Sätra varv

Did you know that Sättra varv once bustled with over 40 workers? Picture this bustling shipyard on the shores of Lake Mälaren. Sättra varv wasn’t just any shipyard. From 1878 to 1935 it was a vital hub for repairing and constructing sailing vessels and barges. It thrived under several owners. First Johan Land a brick merchant started the business. Then the Berggren brothers took over. Finally Stockholm’s Transport and Towing Company TB owned it. TB was one of Sweden’s largest towing companies. In its heyday Sättra varv’s fleet exceeded 300 vessels. The shipyard’s peak productivity was during the years 1918-1919. The last ship built at Sättra varv was the Tebe in 1919 a cargo motor vessel. This was a collaborative effort with Ekensbergs varv. After that only repairs were done until 1935 when the shipyard closed. Imagine the scene the cacophony of hammers the smell of wood and tar. Over 20 buildings once stood at Sättra varv. Worker housing Bergsbo I-III a builder’s residence offices and workshops all existed there. Many buildings were unfortunately demolished after the shipyard’s closure. Today only foundation remains. The area now belongs to Sättraskogens nature reserve. A few worker houses still exist though. Some are now artist studios. Workshops and art courses are sometimes held there. Another surviving structure is Rostock a cottage from the early 17th century. It once housed Nils Nilsson the shipyard’s foreman. A short walk along the Mälaren shore brings you to the ruins of Arboga kök another old pub which sadly burned down in 1967. The current use of Sättra varv is fascinating. It’s now a small boat harbor and storage area for the Sättra Boat Club. Sättra Varv’s Interest Association SVI manages the boat storage. This is entirely run by volunteers. About 500 boats are stored there every winter. This continues a tradition from the mid 1960s. Even the construction of Förbifart Stockholm a major roadway project which will be completed by 2026 impacts Sättra varv. A construction tunnel will end near it. So next time you visit Sättra varv remember its rich history its dedicated workers and its transformation from a bustling shipyard to a tranquil boat harbor. It is a reminder of Stockholm’s industrial past integrated seamlessly into its natural beauty.