Our history
Staying with us means stepping straight into history
1435
Sweden's first National Assembly
Through the centuries, Arboga has been a meeting place for pivotal decisions. The most significant took place in 1435, in the midst of turbulent times marked by rebellion and internal strife. Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson of Västmanland led the uprising against the union king Eric of Pomerania, and that same year he was appointed Lord Protector (rikshövitsman) right here in Arboga. Because every social class — nobles, clergy, burghers, and peasants — was gathered at the meeting, it has gone down in history as Sweden's first National Assembly.
When the National Assembly celebrated its 500th anniversary, a competition was held to honor Engelbrekt with a statue. Carl Eldh's winning work now stands in front of the Church of the Holy Trinity, just a stone's throw from the hotel.
When the National Assembly celebrated its 500th anniversary, a competition was held to honor Engelbrekt with a statue. Carl Eldh's winning work now stands in front of the Church of the Holy Trinity, just a stone's throw from the hotel.
1540
The story behind our symbol
No king left a deeper mark on Arboga than Gustav Vasa — but it's his daughter the city remembers most vividly. Cecilia Vasa was born at Tre Kronor Castle in Stockholm on 6 November 1540, the second-eldest daughter of the king and Queen Margareta Leijonhufvud. She was described as the most gifted of the siblings — and the most strong-willed. Unusually for a girl at the time, she received a thorough education: reading, writing, geography, literature, mathematics, French, and German — along with singing, keyboard, and lute, with daily dance lessons.
In the summer of 1564, she married the German margrave Christoph II of Baden-Rodemachern, whose realm was small and poor. From her brother, she received several fiefs, among them the city of Arboga. For seven years she lived at Arboga Kungsgård and styled herself Countess of Arboga. Her home was today's Town Hall — originally built as a church, later transformed into a stately manor.
Cecilia ruled with a firm hand. She oversaw trade and justice, ran both an armory and farmland, and kept the profits for herself. When she raised the tolls, it was felt as far as Stockholm, and she didn't hesitate to seize merchants' goods when she believed the rules had been broken. Despite the burghers' complaints, her responsibilities grew — she improved the town's school and had the town church restored. Cecilia Vasa lived to be 86, died in Brussels in 1627, and rests in Rodemack in present-day France. A memorial bell toll was held here in Arboga as well.
In the summer of 1564, she married the German margrave Christoph II of Baden-Rodemachern, whose realm was small and poor. From her brother, she received several fiefs, among them the city of Arboga. For seven years she lived at Arboga Kungsgård and styled herself Countess of Arboga. Her home was today's Town Hall — originally built as a church, later transformed into a stately manor.
Cecilia ruled with a firm hand. She oversaw trade and justice, ran both an armory and farmland, and kept the profits for herself. When she raised the tolls, it was felt as far as Stockholm, and she didn't hesitate to seize merchants' goods when she believed the rules had been broken. Despite the burghers' complaints, her responsibilities grew — she improved the town's school and had the town church restored. Cecilia Vasa lived to be 86, died in Brussels in 1627, and rests in Rodemack in present-day France. A memorial bell toll was held here in Arboga as well.
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Helena & Albin
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