Hammarby is a small settlement in Eskilstuna Municipality in Södermanland County. This is a rural area between the city of Eskilstuna and Lake Mälaren. This was once, with its church, the seat of the local parish. Today the church has a population of around 80 inhabitants in the surrounding settlement.
A Short History of Hammarby
Hammarby Parish has its origins in the Middle Ages and the parish church is believed to have been built here in the 12th century. The parish church was the center of social and religious life in the area for centuries until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This meant that the responsibilities of the parish were split between the new civic government of Hammarby Municipality and the church congregation. In 1952, the municipality was incorporated into Kalfjärden Municipality, which in turn became a part of Eskilstuna Municipality in 1971. The church congregation is since 1995 a part of the Kalfjärden Congregation.
Things to Do and See
The church is the most prominent building in this part of rural Södermanland. There is also a runestone here and many small countryside roads to explore.
Hammarby Church
The former parish church is today the smallest church within the Kalfjärden Congregation. It is a white stone church with a red roof. The church is believed to have been built in the 12th century. Many alterations and additions later and there are just a few parts of the church dating back to its origins. The Kalfjärden Congregation is a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Runestone Sö 89
There is one runestone here and it stands next to the church wall. It is about two meters high and its two parts have been re-assembled.
How to Get to Hammarby
- Flights: The nearest airport is Stockholm Västerås Airport (VST) 56 kilometers to the north. Sweden’s largest airport, Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), is 145 kilometers to the east.
- Car: Hammarby is on countryside roads to the north of Eskilstuna.
- Bus: Buses from Sörmlandstrafiken connect Hammarby with the surrounding area.
- Train: The closest train station is in Eskilstuna.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 108 kilometers (1 h 10 min)
- Gothenburg – 375 kilometers (4 h 20 min)
- Malmö – 572 kilometers (6 h 20 min)
- Linköping – 160 kilometers (2 h 10 min)
- Kiruna – 1273 kilometers (13 h 50 min)
Explore More of Södermanland and Sweden
This area seems to have such an interesting history; thanks for sharing this! I’d love to spend some time visiting the church; it’s so nice to wander around and take in some of the sites!