Match Museum

Jönköping was once known as Sweden's "Match City" ("Tändsticksstaden") because for over a century that was its most famous export. At one point, a third of the town's workforce was employed in this single industry. Although many might consider matchsticks to be a dull subject, it is clear the residents of this city disagree, as they have turned part of the former Jönköpings Tändsticksfabrik factory into a museum dedicated to them. It is one of only three such museums in the world.

The Match Museum tells the story of matchmaking in Jönköping, which dates back to 1845, as well as across the world. Svenska Tändsticksaktiebolaget, which owned all of Sweden's match factories, once controlled 60-70% of the world's match market. The museum has preserved match-making machines and has opportunities to make one' own matchboxes. There is also a collection of thousands of matchboxes and labels, some of which can be purchased in the gift shop.

Surrounding the museum, the Jönköpings Tändsticksfabrik factory as a whole is the world's only completely preserved historic match factory. It is now home to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and even a theater and hotel.