Imagine, Russian ships bobbing gently in this very bay. This is Ryssviken. It is a story that may not be what you expect.
Ryssviken is a charming bay. It is part of Saltsjön. You can find it west of Waldemarsudde and east of Rosenvik. This bay graces the southern shores of Djurgården in Stockholm.
Old maps from the 1690s call the inner part of Waldemarsviken either Rijssviken or Ryssvikan. A 1702 map of Stockholm by Werner von Rosenfelt labels it Rysswiken. The origin of the name Ryssviken remains a mystery.
Interestingly, its name might not be connected to Russia at all. One theory suggests Russian ships anchored here. They were kept away from central Stockholm.
Back in 1733, Rysswiken was more than just a bay. It was also a tavern and a hunting lodge. Later, the inn became known as Våffelbruket. Sadly, the building vanished in the 1820s.
The area near Oakhill was once called Ryssbacken. Prince Wilhelm built a palace there. Ferdinand Boberg designed it. The palace was completed in 1910.
Since 1926, the palace has housed the Italian Embassy in Stockholm. Near the bay, there is a large marina. The Navigationssällskapet is based there. Architect Ferdinand Boberg also had a home here. He bought Villa Vintra in 1902. He lived there with his wife Anna until 1925.
Today, Ryssviken includes a harbor. It is for leisure boats managed by the Navigationssällskapet. Across Stockholm’s waterway from Ryssviken, there is another Ryssviken in Nacka. It is better known as Svindersviken.
Despite its name, Ryssviken probably has nothing to do with Russians. The name may come from “viken där ryssjor är utlagda”. This translates to “the bay where fish traps are placed”. However, this explanation is uncertain.
So as you stand here at Ryssviken think of its unknown history. The next time you visit, ponder its intriguing past. It is a place with layers of stories.