History

In 1634, Jönköping became the seat of the county government. In the 19th century, the town became recognised all over the world for the innovation and manufacture of safety matches. The old factory complex today houses the Match Museum.

The modern Municipality of Jönköping was formed in 1971 following the merger of the three towns of Jönköping, Huskvarna and Gränna, together with the urban district of Norrahammar, seven rural districts, and one parish.
Gränna is in the north of the Municipality of Jönköping, located on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern, opposite the island of Visingsö. Gränna, which was founded in 1652, is very well known for its wooden period buildings, fruit farms and the making of unique peppermint rocks and sticks, the “polkagris".

From Gränna there are frequent ferry services to Visingsö. During the 12th and 13th centuries the island was the seat of the Swedish kings and played an instrumental role in the development of the History of Sweden.

Huskvarna, which became a chartered town in 1911, has been considered as belonging to the Jönköping conurbation for many years. Today it is a municipal district in the eastern part of the Municipality of Jönköping. The predecessor of the present company Husqvarna AB was a famous small-arms factory which commenced manufacture at the end of the 17th century.

Norrahammar, south-west of Jönköping, originally developed as an industrial community, around the Norrahammars bruk metal works and foundry. Since the 1970s Norrahammar has grown together with Jönköping. The Norrahammars bruk produced cast-iron domestic heating ranges and boilers, amongst many other products.