Mariestad

Mariestad (pronunciation) is a locality and the seat of Mariestad Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 16,611 inhabitants in 2019. Until 1997 it was the capital of the former Skaraborg County and an episcopal see in the Church of Sweden between 1583 and 1646. History The city was founded in 1583 by Duke Charles, who later became King Charles IX of Sweden. The city is named after the his wife Marie of Pfalz. The coat of arms for Mariestad, an ox stepping out of the water, is said …