Götaplatsen, Square in Gothenburg, Sweden
Götaplatsen is a large public square in the center of Gothenburg, Sweden, situated at the top of the main street, Avenyn. It is framed by several early 20th-century cultural buildings, including the Museum of Art, the Concert Hall, and the City Theatre.
Götaplatsen was created in 1923 for the world fair marking Gothenburg's 300th anniversary as a city. The surrounding cultural buildings were added over the following decade, gradually shaping the square into the urban center it is today.
The Poseidon statue by Carl Milles, finished in 1931, stands at the center of the square and is treated as a symbol of the city by locals. Gothenburg has a long connection to the sea, and this figure of the sea god reflects that relationship in a way visitors can still feel today.
The square sits at the northern end of Avenyn and is easy to reach on foot or by tram. Because the space is open and large, visiting in good weather makes it easier to take in the buildings around the square and the views along the street below.
The Concert Hall on the square did not open until 1935, more than ten years after the square itself was built, showing that the ensemble grew slowly over decades. At night, the Poseidon statue is lit up, making the square worth visiting after dark as well.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
