Mariestad travel guide

Mariestad is a city (coor pop. 20,000 ; area 10 km²). in Västergötland, Sweden and the seat of Mariestad Municipality, Västra Götaland County. It was until 1997 the capital of the former Skaraborg County and an episcopal see until 1646.
The city was founded in 1583 by Duke Charles, who later became King Charles IX of Sweden. The city is named after his wife Marie of Pfalz. The coat of arms for Mariestad, an ox stepping out of the water, is said to be what Marie of Pfalz saw by the bay of Tidan in Mariestad when she first arrived there.
Mariestad is one of two Swedish cities with a cathedral whitout a bishop's seat (the other being Kalmar). Mariestad had a bishop during the 17th century, but the diocese was later merged with the Diocese of Skara. (...) more....