Mälaren is a lake in southern Sweden, located west of Stockholm. The Norrstrom channel connects it to the B altic Sea (S altsjön fjord). The area of Lake Mälaren is 1140 sq. km, it stretches for about 120 kilometers across Sweden and has over 1200 islands. The etymological name comes from the Old Norse word mælir, which appeared in historical records in the 1320s and means "gravel". Formerly known as Lǫgrinn, which means "lake" in Old Norse.
Geographic location
Lake Mälaren is located in a region with Archean rocks. The sediments around, especially in its northeastern and southern parts, are dominated by lime-rich clays. These areas are well suited for cultivation, and the use of inorganic fertilizers contributes to the nutrient enrichment of the reservoir. population growth andindustry around its territories was and remains very high. Lake Mälaren has become more eutrophic over the last 30-40 years. Its importance as a freshwater body of water is steadily growing.
In Sweden, Lake Mälaren is the third largest, and is a very complex system, consisting of bays of various nature. According to its topography, it can be divided into five basins, each of which has a special chemical and biological status. Seventy-five percent of the inflow enters the western part of the lake, but the inflow to the northeast region is also important. This means that the water flows in basically two directions (one from west to east and the other from northeast to south) before entering the junction with the B altic. Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is located at the outlet to the sea.
Historical information
Early descriptions mention the lake's importance as a route of communication between Stockholm and many inland cities. Another source from this period notes that the water tastes good and is drinkable. The lake is surrounded by small picturesque towns, as well as several historical sites - from luxurious royal castles (Grönsö, Skokloster and Gripsholm) to more modest mansions. Among all this splendor, the nearby Anundshög mound is especially impressive.
An interesting and valuable item from a historical point of view is an engraved map of Lake Mälaren printed in Sweden. This is the only surviving copy of one of the firstkart. It was created in 1614 by Andreas Bureus, but remained unknown until 1958. It was found among the pages of a 17th century atlas by a Swedish collector. Became the property of the National Library of Sweden in 1976.
The first published pictorial description of Sweden
In 1785, Johan Fischerström (1735–1794) compiled a description of Lake Mälaren. It includes one of the first recorded uses of the term "picturesque" in Sweden. Utkast til Beskrifning om Mälaren ("Draft description of Lake Mälaren") was drawn up in 1782 and published in the capital three years later. This is a description of the landscape of the area, written during a voyage from Stockholm to the city of Thorshall, undertaken in the late summer of 1782. The author shows the specific nature and character of the places and villages he encounters. Fischerström's book is a surprising combination of different themes: scientific ambition, the promotion of certain political ideas, and receptivity to the new pictorial ideals of the period.
Viking City
In the mid-700s, the city of Birka was founded on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren. This place is great for anyone interested in Sweden's exciting Viking past. It is believed that it was the Swedish king who initiated the creation of the city in an effort to control trade in northern Scandinavia - both politically and economically. The monarch himself lived a few kilometers away, in the town of Hovgården on Adels. At that time it was his duty to maintain order in the city andprotect the most important shopping center from looting.
Today, guests of the city can simply walk around the area, join a tour of archaeological sites or visit a museum. On top of the Borgberget, inside the ancient castle on Birka, you can find the Ansgar cross. This famous landmark was erected in 1834, a thousand years after the arrival of the missionary Ansgar in Birka. Also worth a visit is a reconstructed Viking village with typical forges and weaving houses.
Renaissance period castle
During the summer months, the lake is filled with boats that go to Drottingholm, the palace where the Swedish royal family lives, as well as to pretty Mariefred, a small town on the south shore with the magnificent Gripsholm Castle. The brick stronghold is surrounded by the waters of Melaren and majestically rises above the city. The history of the current castle begins in 1537, when construction was started by King Gustav Vasa. However, already in the XIV century there was a fortress built by the knight of the kingdom Grip Bo Jonsson, after whom the castle was named.
Today this legacy of past centuries is often featured in Lake Mälaren photos and attracts a large number of visitors who come to admire the luxurious rooms, touch history and see a large collection of portraits. Perhaps one of the main attractions is a stuffed lion from the 18th century. Its current popularity is dueby the fact that the taxidermist who is tasked with stuffing the body of a lion has probably never seen a live animal. As a result, the stuffed animal looks a little different than the lions we are used to seeing.
Film shooting
Mention of the lake can be found in the 1987 film "Pirates of Lake Mälaren". In the story, during their summer vacation, Joje, Jerker and Fabian steal a sailboat to explore the entire area. They go on a journey, but their plans are not destined to come true, because a storm begins and the ship sinks. The heroes go ashore, steal food and a new boat. They're having a great time while everyone else thinks they're dead.
