Torshälla
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Torshälla | |
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  Torshälla
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| Coordinates: 59°25′N 16°28′E / 59.417°N 16.467°ECoordinates: 59°25′N 16°28′E / 59.417°N 16.467°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Södermanland |
| County | Södermanland County |
| Municipality | Eskilstuna Municipality |
| Area [1] | |
| - Total | 5.56 km2 (2.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2005-12-31)[1] | |
| - Total | 7,614 |
| - Density | 1,369/km2 (3,545.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Torshälla is a locality situated in Eskilstuna Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 7,614 inhabitants in 2005.[1]
Before the local government reform of 1971 Torshälla was a city municipality of its own. A new proposal to detach Torshälla from Eskilstuna Municipality was turned down in a referendum in 2006.
Torshälla is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and received city rights as early as 1317 from King Birger. Part of the Church of Torshälla is from 1100 but there is evidence that the city already existed in the year 700 as an old heathen gathering place where the god Thor was worshipped.
Torshälla is for historical reasons normally referred to as a city even if it does not have a population of 10,000 which is the limit defined by Statistics Sweden.
The name Torshälla stems from Þors harg, which means "place for sacrificing to Thor". This is due to the fact that the town is located at the very first rapids between Lake Mälaren and Lake Hjälmaren, an ancient trade route dating back well before 1000 AD[citation needed]. Torshälla was a natural place for resting and making sacrifice to the gods. Several archeological digs have unconvered two (possibly three) "strong houses", that is, small fortresses or castles.
[edit] Notable residents
Anni-Frid Lyngstad, formerly of ABBA, grew up in Torshälla. Today, 1984 Miss Universe pageant winner Yvonne Ryding is one of the better known residents of Torshälla.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2000 och 2005" (in Swedish) (xls). Statistics Sweden. http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%c3%a4torternami0810tab1.xls. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Torshälla |
- (Swedish) article Torshälla from Nordisk familjebok
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Torshälla is one of 133 places with the historical city status in Sweden. |
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