Strängnäs

Strängnäs

Seen from the south
Strängnäs
Coordinates: 59°22′N 17°02′E / 59.367°N 17.033°E / 59.367; 17.033Coordinates: 59°22′N 17°02′E / 59.367°N 17.033°E / 59.367; 17.033
Country Sweden
Province Södermanland
County Södermanland County
Municipality Strängnäs Municipality
Area[1]
 • Total 6.53 km2 (2.52 sq mi)
Population (31 December 2010)[1]
 • Total 12,856
 • Density 1,968/km2 (5,100/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Strängnäs is a locality and the seat of Strängnäs Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 12,856 inhabitants in 2010.[1] It is located by Lake Mälaren and is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Strängnäs, a former Roman Catholic and present Lutheran Diocese, with the Strängnäs Cathedral (built between 1291 and 1340) as an important landmark.

History

The name Strängnäs is first encountered in 1120, as the name of the Diocese. It leads back to the fact that the city is placed by a strait and on several hills, especially on two major ones, the "Mill Hill" and the "Cathedral Hill". The name "Strängnäs" is derived from Old Norse strengr ("narrow channel of water") and nes ("isthmus", "narrow peninsula", " headland", a very common toponymic in Scandinavia). A monastery was established around 1250, and the cathedral inaugurated in 1291, and the town continued to evolve around these two institutions.

The oldest known city charter stem from 1336 by King Magnus Eriksson. Strängnäs became a city of importance in the Södermanland province, as the location of the thing and an annual market. In the 15th and 16th century, Strängnäs had an important place in the history of Sweden, the reformation, with prominent reformators Laurentius Andreae and Olaus Petri; and King Gustav Vasa elected king in Strängnäs in 1523. It attracted some education and scholarship: in 1626 the Thomas Gymnasium was established, and is today Sweden's second oldest operating gymnasium.

The development of Strängnäs seems to have been slow after that, and only flourishing temporarily with the arrival of energetic bishops. The 19th century called for industrial investments, which Strängnäs did not possess. A fire in 1871 led to large reconstructions of the city, from which time its current appearance stems.

Suecia circa 1700, in Suecia antiqua et hodierna.

Today

Many of the inhabitants of Strängnäs commute to Stockholm, Södertälje and Eskilstuna. European route E20 also passes the city.

Extreme metal band Merciless was formed in Strängnäs.

Twin cities and towns

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2005 och 2010" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.

External links

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