library • Borensberg Library • Brunneby Musteri Charlottenborg Manor House • Hotell Carl Friman • Hotell Östermalm • ICA near Tjällmo • Kaffeteriet • Lindgården Miniature Golf Course • Fornåsa Flea Market • Mallboden Café & Hostel • Medevi ProSalus / Medevi Ointment • Motala Motor Museum / Hotell Nostalgi • Rapps Photo • Sveriges Rundradiomuseum (Swedish Broadcasting Museum) • Övralid

Old Motala Verkstad area.

Motala Verkstad would be known as the cradle of Swedish industrial engineering, and it became one of the country's leading industries. The list of things the company has manufactured is long, but it includes steam boilers, railway locomotives, ships and bridges, just to name few. The company has won several prizes at world fairs. Motala Verkstad has had enormous importance for the city of Motala, and is still active today as a manufacturer of high-quality products.

An entire working community emerged around the company, which is now called the Motala Verkstad area. This area, located near Göta Canal, is popular among both Motala residents and visitors. This area has an atmosphere of time gone by, a true spiritual centre. The Motala Industrial Museum displays the entire intriguing history of Motala Verkstad. In the old shipbuilding sheds next to the dry dock, you can enjoy a delicious waffle at the café or spend the night at a hostel. In summer, there are also several guided tours of the area. There are also audio guides that describe the history of the area in Swedish and English. The distance of the Göta Canal through the the city of Motala is 3.5 km. The old towpaths along the canal are perfect for walking or cycling. Make sure to visit Göta Canal’s steepest ‘staircase’ of five interconnected locks at Borenshult, where the water runs into Lake Boren. Göta Canal continues in Borensberg.

Nature lovers will likely appreciate the Östgötaleden trail, part of which winds around Motala. This is a perfect place to get an overview of the city, a combination of nature and culture. In the Råssnäs recreation area, active families can try a challenging obstacle course. Check the website naturkartan.se/motala for more tips on adventures in nature. Make sure to visit Borensberg, the little town by Göta Canal. Borensberg is within easy cycling distance from Motala, and offers quaint shops and lovely beaches.

Obstacle course at Råssnäs recreation area.