Oxelösund is a coastal town in the province of Södermanland that is famous for its steel plant and harbor. It is a fairly new town that has developed around the local industry. It is not far from the much more historically important town of Nyköping. Today this town in eastern Sweden is home to around 11.400 inhabitants as well as the massive steel plant of SSAB Oxelösund.
A Short History of Oxelösund
The history of Oxelösund can be split into two parts – before and after the construction of the railroad. This was originally an area or rather an island known as Oxelö. The island had a farmstead and it was the strait between the island of Oxelö and the nearby islands of Korsholmen and Furö that was known as Oxelösund. The importance of the strait as a natural harbor was known and a pilot station was established here in 1642.
In the 19th century, the town people of nearby Nyköping started considering Oxelösund a resort. The steamboats began operating between Nyköping and Norrköping in 1820 and their route included a stop in Oxelösund.
Industrial development began in the 1870s. Oxelösund had been identified as a potential harbor for the transport of iron from the area known as Bergslagen. The construction between Grängesberg and Oxelösund was completed in 1877, but it took a bit longer to complete the harbor. However, the main factor in the area’s development was built between 1914 and 1917. This was the ironwork today known as SSAB Oxelösund AB. The plant and its steel production have since been at the center of the development of Oxelösund, which received its town status in 1950.
The importance of the harbor and the plant’s steel production was one of the reasons why the peninsula of Femöre became the location of coastal artillery in the 1960s. This was the start of the fortification known as Femöresfortet which was in operation up until 1997.
Things to Do and See
Oxelösund might not have a long history but it has some charm. The steel plant is not a beautiful sight, but both the center and the old part of Oxelösund have their gems to explore. Then there is, of course, also the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
The Town Center
The center of the town is home to a few restaurants and shops. This is where you can visit Järntorget – the “Iron Square”. This is also where you will find many of the services associated with the municipality, such as the library and other community centers.
Gamla Oxelösund
Gamla Oxelösund is the old part of the town. This is the place where you once could find the local taverna with fishers and seamen being the usual customers. Today this is a calm area that is popular during the summer months. It is here that you can find Skärgårdsmuseet, a museum about the former life of fishermen in the archipelago.
Gamla Vattentornet
The old water tower dates to 1899. It is a brick tower that is 25 meters high and watches out over both the center of town as well as the steel plant. This is a listed building and we have not found information about if it is open to the public or not. Either way, it is an impressive landmark.
Oxelösunds Järnvägsmuseum
The railway has played an important role in the development of the town and in one of the former buildings of the railway is today the railway museum. The museum has a collection of engines, wagons, buildings, and other equipment to tell the story of the railway.
Femöre
Femöre is a peninsula just to the south of Oxelösund. It is home to the Femöre Nature Reserve which was established in 2006 and covers an area of 235 hectares of the peninsula, only excluding a few residential areas. The peninsula is a popular destination for many that want to walk around in nature or enjoy a waffle while enjoying the view of the Baltic Sea.
Read more here: Femöre, Södermanland – Exploring Sweden
Femörefortet
Femörefortet is the former coastal artillery. It has been a museum since 2003 but was before that an important part of the Swedish defense with an objective to defend the harbor. It is today possible to walk along the cliffs and see the massive guns still standing here.
Jogersö
Jogersö is an island to the west of Oxelösund. It is known for its recreational outdoor activities and many come here during the summer to swim at the beach or walk in the surrounding nature. The island is also home to the local camping ground.
How to Get to Oxelösund
- Flights: Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) is 20 kilometers to the north.
- Car: Oxelösund is along Road 53 south of Nyköping.
- Bus: Buses from Sörmlandstrafiken connect Oxelösund with the surrounding region.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 115 kilometers (1 h 20 min)
- Gothenburg – 379 kilometers (4 h 8 min)
- Malmö – 523 kilometers (5 h 37 min)
- Linköping – 111 kilometers (1 h 14 min)
- Kiruna – 1346 kilometers (15 h 35 min)
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