Stallarholmen

Stallarholmen is a locality situated in Strängnäs Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 1,623 inhabitants in 2010.[1]

Stallarholmen
Stallarholmen Show map of Södermanland Stallarholmen Show map of Sweden
Coordinates: 59°22′N 17°12′E
Country	Sweden
Province	Södermanland
County	Södermanland County
Municipality	Strängnäs Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	1.95 km2 (0.75 sq mi)
Population  (31 December 2010)[1]
• Total	1,623
• Density	832/km2 (2,150/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Stallarholmen, located on Lake Mälaren is situated partly on the mainland and partly on the island of Selaön, Sweden's largest freshwater island. The island and the mainland are connected via a bridge built in the mid 20th century.

The etymology of the name Stallarholmen may be related to stables ("stall") and small islands ("holme"). An article in Strengnäs Tidning from 1927 says the word "holme" refers to the isthmus that juts out from the mainland. Another suggested etymology relates to King Charles XI of Sweden stabling his horses and exchanging carriages in Stallarholmen during his regular trips to Kungsör. Although out of the way in summer, during winter travel over ice made this a convenient stop. However, Charles XI was king in the late 17th century, while there is reference to the name Stallarholmen in the letters of Gustav Vasa from the 1540s and 1550s, making this etymology somewhat dubious.

The land around Stallarholmen, both on the mainland and on Selaön, consists largely of clay. Brickworks were a primary industry in the area until the late 1970s. Selaön was home to several brickworks, including Nasby, Fiskarudden, Valla and Husby. On the mainland were several more, including Sundby and Räfsnäs. All but Husby Brickyard, the largest and last to close, are now demolished. The former Husby premises now house several small businesses and a marina.

Stallarholmen surrounding area contains 25 runestones, most of them on Selaön. This is the highest concentration in Södermanland.

A major recurring event in Stallarholmen is the Viking Festival. This festival, which features Viking style entertainers, craftsmen, drama and games attracts thousands of visitors each year. Since 2003 it has taken place on Selaön during the first weekend of July. In 2006 a newly carved runestone was raised at the location with the inscription "Stallarholmens Vikings raised this stone as a link between the past and the future".