Strängnäs | |
|---|---|
 Seen from the south | |
  Strängnäs  Strängnäs | |
| Coordinates:59°22′N17°02′E / 59.367°N 17.033°E /59.367; 17.033 | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Södermanland |
| County | Södermanland County |
| Municipality | Strängnäs Municipality |
| Area | |
• Total | 975.09 km2 (376.48 sq mi) |
| Population (31 December 2020)[1] | |
• Total | 38,526 |
| • Density | 40/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Strängnäs is alocality and the seat ofSträngnäs Municipality,Södermanland County,Sweden with 15,363 inhabitants in 2020.[1] It is located by LakeMälaren and is the episcopal see of theDiocese of Strängnäs, one of the thirteen dioceses of theChurch of Sweden. Prominently located on a hilltop,Strängnäs Cathedral, built between 1291 and 1340, is an important landmark.
The city's name is first encountered in 1120, in reference to the Diocese. The name Strängnäs is derived from the fact that the city is located near astrait and on several hills, especially on two major ones, the "Mill Hill" and the "Cathedral Hill". InOld Norsestrengr indicates a "narrow channel of water" andnes refers to an "isthmus", "narrow peninsula", or " headland", a very common toponymic in Scandinavia.
A monastery was established around 1250, and the cathedral inaugurated in 1291, with the town subsequently evolving around these two institutions.
The oldest known citycharter was granted in 1336 by KingMagnus Eriksson. Strängnäs became a city of importance in theSödermanland province, as the location of the governingthing and also of an annual market. KingGustav Vasa was elected king in Strängnäs in 1523, and delivered his first speech from a position adjacent to the cathedral.[2]
In the 15th and 16th centuries Strängnäs had an important place in thehistory of Sweden, particularly through theReformation era. Strängnäs was the native city of prominent reformerLaurentius Andreae and the home city of both Andreae andOlaus Petri.
It became a regional centre of education and scholarship, and in 1626 the ThomasGymnasium was established by KingGustavus Adolphus, and is today Sweden's second oldest operating gymnasium.
The urban and economic development of Strängnäs seems to have slowed after the Reformation, only flourishing temporarily with the arrival of energetic bishops. The city was slow to engage with the 19th century industrial development and investment found in other areas. A significant fire in 1871 led to large-scale reconstruction of the city, from which time its current appearance stems.
The city was accidentally bombed by theSoviet Union duringWorld War II, causing minor damage.
In 1962 arunestone known asSträngnäs stone was discovered during the demolition of an old stove in a house at Klostergatan 4. The stone is a piece ofjotnian sandstone inscribed with runes written inProto-Norse, inElder Futhark alphabet.
Many of the inhabitants of Strängnäs commute to Stockholm, Södertälje and Eskilstuna.European route E20 passes the city, and there is a mainline railway station operated by the Swedishnational railway company, with direct services to and from the capitalStockholm.
Tourism is a significant element of the city's economy, with the brick gothic cathedral (with celebrated statues, artworks, and historical archives)[3] attracting many visitors, as well as the attraction of natural features, particularly the lake.
The extreme metal bandMerciless was formed in Strängnäs.
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