Introduction
Place in Västergötland, Sweden
Place in Västergötland, SwedenMariestadMariestadMariestadShow map of Västra GötalandMariestadShow map of SwedenCoordinates: 58°42′N 13°49′E / 58.700°N 13.817°E / 58.700; 13.817CountrySwedenProvinceVästergötlandCountyVästra Götaland CountyMunicipalityMariestad MunicipalityArea • Total11.76 km2 (4.54 sq mi)Population (31 December 2019) • Total16,611 • Density1,413/km2 (3,660/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Mariestad (pronunciationⓘ) is a locality and the seat of Mariestad Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 16,611 inhabitants in 2019. Until 1997 it was the capital of the former Skaraborg County and an episcopal see in the Church of Sweden between 1583 and 1646.
History
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Mariestad c. 1700, in Suecia antiqua et hodierna.
The city was founded in 1583 by Duke Charles, who later became King Charles IX of Sweden. The city is named after his wife Marie of Pfalz. The coat of arms for Mariestad, an ox stepping out of the water, is said to be what Marie of Pfalz saw by the bay of Tidan in Mariestad when she first arrived there.
Diocese
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Mariestad is one of two Swedish cities with a cathedral without a bishop's seat, the other being Kalmar. For political reasons, the diocese of Mariestad was presided over by a superintendent rather than a bishop from 1583 until 1646, when the superintendent was moved to Karlstad and the diocese of Mariestad was absorbed by that of Skara.
Mariestad Cathedral, 2003
Notable natives
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Gustavus Schmidt (1795–1877), American lawyer and lecturer
Axel Lindahl (1841–1906), photographer
Dag Wennlund (born 1963), javelin thrower
Evelyn Mok (born 1987), actress and comedian
Helena Andersson
Anni Dewani
Sports
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The following sports clubs are located in Mariestad:
IFK Mariestad
Mariestads BK
Mariestad BoIS HC
IBK Lockerud Mariestad
Mariestads Motorklubb run a motorcycle speedway team called Örnarna at the Grevby Motorstadion.