Ålkistan

Gazing upon Ålkistan, can you imagine the secrets held within this unassuming canal? Ålkistan, meaning “The Eel Hatch,” isn’t just a waterway. It’s a portal through time, connecting us to Stockholm’s rich past. This tranquil canal, nestled between Lilla Värtan and Lake Brunnsviken, defines the border between Bergshamra in Solna and northern Djurgården. Ålkistan’s story begins long before the canal itself. In 1649, maps of Djurgården already mentioned “The Eel Hatch Cottage,” “The Eel Hatch Hillside,” and “The Eel Hatch Bay.” Eels were once plentiful in the rivulet flowing into the bay. Fishermen used cages, known as “kista” or “coffins” in Swedish, to trap them. This ingenious method gave Ålkistan its peculiar name. By the mid-19th century, Lake Brunnsviken, then used as a refuse dump, was becoming increasingly polluted. Mud threatened to clog the rivulet, turning the lake into a stagnant sewer. King Charles XV, recognizing the impending environmental disaster, ordered the construction of the Ålkistan canal in 1863. The canal lowered Brunnsviken’s water level by two meters, improving water flow and mitigating the pollution. A wooden bridge, designed with a mobile flap to accommodate boat traffic, was also built. This bridge was later replaced in 1937 and again in 1972, each iteration reflecting the evolving needs of the area. For a brief period, from 1885 to 1923, Ålkistan even boasted a railway stop on the Roslag Railway. Though the railway remains operational, the trains no longer pause at this serene location. Today, Ålkistan remains a navigable canal, albeit with restrictions on vessel size. Nearby, the modern residential area of Sfären, or “The Sphere,” stands in quiet contrast to the historical waterway. As you stand here, at Ålkistan, listen closely. The whispers of history are carried on the gentle breeze, reminding us of the ingenuity and foresight that shaped this unique corner of Stockholm.