Gränna

Gränna
View of Gränna in 2005
Gränna Gränna
Coordinates: 58°01′N 14°28′E
Country	Sweden
Province	Småland
County	Jönköping County
Municipality	Jönköping Municipality
Area
• Total	1.87 km2 (0.72 sq mi)
Population  (31 December 2018)
• Total	2,665
• Density	1,677/km2 (4,340/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Climate	Dfb

Gränna (pronunciation^ⓘ) is a locality in Jönköping Municipality, Jönköping County, Sweden with 2,665 inhabitants in 2018. Founded in 1652 by Count Per Brahe, it is in Småland on the eastern shores of the lake Vättern, about 40 km north of Jönköping.

History and Academic Development

The town is at the foot of Gränna mountain and is characterized by its steep streets and old wooden houses.

Up until the local government reform of 1971, Gränna and its immediate surroundings constituted a city municipality of its own; since then it has become an integral part of Jönköping Municipality.

Gränna is, despite its small population, for historical reasons often still referred to as a city. Statistics Sweden, however, only counts localities with more than 10,000 inhabitants as cities.

Gränna is known for its red and white polkagris (literally "polka pig" in Swedish) stick candy, also known as peppermint rock. This was first made by the widow Amalia Eriksson in 1859. A statue of Amalia can now be seen in the park at the foot of Gränna mountain. The town is popular with tourists and is a connection point for the ferry service to the island Visingsö.

The balloonist Salomon August Andrée, who died in an attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon, was born in Gränna. The Grenna Museum hosts an exhibition of the expedition together with a comprehensive collection of related objects and photos.

Students studying Pathway Program at Jönköping University have the privilege of living and studying in Gränna. Campus Gränna is situated in the Centre of Gränna. Buses depart from Gränna to Jönkoping every half hour and it takes approximately 30-45 minutes to travel between the location.

Campus Gränna's development dates back to Grennaskolan, which at the time was a national boarding school and later became Jönköping University's campus. Campus Gränna has been through several significant milestones, including when it became the Pathway Program Centre and started its collaboration with Jönköping University, making many changes in its educational offerings.

Campus Gränna inhabits the Jönköping University environment, enabling collaborative projects, joint academic initiatives and cultural exchanges. Campus collaborates with the local community through partnerships, outreach programs, and community events, which leads to a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Brahehus, Gränna, Sweden

Brahehus

Brahehus is a historic landmark located on a hilltop above lake Vättern, near the town of Gränna, in southern Sweden. The site offers a stunning panoramic view of the lake and surrounding landscape, making it a popular destination for visitors and tourists.

Historical Significance

The Brahehus castle was built in the early 17th century by the prominent Swedish noble family, the Brahe family, who were influential in Sweden during that time. The family owned vast estates, and Brahehus was intended as a symbol of their power and wealth. The construction of the castle began in 1638, under the direction of architect Carl Cederström, and it was designed in the Renaissance style. However, the castle was never completed due to financial difficulties, and the project was halted after the death of Per Brahe the Younger in 1680.

Destruction by Fire

In 1708, Brahehus was tragically destroyed by a fire, which reduced it to ruins. Despite this, the remaining parts of the castle's large, imposing walls are still visible today and continue to draw tourists and history enthusiasts.

View of Vättern lake from Brahehus

Tourism

The ruins of Brahehus are now part of the Brahehus Nature Reserve, which makes it a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the castle ruins, hike the surrounding nature trails, and enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Vättern. The site also features a nearby lookout tower that offers a spectacular view of the lake and the countryside.

Connection to the Brahe Family

The Brahe family, for whom the castle is named, played a significant role in Swedish history. One of the most famous members of the family was Tycho Brahe, a renowned astronomer who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of astronomy during the late 16th century. Although Tycho Brahe was not directly associated with the construction of Brahehus, his family's legacy remains a defining feature of the castle's historical importance.

Symbol of Heritage

Though it was never fully completed and eventually fell into ruin, Brahehus remains a symbol of Swedish aristocracy in the 17th century and an example of the ambitious architecture of the period. Today, the site blends history, nature, and architectural ruins, making it a fascinating place to visit.

Campus Gränna

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  Gränna harbour
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  Local museum
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  Church
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  Statue of Amalia Eriksson

Gränna in popular culture

• When Niklas Strömstedt wrote lyrics in Swedish for the musical Mamma Mia!, Glasgow was replaced by "Gränna" as the place which the singer calls from in the lyrics of the song Super Trouper.

Grenna Museum 2

Gränna (Grenna) Museum Gränna Museum is a museum located in the town of Gränna, Sweden, with a key focus on the history and legacy of Salomon August Andrée, the Swedish engineer and polar explorer who led the famous 1897 Andrée Polar Expedition to the North Pole.

Grenna Museum 3

History Gränna Museum was founded in 1935, and it has since become a vital institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Andrée Expedition. Salomon August Andrée's ill-fated attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon remains one of the most significant episodes in Swedish polar exploration history. The museum holds numerous artifacts, documents, and memorabilia related to the expedition.

Salomon August Andrée and the 1897 Polar Expedition In 1897, Andrée and his team, consisting of Nils Strindberg and Knut Fraenkel, embarked on a daring expedition to the North Pole. They traveled by hot air balloon, which was a novel and ambitious method for polar exploration at the time. The expedition aimed to reach the North Pole via the Arctic's high-altitude air currents, but the journey ended tragically when the balloon was forced to land due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The team attempted to continue their journey on foot, but they ultimately perished in the Arctic wilderness. Their fate remained unknown for over three decades, until the remains of the expedition were discovered in 1930 on the coast of Kongsfjorden in Norway. The discovery of the team's diaries, photographs, and scientific data was pivotal in understanding their journey and the challenges they faced.

Exhibitions Gränna Museum houses an extensive exhibition dedicated to the 1897 Andrée Polar Expedition. The museum preserves key artifacts from the expedition, including Andrée’s scientific equipment, personal diaries, photographs, and maps that were found after the team's remains were discovered. The exhibition narrates the ill-fated journey of the expedition, highlighting both the scientific ambitions and the personal stories of the explorers.

Visitors can also learn about the historical context of polar exploration during the late 19th century, when adventurers like Andrée sought to expand the boundaries of human knowledge in extreme conditions. The museum's display of the Andrée Expedition’s equipment, such as the balloon and instruments used for meteorological measurements, offers a rare glimpse into the early days of Arctic exploration.

Legacy of the Expedition The 1897 Andrée Polar Expedition is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious and tragic attempts to reach the North Pole. Despite the failure of the journey, Andrée's expedition has had a lasting impact on both Swedish and international exploration. The museum provides an in-depth look at the explorers' contributions to the field of polar science and their enduring legacy in the history of human exploration.

The Andrée Expedition is an important chapter in the history of Gränna, as it connects the town to the broader narrative of Arctic exploration. The museum serves as a place to honor the bravery and determination of these explorers who sought to venture into the unknown, despite the risks and challenges they faced.

Accessibility The museum is located in Gränna, a picturesque town by the shores of Lake Vättern in southern Sweden. It is within walking distance of other historical landmarks in the town, making it a popular destination for those interested in Swedish history and exploration. The museum is open year-round, offering both permanent and temporary exhibitions on polar exploration and the Andrée Expedition.

Grenna Museum 3

Grenna Museum 4

External links

• Gränna-Visingsö Tourist Information
• Grenna Museum - Andréexpedition Polarcenter
• Länsstyrelsen Jönköping - Brahehus
• Visit Sweden - Brahehus

Gränna Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.grannamuseum.se. Wikström, A. (2001). Salomon August Andrée: The Forgotten Expedition. Stockholm: Swedish Polar Research Institute.