In the footsteps of our ancestors

Today we bought our public transportation card and went into the city of Gothenburg with Carina and her daughter Alice.
We rode the tram into the central station and walked through the doors of the station where our great grandfather passed through on his journey to America. we then turned and imagined that we were in a line of emigrants, each holding a small handle attached to a long rope and being led down the street about 3 city blocks. to the next building in the process of leaving Sweden, family and friends behind. In this next building, the emigrant would be questioned and receive his/her final exit papers, allowing entry onto the ship for the long (2 to 3 week long) journey over the sea.
Our walk took us through a large shopping center that has been built over one of these blocks and then out onto the cobblestone streets once again. A  little side step and we were in the courtyard in front of a large brick building with patina'd copper shutters and roof. This we found is the oldest existing building in Gothenburg and one of the things that happened here is:


Karl X Gustav died and a new King quickly had to
be announced. 
Karl X Gustav died the night Feb, 13 1660. He died in the residence at Södra Hamngatan 3 (the so-called Torstenssonska huset). The enemies to Sweden must not know that the King is dead. All the gates in town were closed and a new King had to be announced as quickly as possible. Karl XI who at this time only was 4 years old was the new King. He was carried into Kronhuset and was announced as the new King. But not until the year 1672 when the King was of age he could take over the throne officially. During this time, Sweden had a so called guardianship government

We had lunch in the square and looked in some small, exquisite shops before continuing in the steps of our ancestors.

Next stop was down to the docks where the emigrants boarded the ships.

We walked along the port where there was a display of battleships, a submarine and other boats available for the public to walk through for a fee. A bit further along the walk was a statue of  the beloved Swedish composer, Evert Taube.

We boarded a ferry that is part of the public transportation system for a tour of the harbor area, then back onto the tram, headed back home. We learned how to read the transit system maps and how to transfer from one line to another. This will be very helpful for us to be able to go out on our own, both here in Gothenburg and in Stockholm.

Ending the day with a dinner of Spaghetti Bolognese.....and a restful evening. We are all a bit tired today.