SVERIGE	SWEDEN
län: Västra Götaland

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The town of Lidköping on Lake Vänern, the largest lake of Sweden and the third-largest in Europe (5,585 km², up to 106 m deep), about 112 km northeast of the administrative centre of Västra Götaland, Göteborg. Lidköping has a population of about 23,700 (2020), the municipality as a population of about 40,500 (2023).

Lidköping got its charter on July 21, 1446, and thus qualifies as one of the now defunct Cities of Sweden. Around 1650, the city was incorporated into the countship of Jakob de la Gardie. However, in 1655 the crown decided to regain administration of the city. To make up this, De la Gardie was then given the right to found a new city on the western side of the river, starting in 1670. In 1672 the foundations were laid, and the new city grew quickly. In 1683, both sides of the city Lidköping were declared unified by the Crown, who also reclaimed possession of them both. The old town burned down in 1849, and large parts of the new town were also damaged. Following the fire, both towns were rebuilt according to a check pattern. Especially in the 1980s and 1990s the name Lidköping vid Vänern was used in order to avoid confusion with the city of Linköping.

The Nikolaikyrkan (church of St. Nicholas) [left] goes back to a church that had been built in 1446 and was renovated in 1617–1693. The present church was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style after a fire in 1849.