Nässkansen is a former fortification in Botkyrka Municipality. It is located at the strait Skanssundet with the island of Mörkö on the other side. It is today home to a ferry slip, that is used to connect the two sides with a car ferry. You can also find a few remains of the former coastal fortifications here, these once protected the city of Södertälje a bit further into the bay. Just across the strait at what is today Skansholmen was once another coastal artillery.
A Short History of Skanssundet
In the 17th century, there were two waterways connecting Södertälje and Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea. These passed the island of Mörkö on both sides. The two waterways had no coastal defenses but that was about to change. In anticipation of an expected attack in 1623 by the Polish king Sigismund, four coastal defenses were built. Two of these were located at the strait today known as Skanssundet. There was one on each side of the water. One of the coastal defenses was here on the peninsula known as Näslandet and became known as Nässkansen.
The fortifications did, however, not prevent the Russians from burning Södertälje in 1719. The Swedish forces had at the time left the fortifications. It took until the beginning of the 20th century before the four coastal artilleries came to use again. The fortifications were once more manned at the start of the First World War in 1914. This was due to the mobilization of Swedish forces that followed the outbreak of the war. The fortification remained in use until 1927 when all four coastal artilleries were decommissioned.
Things to Do and See
Many might just be traveling through with the car ferry, but if you decide to make a stop here you have the opportunity to enjoy some nice views and an historical sight. The coastal artillery is one of the sights, but also the strait itself has something to offer.
Nässkansen
The site of the coastal artillery is one of the main sights here. Not much of it is not visible today, but a canon is pointed out across the strait. The canon is joined by a small picnic area and the coast has several good spots to enjoy the view of the landscape.
Skanssundet
The Skanssundet Strait is a narrow body of water between Nässkansen and Skansholmen. The free ferry takes travelers across and is in itself an interesting sight. This is also where you can see some of the larger vessels traveling between the Baltic Sea and Södertälje or Lake Mälaren.
How to Get to Skanssundet
- Flights: Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) is 68 kilometers to the southwest.
- Car: Skanssundet is on countryside roads between Södertälje and Vagnhärad.
- Bus: Buses from SL connect Skanssundet with the surrounding region of Stockholm County.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 50 kilometers (56 min)
- Gothenburg – 431 kilometers (5 h 10 min)
- Malmö – 574 kilometers (6 h 48 min)
- Linköping – 163 kilometers (2 h 11 min)
- Kiruna – 1281 kilometers (15 h 16 min)
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