Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
youmay findatemporary art exhibit here: The curators usually choose amod-
ern theme to give visitors a refreshing break from the Renaissance.
The Old Town, near the Castle
The tidy, quiet residential zone between the castle and the town center is ac-
tually more rewarding to explore than downtown Kalmar. For centuries, this
was
the town center of Kalmar. But it burned down in 1647, and sat deser-
ted for a century. Now it's a toy village of colorfully painted wooden homes,
tidy yards, and perfect picket fences. Locals still call it the Old Town (Gamla
Stan), even though almost everything here is newer than the buildings on
Kvarnholmen, now the heart of town.
Consider a slight detour strolling through this neighborhood on your way
from the town center to the castle. I've connected the sights in this area with
some self-guided commentary.
From the train station at the edge of Kvarnholmen, walk along the tracks
(toward Växjö) until your first opportunity to cross over. Across the tracks is
Slottsvägen, a pleasant, tree-shaded boulevard that leads to the castle. (If you
want to visit the castle first, head up this drag to do it now.) At the start of this
boulevard, take the angled, cobbled street on the right (Västerlånggatan). The
grand mansion you'll walk behind once belonged to the prestigious Jeansson
family, who donated the parkland near the castle to the town (now the Slott-
