Sweden Guide
The Bothnian coast
Luleå
The last city on the Bothnian Coast, LULEÅ lies at one end of the Malmbanan, the iron-ore railway that connects the ice-locked Gulf of Bothnia with the ice-free Norwegian port of Narvik in the Norwegian Sea. If you're heading north for the wilds of Gällivare and Kiruna, or to the sparsely populated regions inland, it's a good idea to spend a day or so here enjoying the lively atmosphere, the sights and the impressive range of bars and restaurants: Luleå is the last oasis in a frighteningly vast area of forest and wilderness spreading north and west.
Luleå was founded in 1621 around the medieval church and parish village of nearby Gammelstad (meaning Old Town). Even in those days trade with Stockholm was important, and Gammelstad's tiny harbour soon proved inadequate to the task. In 1649, by royal command, the city was moved lock, stock and barrel to its present site – only the church and parish village remained behind. Shipping is still an important part of the local economy (in summer, you'll see a fleet of huge icebreakers resting in the harbour), but over recent years Luleå has become the high-tech centre of northern Sweden, specializing in metallurgy, research and education.
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