Pinnapå: Värnamo - marknadsstaden

Värnamo residents have held markets since 1236. In the beginning, anyone could sell products, but in the late Middle Ages the market was banned by King Sten Sture the Elder. In 1620, only merchants from Jönköping were allowed to trade in Värnamo. The people of Värnamo, however, ignored the ban. It went so far as Jönköping burghers sending spies to check on Värnamo residents.

The market did not open up again for general trade until 1788. The oldest market place was located near the church. From there, the market moved here to the area around Köpmangatan/Boagatan. In Boagatan, 56 market stalls were erected. One of these, Mor Kajsas stuga, now stands in the park Apladalen. The market then returned to the church market place, but in 1968 it moved to Norra Salutorget and then to the mall Pelikanen. Värnamo market is perhaps best known for Carl Snoilsky’s poem about Per and Kersti.