Ostrogothia

Ostrogothia, or Östergötland (literally "Eastern Götaland"), is a historical province or landskap in the south of Sweden. It borders to Smalandia, Westrogothia, Nericia, Sudermannia and to the Baltic Sea.

Östergötland Land Götaland County Östergötland Area 9,987 km² Provincial flower - Swedish - Latin Cornflower Blåklint Centaurea cyanus Provincial animal Mute swan Provincial fish Pike

Table of contents

1 County 2 History 3 Geography 4 Culture 5 Heraldry 6 External links

County

For current affairs see: Östergötland

The County of Östergötland has virtually the same boundaries as the province of Ostrogothia.

History

Main article: History of Ostrogothia

Chartered cities before 1971:

• Linköping (1287)
• Mjölby (1922)
• Motala (1881)
• Norrköping (1384)
• Skänninge (approximately 1200)
• Söderköping (approximately 1200)
• Vadstena (approximately 1400)

Its tradition goes back into the undocumented iron age and viking age prehistory, when this region had its own king and law. The region kept its own laws Östgötalagen, into the medieval times and the unification of Sweden. Traditionally, the region is divided into two halfs, east and west of the river Stångån, which flows from the south into lake Roxen at Linköping.

Togeather Östergötland (Ostrogothia) and Västergötland (Westrogothia) constitutes Götaland proper. Götaland was one of the constituent lands at the unification into one Swedish kingdom in the Middle Ages.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Ostrogothia

• Highest mountain: Stenabohöjden 327 meters
• Largest lake: Vättern

The eastern part of Göta canal traverses the province from the Baltic sea at Mem to lake Vättern at Motala.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Ostrogothia

Ekenäs Castle, one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden, has belonged to the families Sture and Banér. Löfstad Castle has its origin in the early 17th century having belonged to the von Fersen family. Vadstena Castle, built by the Vasa dynasty 1545-1620, is combined fortress and renaissance castle.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Ostrogothia

From 1560 Ostrogothia was represented with two separate arms until 1884 when the current one was granted. The arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Gules a Griffin with Dragon Wings, Tail and Tongue rampant Or armed, beaked, langued and membered Azure between four Roses Argent."

External links

• Östergötland - Tourist site
• Ekenäs Castle
• Löfstad Castle