Marvelous Ekerö Municipality isn’t it? Before us lies a place steeped in history. A place where the past whispers secrets to the present. Ekerö Municipality is unique. It’s the only municipality in the Lake Mälaren region composed entirely of islands. Imagine 140 islands skerries and islets. A true archipelago.
Ekerö’s name itself speaks of its history. It means Oak Island. This refers to the main island Ekerön. This place is more than just islands. It’s home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
First Drottningholm Palace. This stunning palace served as the Renaissance home of King John III and Queen Catherine Jagellon. A fire ravaged the palace in 1661. It was rebuilt in the French Baroque style. Today it’s the permanent residence of the Swedish Royal Family. You can even visit parts of the extensive gardens. There’s the Palace Theatre. It dates back to 1766. It still stages operas using original machinery. The Chinese Pavilion another wonder. This Rococo masterpiece is filled with treasures from the Swedish East India Company.
Then there’s Birka. This ancient Viking Age village is the oldest urban site in Sweden. It flourished in the mid-eighth century. Archbishop Ansgar even tried to convert its inhabitants in the ninth century. Birka was mysteriously abandoned in the late tenth century. Excavations starting in 1871 uncovered around 1100 graves. Now there’s a museum there. Summer boats take many tourists to this historically important site.
But Ekerö isn’t only about grand palaces and Viking villages. Explore the municipality and you will encounter several runestones. You’ll see eight medieval churches. You’ll discover old towns. Discover Hovgården on Adelsö Island. This is another world heritage site. It boasts barrows thick walls and runestones. Alsnö hus stands nearby. These are the ruins of Magnus Barnlock’s summer residence. The Ordinance of Alsnö was created there laying the foundation for Swedish nobility. A Romanesque church also calls this island home. It dates from the twelfth century.
Then we have Drottningholmsmalmen. This residential area has roots in the Torvesund manor. The manor dates back to 1579-80. It sheltered Jesuits after the Reformation. In the 18th century craftsmen working at the Royal Palace settled here. The intention was to transform it into a suburb similar to Versailles. Several buildings by famous Swedish architects were added later.
Kanton a group of twenty buildings is close to the Chinese Pavilion. These were built in the 1750s and 60s. The buildings served as a prototype mercantile settlement. Around 70-80 people lived there producing luxury items. Elsa Beskow even used these buildings as inspiration for her fairy tales.
Ekerö’s history is full of stories. Legends like the tale of King Erik Vädderhatt. He supposedly escaped enemies by jumping off a cliff on Kungshatt island. Svartsjö Palace a former Folkung mansion has also seen many changes. Its Baroque and English gardens are remarkably preserved. Hilleshög Church is another sight to behold. It’s a Romanesque edifice with parts from the 17th 18th and later centuries. Many of its paintings have been carefully restored.
Ekebyhov palace is the oldest preserved wooden palace in Europe. It’s since 1980 owned by the municipality. Skytteholm Mansion is another historical treasure. It belonged to Johan Skytte the mentor of Gustavus Adolphus the Great. Ancient remains found on Helgö Island revealed eighth-century artifacts from Ireland Egypt and India. This hints at the extent of trade during this era. Kaggeholm Palace also resides on this island. The round church of Munsö Church is also a sight to see. It features medieval wooden sculptures.
Ekerö Municipality blends history nature and modern life creating a unique destination. Isn’t this a captivating story?