Lusasken

Why is Kristinehamn sometimes called Lusasken?

The name "Lusasken" comes from a piggy bank that once was used to collect money for the sailors. For hundreds of years the sailors were in need of extra money during winter. The ice made it impossible to sail and they had no work. The piggy bank was emptied once a year on Lucia day (December 13th). When returning home the sailors would say "Let's go home to Lusasken (they meant the money in the piggy bank) and this became the equivalent of the the town Kristinehamn where the piggy bank was located.

There is a replica of the piggy bank at Kristinehamn Historical Museum. Throw in a few coins when you pass by! Nowadays the money collected is given to the Coast Guard.