Kapellbron

**Chapel Bridge

Kapellbron is the first bridge in Arbogas. We do not know when it was built. Arbogas oldest buildings were located north of the river, and as long as the settlement was concentrated there, no bridge was needed. But at some point, perhaps in the early 14th century, a permanent bridge over the river became necessary. In records and diaries over the centuries, Kapellbron is referred to as just 'the bridge', sometimes 'the big bridge' - that was when there was a footbridge or a temporary smaller bridge over the river. Ice and high water were hard on the bridge and the Magistrate's minutes show that the city often had to repair the bridge. The "Old Bridge" was not called Kapellbron until 1899, when the "New Bridge" was completed, now Herrgårdsbron. Look upstream, towards the west. Then you will see on the right between the two nearest properties on Västerlånggatan a water alley, a remnant from Magnus Eriksson's city law, which around 1350 stipulated that there should be at least 12 cubits between the houses (1 cubit, "elbow length" was 25-30 cm). The water borders were important to prevent the spread of fire in the event of a fire. But they were also important to ensure that everyone, even those living some distance away, had access to the river's water. Several water margins are preserved along the river. In 1724, the artist Per Krafft the Elder was born in the house on the left, he was the foremost portrait painter of the 18th century alongside his son Per Krafft the Younger and Alexander Roslin. In the Middle Ages, this property was owned by Ramundeboda monastery in Finnerödja in Tiveden, the only Antonite monastery in Sweden. A little further to the left you can see the water collector with the long shaft: all the animals and crops on the farms, but also the people, needed a lot of water. A little further away in the middle of the river, you can see the water stone. On summer evenings, the Näckstenen sits there and plays - but only those who really believe that the Näckstenen exists can see and hear him! Beyond Näckstenen you can see Strömsnäsbron, which was completed around 1980. Just beyond it, the Arbogaån river makes a sharp bend that has given the town its name, arbughi, [town by] the river. Looking downstream, towards the east, you can see Herrgårdsbron, the town's second bridge, completed in 1899. Before that, rowing ladies had rowed people across the river for a few pennies - now they were unemployed. To the right is the library, Arboga's living room - but you don't have to take your shoes off when you enter! The entire southern part of Arboga was hit by a terrible fire on May 12, 1650, which wiped out virtually every house except the Eastern Manor. The loading dock along the northern part of the river, Ladbron (from the German laden = to load), was from the Middle Ages Arboga's harbor. The town had 24 ships of its own and during the summer months there was a lot of activity on Ladbron: iron carriers carried bar iron from Bergslagen on board or carried salt, grain and other supplies ashore, which were then sold at the markets in Bergslagen. Some women sold Arbogakringlor and beer to the sailors and workers in the harbor. A harbor warehouse is still preserved along Ladbron. When the railway came to Arboga in 1857, the port was moved a few hundred meters east. Well into the 20th century, there were several piers in the river. All year round, even in winter, maids, daughters and housewives could be seen kneeling and rinsing clothes, sheets and other laundry: with the clapperboard they clapped the laundry, twisted and rinsed, clapped, twisted and rinsed... Then the heavy and wet laundry would be taken home to dry. In the past, a beautifully decorated clapper was a common proposal gift for the bride-to-be.