Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Storsjön - Sweden's fifth
largest lake - Östersund is located in roughly the centre
of Sweden. As
the only town of any size in the vicinity, it is a major cultural
and transportation centre. One of the enduring legends about the
town is that the lake's rarely-sighted monster has come ashore
there.
Storsjöodjuret ('the great lake monster') reportedly emerged
from the chilly waters into the town in 1635, and has been spotted
infrequently ever since. Generally described as serpentine with
multiple humps, the monster has yet to be caught on camera, yet for
a time the town had a law ensuring its protection!