The City Moves

Despite its location close to the national border, Brätte lacked defensive facilities. In addition, there was no land for the city to expand. Already in the mid-16th century, there were plans to found a city on Huvudnäset, the site of present-day Vänersborg. The peninsula was vast, surrounded by water and would be easy to defend.

The plans to move Brätte to Huvudnäset were not realized until the 1640s. Huvudnäs farm, owned by Baroness Kristina Bielke, was purchased in 1641 and planning for a new city began. Defensive facilities were built with a moat and ramparts. The people of Brätte moved their houses to designated plots. On February 1, 1644, Queen Kristina's regent government granted privileges for the new city of Vänersborg.