Vaxholm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vaxholm
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![Vaxholm Town Hall [sv]](/Image:Vaxholm_21_2010.jpg)
Vaxholm Town Hall
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 Vaxholm
Location in Stockholm
Vaxholm
Location in Sweden
Vaxholm
Location in European Union
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Uppland |
| County | Stockholm County |
| Municipality | Vaxholm Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.29 km2 (0.88 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2020)
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| • Total | 6,151 |
| Demonyms |
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| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Vaxholm is a charming city and urban area in Sweden. It is located in Stockholm County and is the main town of Vaxholm Municipality. Vaxholm sits on the islands of Vaxön and Kullö, which are part of the beautiful Stockholm archipelago.
The name Vaxholm comes from the famous Vaxholm Fortress. This fortress was built way back in 1549 on a small island nearby called Vaxholmen. Even though Vaxholm is called a "city," it has a small population. In 2020, about 6,151 people lived there. The Vaxholm Municipality often calls its whole area, including 64 small islands, the "City of Vaxholm."
A Brief History of Vaxholm
Vaxholm has a long and interesting past, especially because of its important fortress.
Why Was Vaxholm Fortress Built?
The Vaxholm Fortress was first built in 1548 by King Gustav Vasa. Its main job was to protect Stockholm from attacks by ships coming from the east. The fortress is located right in the middle of the Kodjupet strait. This strait is one of the two main water routes into Stockholm from the open sea.
How Did the Town of Vaxholm Start?
The town of Vaxholm began in 1558. It is located next to the fortress, but on the western side of the Kodjupet strait. King Gustav Vasa bought some farms here to start the town. Later, Vaxholm gained special rights as a merchant town. In 1652, it received a Royal Charter, which made it an official city. The city's coat of arms shows its history, with symbols for both its defenses and its shipping industry.
Vaxholm as a Popular Resort Town
In 1849, a steamboat service started running from Stockholm to Vaxholm. This made Vaxholm a very popular place to visit. By the 1860s, many people from Stockholm built wooden summer houses there. It became a favorite spot, especially for swimming and relaxing. The company that started this service is now known as Waxholmsbolaget.
Building Materials and Bridges
For a long time, houses in Vaxholm could only be built from wood. This gave the town a special look. It wasn't until 1912 that people were allowed to use other building materials.
Vaxholm got its first road connection to the mainland in 1926. This was the single-lane Pålsundsbron bridge. It connected Vaxholm to the Bogesundslandet peninsula to the south. Later, in 1965, the wider Vaxholmsbron bridge was built. This bridge connects Vaxholm to the island of Kullö to the north-west, carrying a county road towards the mainland.
How Vaxholm's Urban Area Has Grown
Until 2020, the main urban area of Vaxholm was only on the island of Vaxön. However, in 2020, the urban area was officially changed. It now includes the nearby island of Kullö as well.
Getting Around Vaxholm
Even though Vaxholm is on an island, it's easy to reach!
Road and Bus Connections
Vaxholm is connected to the Swedish mainland by a series of road bridges. There is also a bus service that takes people directly from Vaxholm to Stockholm city.
Ferry Services and Island Hopping
The Waxholmsbolaget and other ferry companies offer boat services. You can take a boat to central Stockholm or to many other islands in the Stockholm archipelago. These boats include both classic old steamers and modern, fast passenger ferries.
Special Ferries in Vaxholm
The Vaxholmsleden car ferry connects Vaxholm to the island of Rindö. This ferry crosses the Kodjupet strait. There's also the Kastellet ferry, which is an electric cable ferry. This ferry takes passengers to the Vaxholm Fortress, located on its own small island in the middle of the Kodjupet.
Sports Clubs in Vaxholm
Vaxholm is home to several sports clubs where you can play different games and activities:
- IFK Vaxholm
- Vaxholms IBF
- Vaxholms TK
- IK Waxholm
- Waxholms KK
Images for kids
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A wide view of Vaxholm.
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Vaxholm during a canoe competition in 1938.
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Vaxholm in 2013.
