So many new things to discover in Gamla Linköping

Since the beginning of 2023, Linköping has an entire detective house that pays tribute to Sweden's bestselling children's book author, Martin Widmark, who was born and raised in the city.

He has sold a total of over 15 million books and is at the top of the library's most borrowed authors list. The Whodunit Detective Agency (Swedish: LasseMajas detektivbyrå) is his biggest and most popular creation.

The Whodunit Detective Agency in Linköping has a storyline that is similar to TV4's hit adventure “Fångarna på fortet” (“The prisoners in the fort”), where a group of between three to six people visit seven different cells to figure out who committed the crime in the mystery.

“LasseMaja is such a widely recognised brand, and it makes Gamla Linköping much more attractive as a tourist destination. In addition to his many book titles, there are also several films and TV series about the young detectives. For families with children, Gamla Linköping will clearly be a great addition to nearby Astrid Lindgren’s World and Kolmården Wildlife Park. And once in Gamla Linköping, they will realize that there is so much more to discover, everything from Linköping's largest playground, to ‘tuff-tuff’ trains and lots of animals”, says Jörgen Nilsson, who is responsible for the hospitality industry at Visit Linköping & Co.

“There has been a good flow of visitors to the detective house since it opened, and we look forward to the summer, which is the busiest season by far. We really prioritise families with children, and there is a lot for them to do here. We also have a lot of destinations and good variety to offer other target groups, from shopping in unique shops, museums, food and drink and around 50 beautiful gardens that are open to the public”, emphasizes Tina Karlsson From, museum director at Gamla Linköping.

On 6 June, another new attraction will premier in Gamla Linköping, just in time for the high season. It will be called “Tidernas sommar”.

“We will be opening a new museum environment in Lofthuset, where we depict the home of a poor family from the 1930s. A permanent environment both indoors and outdoors, which we believe will attract interest. We always try to create something new every year”, says Tina.

The unique shops that are scattered around Gamla Linköping are definitely worth a visit. One of these shops is Historiska Kompaniet, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. As the Swedish name suggests, it is a historically oriented shop that offers an assortment of goods inspired by the 19th-century on two floors.

“You might say that we sell everything you can imagine – and can’t imagine. We have wait times for the impossible items”, laugh Molle Johansson and Helena Ängebrink, who are co-owners and partners both at home and at work.

There is a wide variety of interior fittings, handicrafts, curiosities and “things you didn't know existed”.

“Everything from baskets to cast iron. And upstairs we have linen and wool fabrics that have been specially selected to be suitable for historical reenactments”, Molle says. We have been running the shop for ten years now and Gamla Linköping is a lovely area. We look forward to being involved and helping it grow”.

In 2022, Just Wood – a shop that sells only wood products and was previously located in central Linköping – moved into the premises previously occupied by woodcarver Kanevad. Stina Gunnarsson, who owns and runs the shop, is also a woodcarver by trade, though she works with many forms of wood including hardwood, softwood and liquid wood.

“Kanevad was here for 60 years, so there is an incredible amount of history, and it feels great to run the store right here. Many of the modern wooden creations that I sell are things that I make myself. My workshop is next door. I make everything from wooden jewellery to wood-based clothing and other accessories. And some of Kanevad's products are still available”, Stina explains.

She is happy that she decided to invest in the store full-time. Her shop in the City was more of a showroom/studio.

“The move to Gamla Linköping has been very positive. It's a fantastic tourist destination that's all about experiences, and it's really fun that the visitors also get the full wood experience and I can show them that wood is the future”, emphasizes Stina.

Now it has been announced that Fenomenmagasinet science center will move to a brand new location at Valla Gård. Fenomenmagasinet focuses on awakening an interest in science and technology among children and young people by creating a space where visitors can experience and explore everyday phenomena such as electricity, optics and the human body. The science centre is expected to be fully moved in to its new premises in the second half of 2025.

“A detective house based on an internationally known brand, unique shops, educational and beautiful cultural environments, Linköping's largest playground, and the upcoming Fenomenmagasinet – all in a city that boasts Sweden's largest aquatic centre and is situated halfway between Astrid Lindgren's World and Kolmården Wildlife Park. Linköping's visitor numbers have been rising sharply for more than 10 years. A trend I think will only continue. Come pay us a visit”, says Jörgen.