The Castle ruins of Kronoberg (swedish), among the best-preserved Renaissance ruins in Sweden, are situated on a tiny coastal island in Lake Helgasjön.
The castle of Kronoberg played a central role in the tax revolt led by Nils Dacke
in the 1540s. In the winter of 1542-43, an uprising against the king was spearheaded from the episcopal fortress. Kronoberg castle was completed
in the late sixteenth century; at its height it was armed with some sixty cannon,
which dissuaded the Danes from attacking in 1612.

Since the mid-seventeenth century, Kronoberg has been abandoned.
The ruins are under the care of Smålands museum, and are open daily during
the summer months.

The steamer Thor

Smålands museum is the only provincial museum in Sweden that operates its own ship. Casting off from its home port adjacent to the castle ruins of Kronoberg ,
the steamer Thor, built in 1887 and still in active service, plies the waters of Lake Helgasjön during the summer months. Sweden's southernmost lock, at Åby,
was completed the same year the Thor was built. The lock is still in use, and a trip through it on the Thor is a memory for life. The steamer Thor(swedish) is a must for lovers of steam power. Charters and scheduled passenger tours are available.

For information on schedules and prices,
call Smålands museum (0470-70 42 00)
reception@smalandsmuseum.se
or Ryttmästaregården (0470-63000, open May-August).