Kolbottensjön

Gazing across Kolbottensjön, can you envision a time when this tranquil lake was part of a bustling Viking waterway? Kolbottensjön, nestled between Erstavik and Saltsjö-Duvnäs, whispers tales of a distant past. Officially one of Järlasjön’s basins, this seemingly unassuming body of water holds a key to Stockholm’s rich history. Its name, meaning “charcoal bottom,” originates from a charcoal production site for Nacka bruk. Imagine the activity here centuries ago, the air thick with smoke and the sounds of industry echoing across the water. A map from 1690 depicts this lake simply as “Träsk,” meaning swamp. Interestingly, on this map, east of the lake, an inn named “Kåhlboten” is marked. By 1714, the name evolves to “Kålbotn” and “Kålbotten,” slowly morphing into the Kolbottensjön we know today. In the 1850s, it was referred to as “Kålbottens pussen,” meaning a small, shallow body of water, which it remains to this day. This shallow lake is a remnant of a vital Viking-age waterway. This route stretched from the Baltic Sea, through present-day Lännerstasundet and Duvnäsviken, into Kolbottensjön, then through Järlasjön and Sicklasjön, finally reaching Hammarby Sjö and Årstaviken before flowing into Mälaren. Land elevation eventually severed this connection, transforming Kolbottensjön into the quiet retreat we see now. Today, a narrow canoe route through a pipe bridge under the Saltsjöbaden road connects Kolbottensjön westward to Järlasjön. During the 17th century, a busy winter road crossed this area, leading from Värmdö church over Hammarby Sjö towards Stockholm. Close to Kolbottensjön’s eastern end, in the 18th century, stood a popular tavern, Kolbottens Wärdshus. This establishment attracted notable figures, including Carl Gustaf Tessin and Märta Helena Reenstierna, known as “Årstafrun,” who mentioned it in her diaries. In the 1890s, the Saltsjöbanan railway was constructed through this valley, passing by Kolbottensjön, and the Saltsjö-Duvnäs station was built near the lake’s eastern side. Just south of the station, a well-preserved manor house from the mid-18th century still stands, a testament to the area’s rich past. This building, formerly called Övre Kolbotten, belonged to one of the tenant farmers under Erstavik. Kolbottensjön stands as a quiet reminder of Stockholm’s dynamic history, its shallow waters reflecting the echoes of Vikings, traders, and travelers who once traversed this important route.