Märsta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Märsta
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Märsta at night (Märstapunkten)
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 Märsta
Location in Stockholm
Märsta
Location in Sweden
Märsta
Location in European Union
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| Country | Sweden | |
| Province | Uppland | |
| County | Stockholm County | |
| Municipality | Sigtuna Municipality | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7.64 km2 (2.95 sq mi) | |
| Population
(31 December 2020)
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| • Total | 29,815 | |
| • Density | 3,902.5/km2 (10,107/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Märsta is a town in Sweden, located near Stockholm. It's part of the larger Stockholm County and is the main town of Sigtuna Municipality. In 2020, about 29,815 people lived there.
Märsta is very close to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden's main international airport. Even though it's a modern place today, Märsta has a long history going back to around 500 AD.
The town has different kinds of homes, from apartment buildings to smaller houses. Märsta is growing, with new neighborhoods being built. You can easily get to Märsta by Stockholm commuter rail trains or by bus from Arlanda Airport.
In the center of Märsta, you'll find "Märsta Centrum," a shopping area with many stores, restaurants, and a pub. There's also a smaller shopping area called "Valsta Centrum."
Contents
What Does the Name Märsta Mean?
The name Märsta comes from a very old time, around 500 AD. Back then, many of the valleys in Märsta were still covered by water.
The first part of the name, Mär-, is like the Swedish word "mjärde," which is a tool used for fishing. The second part, -sta, means a place or area, similar to the Swedish word "stad" (city). So, Märsta means "place to fish" or "fishing-place."
Where is Märsta Located?
Märsta is located north of Steningevik, which is a bay of the big lake Mälaren. The town's main area is in a valley called Märstadal.
The train station is in an area called Sätuna. The buildings of Märsta are spread out over hills and valleys. A small river called Märstaån flows through the town and into Steningevik.
Märsta is also right next to the E4 motorway. It's about 37 kilometers (23 miles) north of central Stockholm and 33 kilometers (20 miles) south of Uppsala. It's only about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Arlanda Airport.
Märsta's Special Symbol: The Coat of Arms
The coat of arms (a special symbol or emblem) for Märsta was created by combining symbols from two old areas called Ärlinghundra and Seminghundra. These areas are now part of Märsta.
The combined symbol, which has been used since 1568, shows a golden key and a golden axe crossed on a red background. The key was the symbol for Ärlinghundra and meant "the key to heaven's gates." The axe was the symbol for Seminghundra and represented the axe that killed Saint Olaf. Seminghundra was also known as a place where criminals were executed long ago.
Märsta used to be its own municipality (a type of local government area) from 1952 to 1970. The coat of arms was made in 1954. When Märsta joined with Sigtuna Municipality in 1971, this specific coat of arms was no longer used as a municipal symbol.
A Look Back: Märsta's History
People have lived in the Märsta area since the Stone Age. Because it was a traditional Viking Age land, many old remains from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Viking Age have been found here. You can still see many runestones and old ruins of stone castles and walls.
Long ago, the Märsta area had large farms and small communities, which were common in the Uppland province. Märsta itself was once just one of these farms. However, because it was an important stop on the road between Stockholm and Uppsala, the farm became an inn for travelers. This important road has been used since the Viking Age and even earlier.
During the time of the Swedish Empire, many rich nobles owned land in the area. They built grand palaces like Steninge, Skånelaholm, Rosersberg, and Venngarn. Sweden's oldest public school, built in 1697, is also in the Märsta area and is now a museum.
The first telegraph pole in Sweden was put up in Märsta in 1853. The train station was built in the 1860s. Today, it's the northern end for commuter trains in Stockholm.
The Märsta municipality was formed in 1952 by combining several smaller areas. In 1971, the towns of Sigtuna and Märsta joined together to form Sigtuna Municipality. Märsta became the main town where the local government meets.
In 1957, the Swedish government decided to build Stockholm's new international airport, Stockholm Arlanda, near Märsta. They also planned to build a town for airport employees to live in, and this town was located in Märsta. Because of this, Märsta's population grew very quickly in the 1960s. Many of the buildings you see in Märsta today were built during that time.
Fun and Learning: Culture and Education
Märsta has a private movie theater called "Biokällan i Forum." There's also a public theater called "Kulturum," which is Märsta's place for plays, concerts, and meetings. It opened in 1980 and has 454 seats. Local shows, school concerts, and conferences are held here. The town council even uses it for their meetings once a month. Kulturum is in the same building as Märsta's high school, Arlandagymnasiet.
Like many towns in Sweden, Märsta has schools for all ages. There are preschools, elementary schools, and a high school (Arlandagymnasiet). There's also a school for adults who want to continue their education. You can find a public library in the town center, Märsta Centrum.
Work and Jobs in Märsta
Märsta has some local businesses. There are two big factories that make paint: Beckers Industrial Coatings AB and Becker Acroma (now part of Sherwin-Williams). There are also companies that handle transport and shipping in the area.
However, most people who live in Märsta work at Stockholm Arlanda Airport or in Stockholm City.
Images for kids
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Residential area in Märsta
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Residential high rise in Märsta
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Central parts of Märsta
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Märsta Railway Station
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Valsta Centrum
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Commutertrain at Märsta Railway Station
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Märsta in the evening
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Large residential complex in Tingvalla, Märsta
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The sculpture "Blue Shape" by Larz Eldbåge in Märsta
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Märsta Music and Culture School and Library
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High rise in central parts of Märsta
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Märsta Entrance Residential Area
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New high rise at Märsta station seen from south
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Valsta Watertower in Märsta By Night
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Märsta railway station seen from train side.
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Märsta railway station
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High rise at Märsta railway station
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Märsta railway station.
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Märsta from east.
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Residential area in the center of Märsta through a fish eye lens.
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The church of Husby-Ärlinghundra. One of many churches in Märsta dating back to the early Medieval age.
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Ekillagård Pedestrian Bridge.
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Ekillaskolan in Märsta.
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Sculpture in a roundabout at Steningehöjden.
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St Johannes Orthodox Church in Valsta, Märsta.
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New residential area close to Märsta Centrum.
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Arlandagymnasiet, a large Upper secondary school in Märsta
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Forum in Märsta, Sweden. This is a local cinema and cultural meeting point run by the municipality
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Valsta watertower in Märsta is a famous landmark
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New high rise building in centre of Märsta
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Commuter trains waiting for next assignment in Märsta
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Entrance to Märsta Centrum shopping area
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Saetuna Upper Primary school in Märsta
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Pinbackshallen indoor icehockey rink in Märsta
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Arkaden close to Märsta Centrum
