Växjö

Växjö ([ˈvɛkːˈɧøː]) is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden. It had 63,479 inhabitants as of 2013, out of a municipal population of 85,000. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County, and the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. The town is home to Linnaeus University.

Etymology

The city's name is believed to be constructed from the words "väg" (road) and "sjö" (lake), meaning the road over the frozen Växjö Lake that farmers took in the winter to get to the marketplace that later became the city.

History

In contrast to what was believed a century ago, there is no evidence of a special pre-Christian significance of the site. The pagan cultic center of Värend may have been located at Hov, a nearby village.

The city has been an Episcopal see since the 12th century, but did not get its city charter until 1342, issued by Magnus Eriksson. During the Middle Ages Växjö did not have many pious institutions. A Franciscan monastery was established in 1485. There was a hospital of the Holy Ghost, first mentioned in 1318. In the 14th century Växjö got its first school, Växjö katedralskola. In 1643 it received gymnasium status.