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Varberg
The Håsten Hill at Varberg (1898), painting by Nils Kreuger
Coordinates: 57°07′N 12°13′E / 57.117, 12.217
Country	Sweden
County	Halland County
Province	Halland
Municipality	Varberg Municipality
Charter	1100
Population (2005)
- Total	26,041
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Website: www.varberg.se

Varberg is a Swedish city in Halland County, in southwest Sweden, situated at 57°07′N, 12°13′E. It has a population of 26,041 inhabitants (2005), and is the seat of Varberg Municipality with a total of 55,459 (2006).

Varberg and all of Halland has a great reputation for its typical 'west coast' sandy beaches. Just north of Varberg, the coast changes from the wide sandy beaches to the rocky terrain that leads on up into the Bohuslän archipelago. Varberg is a charming and popular summer resort and many people from industrial cities such as Borås are either moving to Varberg or holidaying there.

Varberg is located in a terrain of hills and plains. It is largely without trees and green areas, in its place are bald rocks and sand. The Swedish authoritative author and bishop Esaias Tegnér described it in 1826 as the least appealing place in Sweden, which has later been used in the marketing of Varberg. The sandy beaches are however very popular in the summer. Another main factor in Varberg is its natural surroundings. Just a 20 minute drive inland reveals a totally different landscape. Here you will be among an enchanting landscape rolling hills with lakes and forests in contrast to the flatter coastal areas.

Varberg was chartered in 1100. It is an old trading city. From the 14th to the 16th century it was conquered numerous times by hostile armies. In the treaty of Roskilde 1658, it passed from Denmark to Sweden. The city was devastated by a huge fire in 1863 and was subsequently rebuilt with stone or brick houses. Although several houses were torn down in the 1970's, most of the city centre still remain intact.

Varberg's fortress is its most notable historical building, mostly because of its size as it has no architectural uniformity. It was first built as a castle in 1280, with new parts being built in successions.

Near Varberg there is the VLF transmitter Grimeton, an interesting radiotechnical facility and classified by UNESCO to be a World Cultural Heritage. It can be visited during the summer.

View of Varberg; photo taken from the fortress

• Some material from sv:Varberg
• (Swedish) article Varberg from Nordisk familjebok

• Varberg Municipality - Official site
• Halland County Museum at Varberg - Official site

Varberg is one of 134 towns with the historical City status in Sweden.

Coordinates: 57°07′N, 12°13′E