Choose another map, showing:

• Scandinavia
• Europe
• Greenland
• Eurasia
• Eurasia, Africa & Pacific
• The World

Other entries in Luleå

Lulea

Lulea was a major metropolitan area in comparison to the locales I'd been visiting for the last week or so. Its pleasantly situated at the northwestern top of the Baltic sea, but it's recessed behind several islands so I never actually saw the open sea. Way back in the 1600s or so the town was several kilometers inland when the sea level was higher. As the land rose after the receeding glaciers and the harbors grew more and more shallow and inaccessible, the town officials decided to move the town down to its current location. What's with moving whole towns up here?!

The biggest tourist site is the Gamla Stan, the old church town. Its a World Heritage site of over 400 small red cabins clustered around a large old medieval church. In the homestead era, this church served all the communities for miles around. Going to church would be a whole weekend affair and so villagers built cottages around the church to spend the weekend. Of course this custom also benefitted trade and communication. They have a working farm on site demonstrating how life was in the 1600s. And beyond the farm is a nature reserve around a lake which is quickly becoming marshland.

There's not much else to commend Lulea, although the town is very active and the people incredibly friendly. Its highly enjoyable just walking around town, taking in the scene and finishing a nice afternoon out on the boardwalk by the water.

Add to del.icio.us Add to reddit