Ostrogothia, or Östergötland, is a historical Province or landskap in the south of Sweden. It borders to Smalandia, Westrogothia, Nericia, Sudermannia and to the Baltic Sea.

Östergötland
LandGötaland
CountyÖstergötland County
Area9,987 km²
Provincial flower
- Swedish
- Latin
Cornflower
Blåklint
Centaurea cyanus
Provincial animalMute swan
Provincial fishPike

Table of contents
1 County
2 History
3 Geography
4 Culture
5 Heraldry
6 External links

County

For current affairs see: Östergötland County

Östergötland County has virtually the same boundaries as the province of Ostrogothia.

History

Main article: History of Ostrogothia

Chartered cities before 1971:

Its tradition goes back into the undocumented iron age and viking age prehistory, when this region had its own king and law. The region kept its own laws Östgötalagen, into the medieval times and the unification of Sweden. Traditionally, the region is divided into two halfs, east and west of the river Stångån, which flows from the south into lake Roxen at Linköping.

Togeather Östergötland (Ostrogothia) and Västergötland (Westrogothia) constitutes Götaland proper. Götaland was one of the constituent lands at the unification into one Swedish kingdom in the Middle Ages.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Ostrogothia

The eastern part of Göta canal traverses the province from the Baltic sea at Mem to lake Vättern at Motala.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Ostrogothia

In Ostrogothia, Östgötska, the eastern variety of the Götaland dialect of Swedish is spoken. However some parts, bordering to Sudermannia, adhere to the Svealand dialect. "Östergötland", literally means Eastern Götaland.

Ekenäs Castle, one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden, has belonged to the families Sture and Banér. Löfstad Castle has its origin in the early 17th century having belonged to the von Fersen family. Vadstena Castle, built by the Vasa dynasty 1545-1620, is combined fortress and renaissance castle.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Ostrogothia

From 1560 Ostrogothia was represented with two separate arms until 1884 when the current one was granted. The arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Gules a Griffin with Dragon Wings, Tail and Tongue rampant Or armed, beaked, langued and membered Azure between four Roses Argent."

External links