Östergötland

Östergötland is a historic province in southeastern Sweden stretching between Lake Vättern and the Baltic Sea, marked by farmland, wooded hills, and several lakes. The area is crossed by the Motala River system, which links different bodies of water and shapes the terrain.

The province was already mentioned in Jordanes' Getica in the 6th century and developed during the Viking Age into a territory with its own laws. Later it was integrated into the united Kingdom of Sweden and lost its separate political status.

The name comes from Old Norse and means the Eastern Gaulands, while the area has been shaped for centuries by the connection between farming and waterways. Visitors today notice the flat fields and farmhouses spread between forest and water, defining the daily rhythm of many who live here.

Linköping and Norrköping are the largest cities and serve as starting points for trips into the rural areas and lake landscapes of the province. Many smaller towns are accessible by country roads and offer access to walking paths and waterways.

In the municipality of Ödeshög stands the Rök stone, a runestone over 10 feet (3 meters) tall from the 9th century with the longest known runic inscription. The text contains puzzling passages about Norse mythology and historical events that remain partly undeciphered today.

Location: Sweden

Part of: Sweden, Götaland

Shares border with: Småland

GPS coordinates: 58.41583,15.62528

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:43