Askersund is a locality in the historical province of Närke. It lies along the northern shores of Lake Vättern – the second-largest lake in Sweden. This is a town of around 4200 inhabitants that is the seat of its own municipality in Örebro County. Askersund prides itself on the small-town feeling with many small wooden buildings and its two churches. But it is the waterfront that you will most likely best remember if you go there for a visit.
A Short History of Askersund
The first known mention of Eskersund dates back to the 14th century. Due to its location, Askersund soon became a market town with trading of local iron productions. The development continued and Askersund received its town privileges in 1643. The iron trade in the new town mostly consisted of nails with a few blacksmiths in the town forging them for the surrounding area. Askersund received a monopoly in the local nail trade in 1719.
The great fire of 1776 was pivotal for the history of Askersund. Three people died in the fire that consumed most of the town. The town was rebuilt with the help of donations and government aid, a task that took ten years. Askersund got connected to the ocean with the opening of Göta Canal in 1932. This included a ferry service to Göteborg in 1850. The railway joined the canal in 1873. Both these means of transporting goods helped in the establishment of smaller industries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Things to Do and See
Askersund is a beautiful small town with small central streets to explore and a waterfront at the shores of Lake Vättern. Exploring the coast with its view, the ice cream stands and the beaches is one way to enjoy a summer day. Askersund wakes up for the summer and there is a lot going on for a few months each year. This is where you can split town life with outdoor activities.
Askersund Hamn
Askersund Hamn, the harbor, is one of the main meeting points in town during the summer months. This is where you can watch the boats while enjoying an ice cream or getting something to eat.
Borgmästarholmen
Borgmästareholmen is an island just outside of Askerssund. It is connected to the town by a small walking bridge. The island is dedicated to outdoor activities such as swimming, walking, camping, and a lot more.
Strandpromenaden
Strandpromenaden is the walking path along the waterfront of Lake Vättern. It will take you from the marina all the way to the beach Hagabadet offering some nice views along the way.
Sagers Stuga
Sagers Stuga is the oldest building in Askersund. It survived the fire of 1776 and its inhabitants have been possible to track back to 1752. However, nobody seems to know when the little house was built.
Hagabadet
Hagabadet is a local beach just to the east of the center. It has the essential facilities as well as a smaller jetty.
Hembygdsgården
Hembygdsgården is the home of the local heritage society and it was inaugurated in 1933. It can be considered an open-air museum with old traditional buildings that have been moved here from the area surrounding Askersund. Most of the buildings date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Kulturhuset Sjöängen
Sjöängen is the cultural center in Askersund and it includes spaces for events and meetings. This is also where you will find the local art gallery, the public library, and a movie theatre.
Sofia Magdalena Kyrka
Sofia Magdalena Church is the town church of Askersund. It is a stone church that was inaugurated in 1780 as it replaced the former timber church that was lost in the fire of 1776. The church is today a part of the Askersund-Hammar Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Askersunds Landskyrka
Askersunds Landskyrka was the church for the rural area around the town. The church was inaugurated in 1670 and replaced a former wooden church from the Middle Ages that had been lost in a fire in 1661. This church is also today a part of the Askersund-Hammar Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
How to Get to Askersund
- Flights: Örebro Airport (ORB) is 53 kilometers to the north.
- Car: Askersund is along Road 50 between Kumla and Motala.
- Bus: Local buses from Länstrafiken Örebro connect Lännäs with the surrounding region.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 242 kilometers (2 h 46 min)
- Gothenburg – 259 kilometers (3 h 24 min)
- Malmö – 451 kilometers (5 h 10 min)
- Linköping – 89 kilometers (1 h 14 min)
- Kiruna – 1350 kilometers (16 h)
Find out more about other destinations in Sweden by visiting our page Exploring Sweden
