Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Kalmar county

S:ta Gertruds Kyrka (St. Gertrud’s Church) was built in the 1450’s after King Eric of Pomerania had ordered to move the town of Västervik from Gamleby to its current location. The city was destroyed in a battle in 1517 and inhabitants moved back to the old city. After King Gustav Vasa ordered them to move back, St. Gertrud’s Church was restored as a Lutheran church. It was once again destroyed in 1612 during the battle against Denmark. The church was renovated and enlarged until 1739. Religious services were held in the church for nearly 500 years, until the last morning service was held there one Sunday in 1905. In the same year Västervik became a new church and St. Gertrud’s Church was used for grain storage during the First World War. The church was re-established as a place of worship and in June 1933 St. Gertrud’s Church was re-inaugurated. S:ta Gertruds Kyrka has many valuable items of furniture include like a pulpit and organ from 1743, which is considered to be one of Sweden’s most valuable, an altarpiece from the late 1600’s. I was really impressed by some beautifully painted ceilings (main picture).

Old water pump on a square, next to the St:a Gertruds Kyrka (St:a Gertruds church). This old water pump was one of several public water pumps in Västervik that was used before the town council decided to build a modern water- and pluming system in order to improve health and hygiene. The new and modern system became in use in the year of 1906. Most probably the water pump has been placed in the area before 1906, because there have been different public buildings nearby, like a school and a home for poor and elderly people, both built in the 19th century. .

Strömsrum is one of these ‘in the middle of nowhere’ hamlets in Sweden’s countryside. It has just a few Falu red painted (farm)houses, and a beautiful mansion. Strömsrum is situated in a beautiful park landscape with old oak trees, which is bisected by the slow flowing river Alsterån. Strömsrum slott - one of the oldest wooden mansions in the country - is dating back to the year of 1312 (see PiP).