There was actually a particular reason for my choice of Skövde.

In the beginning of the 21:st century, a fever caught Sweden. It was the Arn fever. There was a new outbreak some eight years later when the film came,  based on the books about the medieval fictional person Arn. 

Single cases of fever still occur. I got it myself since I read the serie this winter. And voilà - my ultimate goal was to visit the church and cloister ruin with its herb garden in Varnhem, not far from Skövde. 

 

Close to the church is the Kata farm. It's  a house that has been built over what might be the oldest room in Sweden.  It gives an exposition about the Christian Vikings that once lived in Varnhem. Kata and her family were wealthy and lived  in the 11:th century. 

 

I was fortunate enough to come just in time for the guiding of the church and joined as well the one about Kata farm. Both guides were much initiated and their own interest in the subject was apparent and contagious. Two booklets and some brochures added some extra weight to my backpack after my visit. 

 

http://www.varnhem.se/ 

(Only in Swedish)