Pages

Wednesday 30 September 2009

Bikes

There are more than 60 000 students in Gothenburg; hence there should be as many bikes. One can go by bike almost everywhere here, there are great bicycle paths and many students save up some money biking. This picture is taken outside of the school of economics, Handels.

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Fika

Gothenburg is known for all its cafes, in the springtime there will be crowds of people enjoying open-air cafes in the pale sun. There is even a Swedish word, "fika" that can not be translated to any other language. It means having a coffee and a cookie with friends on a café. This is an open-air café that belongs to a church. It is really cosy in the summer.



Monday 28 September 2009

More KTB

KTB was designed by the architect Hans Hedlund who came from was a very successful family. He has designed several houses on Vasagatan, amongst others KTB and lots of important building all over Gothenburg. Pity the University does not build libraries like that anymore. Look at all the details!



Sunday 27 September 2009

A place to hook up

This building was inaugurated in 1900 as the town library. It is a beautiful construction not only on the outside but on the inside too, with huge wall paintings, pretty floors and tasteful details on the ceiling. Today it is not the town library anymore, but yet a library that stores course litterateur and newspapers. It is called Kurs- och tidningsbiblioteket or simply KTB. Students, especially from the school of economics, go there to study in the big, silent hall or to hook up with somebody since it is apparently a great place to do so.

Saturday 26 September 2009

Theatre

I have posted a photo of the back of the "Stora Teatern" before, today I am posting a photo of the front.

Friday 25 September 2009

Semi-circular room

This cylindric construction, Guldhedens norra vattentorn, is a water tower built in 1935. Well spotted you! Why would they put windows up in a water tower? The truth is that it used to be a water tower, recently it was rebuilt and turned into apartments for students. I wonder how one furnishes a semi-circular room?

Thursday 24 September 2009

Colours

The best part of the autumn is the beginning, before all leaves have fallen down, turned brown and dried up. This picture is taken in the same area as the three previous ones and just can not get enough of the beautiful colours.



Wednesday 23 September 2009

Misplaced

I can not help myself from smiling; the simple holiday houses and gardens remind me of an allotment area on the countryside where I used to spend my summer holidays. Imagine the countryside with muddy roads and roaming cows. I guess that is why I find the tower blocks in the background and sound of the trams very misplaced. But it still makes this place unique.


Tuesday 22 September 2009

First in Gothenburg

It does look welcoming, does it not? I found out that Änggårdskolonin was founded in 1913! Hence, it was the first allotment area in Gothenburg. There are about 50 little houses and the owners arrange different activities together. I guess that having a little house and garden to take care of is something I expect every senior citizen to dream about.

Monday 21 September 2009

Änggårdskolonin

On my way to the university I passed an allotment area called "Änggårdskolonin". The first time I noticed it I was really surprised. Who would expect to find cute little houses with well-cared gardens in the middle of town? Close to the hospital and university? Without any doubt, Gothenburg is full of surprises.

Sunday 20 September 2009

When autumn knocks on the door...

Except from the shorter days, colder wind and rain there are some nice things about the autumn. All the combinations of colour! Like these ripening rowanberries against a blue sky.

Saturday 19 September 2009

On the Road

A lot of boats pass here everyday, probably on their way to the huge lake up north called Värnen.

Friday 18 September 2009

Lipstick

This photo is taken from Hisingsbron on the way from the mainland to Hisingen. The red skyscraper is one of the taller buildings in Gothenburg. Due to all the clay we have to keep it low here. What is most catchy about this building is not that it is red but that it is called Läppstiftet, or in English – the Lipstick. If one looks closely its funny shape and red colour does make it resemble a lipstick. It contains mainly offices but on the top floor there is a café from where one can enjoy the view over Gothenburg.


Thursday 17 September 2009

Aftonstjärnan

The english translation of Aftonstjärnan is Evening Star. There is a story to this building. It all started as a temperance society in 1892, founded by the shipyard workers. They arranged parties, lectures and soon also had a few who where performing on stage. It was time to build an own house to hang out in. Sadly, the first building burnt down why they decided to build Aftonstjärnan in 1903. The temperance society kept their meetings there, parties, lectures, shows and so on. At some point they sold the building and since then a lot of things have been going on there. For instance, it was used as a sweetie factory! Today it still functions as a theatre but mainly as a cinema.

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Östan

On the opposite side of Västan stands the other sculpture, Östan which I guess is symbolising the wind from the east. The artist that has made it them is called Torsten Jurell.

Tuesday 15 September 2009

Västan

Along the nice river walk on Älvstranden there are several sculptures with a common theme - the wind. Amongst others there is the Temple of the Winds of which I have recently posted a photo. This sculpture is called Västan and I think it refers to the wind blowing from the west. It reminds of a totem pole and I think it is very pretty. Apparently, there are supposed to be four of these sculptures along the river walk, one for each cardinal direction.

Monday 14 September 2009

Slottsberget

Some months ago when I was taking a walk I decided to explore a new route. If somebody would have blindfolded my eyes and dropped me off there I would never have guessed that I was in Gothenburg. This neighbourhood, consisting of 24 houses, is placed on a hill called Slottsberget and it is unique in many ways. It reminds me of a picturesque fishermen village not at all of something belonging in Gothenburg! The houses are more than 100 years old and have an exceptional view over the harbour entrance. It is impossible not to fall in love with this place. When the shipyards were prospering in Gothenburg one built these houses for the shipyard workers. That is what I call a work privilege! Today there is rarely a house for sale there and if there is, it is awfully expensive.

Sunday 13 September 2009

Älvsborgsbron

The mint green suspension bridge is called Älvsborgsbron and was built in 1966. It connects the island Hisingen with the mainland, thus it is a busy bridge with more than 65 000 cars passing each day. Even if Älvsborgsbron is one three connections between Hisingen and the mainland the heavy traffic is a current issue in Gothenburg and one are discussing to build yet another bridge or tunnel.

Saturday 12 September 2009

From above

Ten years ago there were hardly any buildings around this little harbour. Today it is one of Gothenburg's most expensive and popular neighbourhoods. The little harbour called Sannegårdshamnen was built in 1908 and was primary used for management of carbon and cokes. Nowadays it is decorated with fancy sailing boats and up-market yachts.

Friday 11 September 2009

Time to get a move on

The white steeple I mentioned the other day is a bit clearer on this photo. It is somewhere in the middle. I do not have too much to add today, I will let the photo speak for itself. As I have said before this is my favourite part of Gothenburg and I love everything about these surroundings. It is just about time to get a move on with our guided tour.

Thursday 10 September 2009

Nordic Walking

When walking on the streets in Gothenburg, especially in the residential areas, one will eventually run into an elderly person performing what is called “Nordic walking”. Apparently, this type of exercise was invented by people who skied during the winter and who wanted to stay fit during the summer too. Nowadays it seems to be a very popular activity among the grandparents. I will say, whatever keep their hearts fine.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Peeking at the mainland

I have no intention to boast, but I am very fond of this photo. It catches the spirit of Sannegårdshamnen and at the same time it gives a glimpse of the mainland. The area on the other side of the river is called Majorna. If you look closely in the right corner of the blurry part you will notice a white steeple. It belongs to a church called Carl-Johanskyrkan. I promise to take you to Majorna someday and present a less blurry photo of the cosy neighbourhood.

Tuesday 8 September 2009

There is no place like home

I have been away on vacation in Miami for a while and for that reason I had to take a break from this blog. Now I am back, fit for fight and really looking forward to entertain you! The autumn is closing in on Gothenburg but I will recycle some the photos I took in August before I left. I plan to continue the theme "my place", hence Sannegårdshamnen, and its wonderful surroundings.


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails