Lunde is a small locality along the river Ångermanälven. Once important for the transport of timber along the river, it now houses around 2.700 inhabitants. But the place has a dark history, from a time when strikes resulted in bloody interventions by the military.
A Short History of Lunde
Lunde and the area of Ådalen grew with the industrialization and especially in regards to transports along the river Ångermanälven. Workers from all over Sweden, but also from Norway and Finland came to the area.
It was also the workers who put Lunde and Ådalen on the map. A wave of strikes took place in the area in 1930 and demonstrators were going after strikebreakers. As the police were unable to manage the situation, the military was soon deployed to protect the strikebreakers. The 14th of May 1931 3000-4000 demonstrators had gathered and were heading to Lunde to find strikebreakers. They faced the soldiers, whose command thought he saw weapons among the ranks of the demonstrators. As the soldiers opened fire, the situation worsened, even though they were ordered to fire in the ground in front of the demonstrators. The death toll eventually reached five. This was the last time the military supported the police in Sweden.
Only a year later and a day prior to the outbreak of World War II, another disaster happened in Lunde. During the construction of Sandö Bridge, the bridge collapsed and 18 people were killed. The second attempt to build the bridge was completed successfully in 1943.
Things to do and see in Lunde
Lunde is a small locality with no major attractions, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to explore. Once you have enjoyed the nature around Lunde, it might be time to have a look at our suggestions below.
Ådalen Monument
A monument for the events of 1930 was raised at the 50-year anniversary. The artist behind it is Lenny Clarhäll, born 1838. The history is told with signs around the monument.
Ådalens Veteranbilsmuseum
Torbring Forsman and his sons had one common interest, collecting antique cars. The museum opened in 1993 and now contains around 50 cars and other vehicles.
Sandö Bridge
Completed in 1943, after the disastrous collapse in 1939, the Sandö Bridge stretches across the river Ångermanälven. The bridge is in two parts, connected at the island Sandö in the middle. The bridges are 811 and 277 meters long.
How to get to Lunde
- Flights: Höga Kusten Airport (KRF) is located 28 kilometers north of Lunde and connects the area with the Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) for connections around the globe.
- Car: Lunde is located a few kilometers inland from the highway E4, along road 90 towards Sollefteå.
- Train: Closest train stations are in Härnösand and Kramfors, from where local busses are available.
- Bus: Several long-distance bus routes along the Swedish northern coast stops nearby, especially in Ullånger, from where local busses are available.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 460 kilometers (4 h 36 min)
- Gothenburg – 813 kilometers (8 h 44 min)
- Malmö – 1068 kilometers (10 h 22 min)
- Linköping – 655 kilometers (6 h 31 min)
- Kiruna – 785 kilometers (8 h 54 min)
Find out more about other destinations in Sweden by visiting our page Exploring Sweden
