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Guided tours in English for pre-booked groups

Town Hall Square - Storgatan - Helgeandsgården - Abbey Pax Mariae - Lake front promenade - Vadstena Monastery and Abbey Church - Red Tower - Bishop's House

Between Wasa Castle and the Monastery Quarter, Vadstena's old town stretches out with its narrow streets and alleys, giving it a medieval feel. There are more than thirty heritage buildings, the oldest of which date back to the founding of the town and the monastery from the 15th century onwards. Of interest is the Town Hall Square with Sweden's oldest preserved town hall from 1460 and various buildings from all centuries. This city walk combines a relaxing stroll with a journey of discovery through the city and its history.

Language: English, German, Swedish, French, Spanish
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours
Participants: max. 25-30 people / group and guide
Price:
Monday-Friday: 2125 SEK incl. VAT
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 2500 SEK incl. VAT
Minor groups:
Monday-Friday: 170 SEK per person, minimum 1020 SEK incl. VAT.
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 200 SEK per person, minimum 1200 SEK incl. VAT.

The above description follows the "traditional" route. However, we are happy to adapt the tour to specific requests and themes.

In the revelations of St. Birgitta, there are detailed specifications on how the monastery and church should be built. The church was to be simple, humble and strong, a hall church with three naves of equal height, fifteen cross vaults without painted windows, and with whitewashed interior walls. Limestone from the quarry in Borghamn, south of Vadstena, was used as construction material.

The monastery was built as part of an awakening movement, and the monastery grounds were designed to accommodate visitors from near and far. In order to make room for a large, open meeting place, the church received its entrance in the east with the high altar in the west, completely contrary to ecclesiastical custom. The pilgrims had access to the church corridor, while the nuns' choir was located on a gallery in the nave. The monks had their choir in the western part of the church. The monastery was consecrated in 1384 and the church in 1430.

In the church, there are several medieval objects, among them several altars and the two best-known Birgitta statues, the "realistic" and the "visionary" Birgitta. Birgitta's reliquary contains remains of both Birgitta and her daughter Katarina.

Languages: English, German, Swedish, French, Spanish
Time: 1 hour
Participants: max. 25-30 people / group and guide
Price:
Monday-Friday: 1750 SEK incl. VAT
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 2125 SEK incl. VAT
Mini groups:
Monday-Friday: 140 SEK per person, minimum 840 SEK incl. VAT.
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 170 SEK per person, minimum 1020 SEK incl. VAT.
Entrance fee to the abbey church:
30 SEK/adult plus 250 SEK per group with guide.

The tour of Vadstena Abbey Church can be concluded or combined with a visit to the Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum or a city walk.

UpplevVadstena AB
Skedagatan 208, 592 93 Borghamn
 +46-143-201 19,  +46-76-765 1317

Vadstena Abbey and Abbey church

In 1346 King Magnus Eriksson and Queen Blanka bequeathed their royal palace from about 1260 for the foundation of a royal burial church with an adjoining monastery. At the same time, Birgitta Birgersdotter received revelations in which God gave her the task of establishing a new monastic order based in Vadstena. In the end, Birgitta's vision became reality, and Vadstena became the mother monastery of the Order of the Most Holy Savior and Birgitta, respectively.

In the revelations of St. Birgitta, there are detailed specifications on how the monastery and church should be built. The church was to be simple, humble, and strong, a hall church with three naves of equal height, fifteen cross vaults without painted windows, and whitewashed interior walls. Limestone from the quarry in Borghamn, south of Vadstena, was used as construction material.

Languages: English, German, Swedish, French, Spanish
Time: 1 hour
Participants: max. 25-30 people / group and guide
Price:
Monday-Friday: 1750 SEK incl. VAT
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 2125 SEK incl. VAT
Mini groups:
Monday-Friday: 140 SEK per person, minimum 840 SEK incl. VAT.
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 170 SEK per person, minimum 1020 SEK incl. VAT.
Entrance fee to the abbey church:
30 SEK/adult plus 250 SEK per group with guide.

The tour of Vadstena Abbey Church can be concluded or combined with a visit to the Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum.

Birgittawalk + Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum
Language: English, German, Swedish, French, Spanish
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Participants: max. 25-30 people / group and guide
Price: on request.

Vadstena Hospital - Mårten Skinnare's House - Great Madhouse - Former Hospital Museum - Dahlströmska Gården - Lars Wilhelm Gahne's Grave - Empiren - Abbey Quarter at the time of the hospital.

In Vadstena, Sweden's first central hospital for the insane was established in 1826 and Sweden's first psychiatric doctor - Georg Engström - was employed. There were favorable conditions for Vadstena as a healthcare town. Vadstena already had a hospital tradition through Mårten Skinnare's Hospital, founded in 1519, and Helgeandshuset, which was established in 1400 and operated during the monastic period. For 140 years, the old nunnery was also used as the state's War invalids' home (1643-1783).

The hospital grew rapidly and many buildings were added. The number of inmates and patients rose from 80 (in 1703), 200 (in 1826), 900 (in 1895) to 1,100 in the 1960s. By the middle of the 20th century, most of the hospital buildings had become obsolete. Therefore, a whole new hospital town - the Birgitta district - was built behind the old hospital area. With about 1,000 employees, Birgitta's hospital was a major element in the city's economy until the closure of psychiatric care after the transition to outpatient care at the end of the 20th century. Today only the forensic psychiatric regional clinic, with 86 beds, remains in Vadstena as one of five in the country and is currently being rebuilt into new modern premises.

Follow our guide on a walk to the well-preserved hospital buildings such as Mårten Skinnare's House from the 16th century, the Great Madhouse and the Trinity Court, and learn more about Vadstena as a hospital and healthcare town.

Language: English, German, Swedish
Time: 1 hour
Participants: max. 25-30 people / group
Price:
Monday-Friday: 1,750 SEK incl. VAT.
Saturday/Sunday/Holiday: 2,125 SEK incl. VAT.

KungsTåget

Guided tours for pre-booked groups

We welcome pre-booked group visits all year round, even outside our regular opening hours. Our guides will show you around the museum, the Abbey Church and the abbey grounds, covering themes such as Saint Birgitta, monastic life, pilgrims, the royal palace and the age of chivalry, the history of the gardens and the history of healthcare. We look forward to your group booking

• Maximum 30 participants per group. • If there are more than 30 participants, they will be divided between two guides, with an equal number of participants in each group.

The Monastery Museum or the Monastery Church only – Adults, 60 mins
• Up to 5 people: weekdays SEK 1,650, weekends SEK 2,050, public holidays SEK 2,550
• 6–10 people: weekdays 2,100 SEK, weekends 2,500 SEK, public holidays 3,000 SEK
• 11–20 people: weekdays 3,200 SEK, weekends 3,600 SEK, public holidays 4,100 SEK
• 21–30 people: weekdays SEK 4,000, weekends SEK 4,400, public holidays SEK 4,900

The Monastery Museum or the Monastery Church only – Children/young people up to 17 years old (not schools), 45 mins
• Up to 5 people: weekdays 1,250 SEK, weekends 1,650 SEK, public holidays 2,150 SEK
• 6–10 people: weekdays 1,400 SEK, weekends 1,800 SEK, public holidays 2,300 SEK
• 11–20 people: weekdays 1,600 SEK, weekends 2,000 SEK, public holidays 2,500 SEK
• 21–30 people: weekdays 1,800 SEK, weekends 2,200 SEK, public holidays 2,700 SEK

The Monastery Museumm and AMonastery Church – Adults, 90 mins
• Up to 5 people: weekdays 2,300 SEK, weekends 2,700 SEK, public holidays 3,200 SEK
• 6–10 people: weekdays 2,750 SEK, weekends 3,150 SEK, public holidays 3,650 SEK
• 11–20 people: weekdays 3,800 SEK, weekends 4,200 SEK, public holidays 4,700 SEK
• 21–30 people: weekdays SEK 4,850, weekends SEK 5,250, public holidays SEK 5,750

The Monastery Museum and Monastery Church – Children/young people up to 17 years old (not schools), 75 mins
• Up to 5 people: weekdays SEK 1,900, weekends SEK 2,300, public holidays SEK 2,800
• 6–10 people: weekdays SEK 2,100, weekends SEK 2,500, public holidays SEK 3,000
• 11–20 people: weekdays SEK 2,550, weekends SEK 2,950, public holidays SEK 3,450
• 21–30 people: weekdays SEK 2,850, weekends SEK 3,250, public holidays SEK 3,750

A brief history of healthcare:
A historical walking tour of healthcare in the monastery area, exploring Vadstena as a centre of care, from the medieval Holy Spirit House and the monastery’s infirmaries and medical practices, via the Vadstena Soldiers’ Home, to mental healthcare at Vadstena Hospital and Birgitta’s Hospital. Approx. 60-minute walk.
• Prices: see the heading ‘Monastery Museum’ or ‘Monastery Church only’ above.

Rundturståget