Summary
Situated between the two lakes, Hjälmaren and Mälaren, Eskilstuna is a delightful former industrial town. The city’s metalworking industry began in the 1600s under the patronage of King Gustav X. Later, one division of the international manufacturer Volvo was established here in the 19th century. The history of Munktell, an agricultural machinery firm, can be explored at a museum located in the old industrial area. Additionally, visitors can tour a 17th-century forge and admire the considerable steam engines showcased in the city museum.
Eskilstuna is situated on a short river that flows from Hjälmaren and empties into Mälaren. By following its course northward, one may discover a Viking stone inscribed with the tale of Sigurd the dragon slayer.
Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Eskilstuna:
1. Munktellmuseet
This museum, located in Munktellstaden, Eskilstuna’s industrial district, focuses on heavy machinery.
Housed within a preserved factory owned by Volvo, manufacturing occurred here from the 19th century until the 1970s.
Many machines on display are products of Munktells Mekaniska Verkstad, a company that, through various mergers, ultimately became part of Volvo.
The museum features an extensive collection of machine tools, steam engines, combustion engines, and tractors.
Noteworthy exhibits include Sweden’s inaugural tractor from 1913, a steam-powered truck dating back to 1884, and Förstlingen, the nation’s first steam locomotive, introduced in 1853. Most items are meticulously maintained at the museum’s workshop.
2. Parken Zoo
Located at the edge of the city, Parken Zoo combines animal exhibits with amusement park attractions.
Animal residents are categorized by continent, and there is also a section known as the Little Zoo (Lilla Zoo) designed for younger visitors, featuring animals such as rabbits, miniature horses, and non-threatening reptiles that children can interact with.
The zoo also houses Sumatran tigers, gila monsters, lemurs, jaguars, and unique species not found in other Swedish zoos, such as giant otters, fossas, and clouded leopards.
The amusement park features rides aimed at children up to eight years of age, along with a stage for live performances by Swedish pop artists.
3. Rademachersmedjorna
Eskilstuna’s forging industry originated in this neighborhood during the 17th century.
Reinhold Rademacher, a Dutch industrialist from modern-day Latvia, played a pivotal role in its development.
Today, 15 of the forges he established, which produced locks, hinges, knives, scissors, nails, and tools for King Gustav X, remain intact in Eskilstuna.
These forges are part of an open-air museum.
Several charming wooden structures host exhibitions and period actors dressed in 17th-century attire.
Others continue to function as forges, allowing visitors to observe a blacksmith at work and purchase handcrafted souvenirs.
4. Gamla Staden
The picturesque Köpmangatan is the oldest street in Eskilstuna.
This charming thoroughfare winds through the old town on the east bank of the river, lined with colorful wooden houses, and features narrow alleys beckoning exploration.
This cobblestone street is conducive for leisurely strolls, allowing visitors to explore various art galleries, vintage shops, and cafés.
Across the street lies the riverside, showcasing a variety of water-side dining options.
Furthermore, visitors can discover Gamla Teatern, Sweden’s oldest provincial theater, which still hosts productions dating back to the 1830s.
5. Sigurdsristningen
Venture to the scenic shoreline of Lake Mälaren, located ten kilometers outside Eskilstuna, to view an extraordinary Viking inscription depicting the Sigurd saga.
This artifact, not a traditional runestone, features patterns etched into a flat rock surface.
Dating back to the 1000s, the intricate design allows Norse scholars to decipher the entire narrative of Sigurd the dragon slayer.
To those unfamiliar with its context, the carving appears as a multitude of figures surrounded by the elongated forms of dragons.
Fortunately, interpretive signs explain the imagery and symbolism, enhancing the understanding of each carving and elucidating the story.
6. Eskilstuna Stadsmuseum
The city museum along the river provides an in-depth exploration of Eskilstuna’s industrial heritage.
The historic mechanical workshop is a treasure trove for engineers, filled with metalworking equipment, while a dedicated hall features steam engines collected from various factories in the city.
Special exhibitions showcase the city’s weapon manufacturers, displaying an impressive assortment of swords and knives forged in Eskilstuna from the 18th century to 1940. Additionally, children can engage with hands-on science experiments in the “Factorum,” and a “Little Museum” (Lilla Museet) presents Eskilstuna’s history in an engaging manner for young audiences.
7. Klosterskyrka
Prominently positioned alongside the Eskilstunaån river, Klosterskyrka is the largest church in the city, presenting an impressive scale for a locale of Eskilstuna’s dimensions.
This brick structure is, interestingly, more modern than it appears, having been completed in 1929. Above the main entrance, an image depicts St. Eskil, an 11th-century English missionary from the old village of Tuna.
He met a tragic end after disrupting a Norse pagan ceremony.
Inside, visitors should first admire the altarpiece, which features a remarkable painting by the 17th-century Flemish artist Maerten de Vos, illustrating the Adoration of the Shepherds.
The church’s stained glass windows are also worthy of attention, featuring 14 panels that narrate the story of St. Eskil.
8. Eskilstuna Konstmuseum
Eskilstuna’s art museum has operated since 1937 and relocated to the former Bollinder-Munktell gear works in 2006.
This vibrant and esteemed art institution continues to host high-profile temporary exhibitions.
The permanent collection encompasses works from the 17th century onwards, emphasizing Swedish art movements of the 1900s, including Expressionism and Modernism.
Renowned artists such as Albin Amelin, Vera Nilsson, Sigrid Hjertén, and Isaac Grünewald are featured.
The museum includes five rooms dedicated to temporary exhibitions, focusing on the works of individual artists, movements, or themes. At the time of this writing, an exhibition featuring the acclaimed ceramic sculptor Eva Hild was on display.
9. Fors Kyrka
The city’s oldest church dates back to the 11th century when it was originally constructed as a wooden Romanesque building.
Traces of this early edifice can still be found in the north and west walls.
The nave’s vaults are Gothic and date from the 1300s, while the church acquired its current Baroque façade in the 17th century.
A significant portion of the church’s artwork is medieval, inviting visitors to spend a few moments exploring its treasures.
The oldest artifact is a wooden statue of a seated bishop, dating to the 1100s.
The pulpit, crafted in the 17th century, is magnificent, featuring intricate carvings of the four evangelists.
The altarpiece, composed by the French Baroque painter Eustache Le Sueur around the same period, is also remarkable.
10. Vilsta
For those seeking physical activity in an unspoiled setting, a 400-hectare nature reserve adjacent to Eskilstunaån awaits exploration.
Along the river, one will discover one of the city’s primary swimming areas, complemented by both indoor and outdoor sports facilities, extensive mature mixed woodlands, barbecue areas, a sauna, playgrounds, and camping grounds.
The tallest elevation in the reserve, Vilstabacken, rises to 50 meters and serves as a launch point for winter ski excursions.
A downhill slope for alpine skiing and a vast network of illuminated cross-country trails are also available.
11. Sundbyholm Friluftsområde
The area surrounding the Viking Sigurdsristningen serves as a natural reserve, perfect for leisurely walks by Lake Mälaren.
Encompassing more than 700 hectares of forested land, this region once hosted farms and grazing lands during the Viking era.
The landscape has since transformed, allowing visitors to hike through one of Sweden’s northernmost beech forests.
Sundbyholm Castle, commissioned in the 17th century by Duke Karl, the son of King Karl XI, is also located within the park. After a fire in the 18th century, the building was remodelled and now serves as a venue for various functions and conferences.
Additionally, Sundbyholm boasts Lake Mälaren’s longest sandy beach, alongside a premier racetrack, campsites, and a marina.
12. Rothoffsparken
As the oldest park in the city, Rothoffsparken was designed in the 18th century.
At that time, it was part of a private estate owned by industrialist Fredrik Rothoff.
The park, featuring a flowing English style, largely preserves its appearance from Rothoff’s era and includes a carp pond, herb garden, and an arboretum showcasing every tree species native to Sweden.
Visitors wishing to learn more about the various tree species can download a PDF map from the city’s website, which identifies all 71 species present.
13. Torshälla
Just a ten-minute drive from Eskilstuna leads to the charming riverside town of Torshälla.
This locale is renowned for being home to the artist Allan Ebeling, who settled here in the 20th century.
His distinctive sculptures adorn the streets, and an art museum houses a wealth of his creations.
Featuring cozy wooden houses along winding lanes, Torshälla is a town that invites exploration of every corner.
During summer, flowering plants enhance the beauty of every square and roundabout, while the town’s park, Holmberget, offers scenic views of the historic center and the river.
Attractions include the town church, decorated with medieval statues and frescoes in lime, and an open-air museum located at the 17th-century Bergströmska.
14. Arsenalen – Swedish Tank Museum
A short drive east brings you to a museum housing one of the largest collections of military vehicles in Europe.
With 75 vehicles on site and nearly 400 in reserve, most were utilized by the Swedish army, showcasing a comprehensive timeline of technological evolution over the past century.
The museum also features a variety of German and Russian equipment from the Russo-Finnish war, along with models representing significant historical battles.
Children can engage with communication equipment and compete in online games.
Coordinate your visit to coincide with an activity day, where there may be opportunities to ride in an APC for a nominal fee.
15. Strömsholm Palace
A brief journey across the westernmost arm of Lake Mälaren leads to one of Sweden’s most stunning palaces.
This yellow-hued architectural gem stands atop a 16th-century fortress commissioned by Gustav Vasa.
During the 18th century, Strömsholm Palace was a royal residence and underwent a transformation into the Gustavian style, initiated by Queen Hedvig Eleonora. Subsequently, many Swedish monarchs would spend the night at this royal estate while traveling south.
To appreciate the 18th-century elegance, the palace is open for tours in the summer, with furniture preserved as it was 250 years ago, and the wallpaper replicated from a roll discovered in the attic in the 1990s.
