Sweden & the Swedish
After Latvia, I had some more steps to take. I flew from Riga to Stockholm, Sweden, with the plan of having my first Scandinavian Christmas at a Swedish home and, honestly, the experience was unforgettable. Some passport trouble at my arrival deserves a chapter on its own, but my being so absent minded so as to forget my hand bag in the plane, is something not common to most people. Yes, belive it! And Swedish policemen (and policewomen) became my most admired guys since then. Amazingly helpful and supportive!
I travelled the same night to Eskilstuna,a town about 100 kilometres west of Stockholm. A friend of mine, Peter, lives there and I had one of my best Christmas times with his parents, his brother's family and friends.
Eskilstuna was well-known as a flourishing industrial town as early as the 17th century. King Karl X Gustav founded the Rademacher Forges in 1650 when he asked Reinhold Rademacher, a master smith, to manage the forges. It is the place where the famous Swedish steel industry was probably born.The buildings are well preserved and various craftsmen are still working there.
Rademacher forges
While in Eskilstuna, we visited Torshälla, only a short distance from Eskilstuna, nestled into the countryside by the shores of lake Mälaren. It is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and received city rights as early as 1317 . There are proofs that the city already existed in the year 700 as an old heathen gathering place where the god Thor was worshipped. The name Torshälla origins from "Tors harg" which means place for sacrificing to Thor. The town is placed on an ancient trade route and it was a natural stop-over place where travelers made sacrifice to the gods.
In Torshälla
Lake Mälaren
Near Eskilstuna and Torshälla, by lake Mälaren, several monoliths with genuine viking carvings can be appreciated. It is just a question of stopping by the road while driving.
STOCKHOLM
Fortunate enough, I visited Stockholm twice. Built on 14 islands, where the lake Mälaren opens up into the Baltic Sea, the city offeres urivalled views.
The modern city is built surrounding an old, prefectly preserved mediaeval centre, known as Gamla Stan. Gamla Stan is also where the Royal Palace is situated.
Stockholm offers a wealth of museums and attractions. With Peter and Alberto, two Swedish friends, we visited Stockholm city museum, where a spooky exhibition about death was on. The man in the pictures was a famous executioner, who after killing a bunch of criminals, was executed himself. Food at museums is also great; if you have any doubt, just have a look at the creamy berry pie we devoured after the visit.
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