18th century. For a while the Adalvardskalken was used in the Holy Communion. Some 44 pages of a book containing texts and hymns of 11th-century Catholic rituals, the Skara Missal, is held and exhibited in Skara. Other ancient objects have been found during excavations of the monasteries and churches. Education There is a branch of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet) in Skara. Culture and attractions In the city centre, near the main square, is the imposing Skara Cathedral. Within walking distance from the Cathedral is the Museum of Västergötland and its adjacent open-air museum Fornbyn, featuring several old cottages and other historical buildings from the local area. In early spring, several thousand cranes gather in and around Lake Hornborga, on their yearly migration from the south of Europe to northern Scandinavia. This is a very popular tourist attraction during a few hectic weeks in March/April. Within the municipality but outside of the city is Varnhem, home to a medieval Cistercian abbey and the remains of possibly the oldest Christian church in Sweden. Just outside the abbey are the ruins of the Cistercian monastery, built around 1150 A.D. There are several music and entertainment artists in Skara, giving it a notable spot among the cities. The Skara Sommarland is a popular amusement park with a reputation well known throughout the nation. Most notable is its water park with water chutes, artificial rafts, etc. The official museum of Västergötland is in Skara. There is also a railway museum called Järnvägs. Sister cities Skara is twinned with: Radviliškis, Lithuania Eidsvoll, Norway Sorø, Denmark Fljótsdalshérað, Iceland Zeven, Germany See also Diocese of Skara Norra Härene Runestone References Nordisk Familjebok, see link below. External links Skara Tourist Office Skara - Official site Skara - Marketing Agency Skara, in Nordisk familjebok (in Swedish) Populated places in Västra Götaland County Populated places in Skara Municipality Municipal seats of Västra Götaland County Swedish municipal seats Skaraborg Viking Age populated places fi:Skaran kunta