Fantastic 'hands-on' exhibits demonstrate basic scientific principles in a simple, fun way and will keep adults and kids alike interested for hours.

sc.innovatum.se/english.html

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Innovatum is founded on the old NOHAB industrial area, which once housed production facilities of trains, diesel engines and water turbines. The industrial shell gives a charming frame to a science centre - fun and enlightening for both young and old, a SAAB car museum - a must for all car enthusiasts and SAAB lovers, as well as a restaurant, a tourist information bureau and a whole lot more. The setting is further enhanced by the beauty of the nearby canal.

In the outskirts of Trollhattan city centre. Can be reached on foot or by bus. Further directions from their website. www.innovatum.se

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Although Trollhattan has historic links with hydro-powered industries, it is a relatively young city. It started as a settlement for wanderers seeking shelter from the rough northern winds in the hills overlooking the river. The area is rich as a source of food and water, but the currents are strong, and were not easily navigated in olden times. The earliest reference was in 1413, when it was neither a city nor a town, but more of a geographical area with falls and inaccessible rapids. Historians believe that this area is Mimir’s Well in Norse mythology, and that the town eventually took its name from the small islets in the river that look like hoods of trolls. Trolls were very real to the locals in those days, but even today the area is ripe with tales of mystical creatures.

The falls soon became a place for mills and hydro-power: an industrial area though without the pollution and pain often associated with early industry. Hydropower substituted coal furnishes to a lesser or greater extent, so there was very little pollution, not to mention that the pure volume of water cleared the air, adding a freshness often only associated with coastal towns.

In the 1800s, Eduard Leopold Albert visited the falls and fell in love with the views and the beauty. He had amassed a fortune as an engineer constructing the Russian rail network and impulsively bought a huge plot of land on the western side of the canal overlooking the falls.

He parcelled out his land to new inhabitants and planned the town thoroughly, catering for sanitation, transport, shops, streets, education, faith and even drew up bank loans, easements and regulations. Businesses were only allowed in special quarters, and overnight visitors and drinking were not allowed at all or with special permission. He called the area Stromslund – “the forested grove by the swiftly-flowing waters”.

Stromslund, one of the few remaining places in the Western world where socialism is successfully and firmly anchored in house ownership. It might be a midget in the eyes of the world, but is indeed a giant when it comes to mixing traditions with steadfast progress. Like the rooks on the Tower of London, the crows of Stromslund guard the old and encourage the new.

www.trollhattan.
www2.alberthotell.se

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