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From Emmaboda the Kalmar Line runs to the W., passing
(59 Kil.) Lindas and (73 Kil.) Örsjö. From (87 Kil.) Nybro a
branch-line diverges to the iron-works (Jernbruk) of Säfsjöström.
99 Kil. (öl1^ M.) Trekanten. The train now emerges from the
pine-forest and reaches a more smiling coast landscape, where
birches, oaks, and beeches make their appearance. In the distance
the island of Öland is visible (see p. 392). 106 Kil. Smedby.
114 Kil. (71 M.) Kalmar (Witt’s Hotel; Central-Hotellet; Hotel
Le Grand; English vice-consul, Mr. C. O. Soderbergh), a very
ancient town with 12,000inhab., situated partly on the mainland
and partly on two islands in the Kalmarsund, and famous in early
Swedish history as the scene of the conclusion of the Kalmar Union
(p. lviii), by which an attempt was made for the first time to unite
the three Scandinavian kingdoms.
The chief object of interest is the fine old *Castle, known as
the Kalmarnahus, a large quadrangular edifice, with towers,
ramparts, and moats, on a small island connected by a causeway with
the mainland. It existed as early as the year 1200, was rebuilt
in 1337, enlarged after 1536, and restored and embellished by
John III. at the end of the 16th century. This venerable building
has undergone many vicissitudes. After having withstood eleven
sieges and been the frequent residence of kings and princes, it
was converted by Gnstavus III. into a distillery, and a windmill
was even erected upon the highest tower. The Unions-Sal, the
largest room in the castle (where, however, the famous treaty was
not signed), was used by Gustavus IV. as a granary. It has,
however, been restored. Among the other rooms is Gamla
Kongs-gemaket (‘old kings’ apartment’), which was once occupied hy
the ill-starred Eric XIV. The inlaid panelling in the deep-set
windows of this apartment has lately been restored and is very
fine. In the park is an iron monument commemorating Gustavus
Vasa’s return from Liibeck in May, 1520, when he first set foot
again on Swedish soil at Stensö, 3 Kil. to the S.W. of Kalmar.
A Latin inscription here is by Louis XVIII., who visited Sweden
in 1804 during his exile.
The * Cathedral, designed by Tessin, was built in stone from
the quarries of Öland in 1660-99. It stands on the island of
Qvarn-holmen, in the middle of the town. To the S. lies the Railway
Station.
To the N. of the town is (3 Kil.) Skälby, with a fine park.
About 20 Kil. to the S. are the curious round churches otHagby and
Voxtorp (resembling that of Solna near Stockholm, p. 346), and
still farther the famous Brömsebro, or bridge over the Brömsebäck.
which once formed the boundary between Swedish and Danish
territory. On a small island in the stream are the Bromsestenar,
which are said once to have marked the frontier. By the Peace of
Brömsebro in 1645 Sweden recovered her independence and the
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