Gränna is a small village full with creativity and entrepreneurship
A number of historical feats and achievements of people from Gränna have made the town known for its countship, peppermint rock and hot-air balloons.
At the end of the 16th century, Visingsö was conferred to the Brahe family – thereby creating Sweden's first countship. Such countship no longer exists today, but the expression "in the days of the Count" is still very much alive and refers to the time when Per Brahe ruled.
Amalia Ericsson probably did not realise the tradition she was creating when she started to make peppermint rock to support herself and her children. Today there are about 20 sugar bakeries in Gränna that roll out their peppermint rock every day.
Last but not least, many people visit Gränna to admire the colourful hot-air balloons gliding over the mount when the weather is good – thanks to Salomon August Andrée, born and bred in Gränna, who bravely attempted to fly over the North Pole. His journey and fate are displayed at the Polar Museum in Gränna.
Read more about arrangements in Gränna at Destination Jönköping
Grennaskolan is located in the centre of the idyllic town of Gränna, which at one time was the heart of Per Brahe's countship.
"Here in our fair county, next to Gränna village church, we have a fitting place for establishing a town," said Per Brahe the Younger on 24 June 1652, and thus founded the town of Gränna.
Stockholm University also saw advantages with Gränna 311 years later and founded Grennaskolan in 1963 as Sweden's first international upper-secondary school.
In 1970, it was transformed into a national boarding school with the objective of becoming an alternative for the children of Swedish people living abroad. A few years later, the Municipality of Jönköping became the responsible authority. Expatriate Swedes still represent the principal target group, but the school is also open to local and international students.
From the start, it has been important that the school be characterised by an open climate with a free atmosphere.
The school is composed of several small wooden buildings, of which some date back to the 18th century. The school's longest corridor is said to be Bergsgatan, an historical street where private homes, a museum and a library are blended with classrooms, dormitories, dining room and old gardens. Apple trees and climbing plants frame the small buildings and decorate the neighbourhood with colour during all seasons. The Gränna Mount acts as a backdrop to the school, from where visitors can enjoy the wonderful view of Lake Vättern. It is a clean and healthy environment without exhaust fumes and large-city stress, with fantastic countryside close by. Of Gränna's 2,500 inhabitants, 300 are students and staff at Grennaskolan.