Situated in the east-central part of Sweden, Gävle lies northwest of Stockholm, along an inlet of the Gulf of Bothnia. Originally a small fishing village, the town received its first charter in the 15th century

It soon rose to a position of prominence as the chief exporter for the iron mined in the Bergslagen area. Even today, it’s the main industrial and trading centre in Norrland and produces a wide range of goods, from leather and porcelain to paper and ships.

Gävle has a number of interesting sights to see; chief among these are the Castle which is now the residence of the governor; the Trefaldighetskyrkan or the Church of the Holy Trinity, best known for its beautiful altar and baptismal font; and the Lansmuseet, with its collection of art and artefacts from across the county. Gävle, in fact, has a number of museums, all of them worth a visit- provided you’re interested. On the list are the National Railway Museum, the Forestry Museum and the Joe Hill Museum (the last, dedicated to a local lad who made a name- though dubious- for himself as a trade unionist in the USA). Within the town are lots of interesting old buildings, parks, squares and streets that are great for exploring on foot.

A little out of town are the quiet seaside villages of Bonan and Utvalsnas, both known for their excellent herring- local catch which is smoked in the villages and sold. Further afield lies the popular resort of Furuviks, a must-see for those who like the sea and the sand; while south-east of Gävle is the Viking burial ground at Järvsta.