Märsta

Sweden

Märsta is with its 27,000 inhabitants the largest city in Sigtuna Municipality in Stockholm County in Sweden. It is located between the capital Stockholm, some 35 km to the south, and Sweden's fourth largest city Uppsala, some 30 km to the north, and some 4 km from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.

Märsta has historically been an important postal stop on the route between Stockholm and Uppsala. As a railway opened between these cities in 1866 and Märsta became one of the railway stops. In 1960 Stockholm-Arlanda Airport opened only a few kilometres from Märsta, and the city grew from some 2,900 inhabitants in 1960 to 16,400 in 1970. When the city was constructed it was intended to cover four hills; Valsta, Pinbacken, Brista and Norrbacka. However, as Arlanda expanded it was deemed that Pinbacken and Brista where too close to the airport, wherefore only Valsta and Norrbacka where settled. As a consequence of this the economic and cultural centre of Märsta is actually located in the geographical outskirts of the city.

Rosersberg is a small settlement between Märsta and Stockholm's northern suburbs, notable for the two palaces Rosersberg and Skånelaholm, and the beautiful lake Frysingen.

  • Konsthall Märsta, Nymärsta Kulle 1. A local art hall. Free.
  • Rosersberg Palace. A 17th-century Baroque palace built at the height of the Swedish Empire, used as the summer residence of Charles XIV John (named Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, serving as Napoleon's general, before his coronation) during the early 19th century. The palace museum offers guided tours during summer. Textile furnishings are original; this is very unusual, as textiles are normally replaced as they wear out through the years. The palace contains an early replica of the United States Declaration of Independence, gifted from the USA in 1801, as well as other interesting artefacts.
  • Skånelaholm Palace. A 17th-century country castle, open for visitors during summer.
  • Steninge Slott, Steninge Slottsväg 141. A 17th-century castle. Today it is has a cafe and a market hall.

Konsthall Märsta, Nymärsta Kulle 1. A local art hall. Free.

Rosersberg Palace. A 17th-century Baroque palace built at the height of the Swedish Empire, used as the summer residence of Charles XIV John (named Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, serving as Napoleon's general, before his coronation) during the early 19th century. The palace museum offers guided tours during summer. Textile furnishings are original; this is very unusual, as textiles are normally replaced as they wear out through the years. The palace contains an early replica of the [[United States]] Declaration of Independence, gifted from the USA in 1801, as well as other interesting artefacts.

Skånelaholm Palace. A 17th-century country castle, open for visitors during summer.

Steninge Slott, Steninge Slottsväg 141. A 17th-century castle. Today it is has a cafe and a market hall.

  • Several beaches for open-water swimming. Hiking, cycling, fishing and bathing during summer. Ice-skating and cross-country skiing during winter.
  • Fysingen. A scenic lake, known for its many bird species.

Several beaches for open-water swimming. [[Hiking]], [[cycling]], [[fishing]] and [[bathing]] during summer. [[Ice-skating]] and [[cross-country skiing]] during winter.

Fysingen. A scenic lake, known for its many bird species.

  • Märsta Centrum, Stationsgatan. 30 stores; supermarket, pharmacy, Systembolaget liquor store, library, cafés, etc.

Märsta Centrum, Stationsgatan. 30 stores; supermarket, pharmacy, Systembolaget liquor store, library, cafés, etc.

  • Fyra Små Rätter, Stationsgatan 6, +46 8-591 406 00. An Asian restaurant
  • Teatergrillen, Stockholmsvägen 27, +46 8-591 143 87.
  • Vimamus Café, Stationsgatan 3C, +46 8-591 111 69. A bar and restaurant

Fyra Små Rätter, Stationsgatan 6, +46 8-591 406 00. An Asian restaurant

Teatergrillen, Stockholmsvägen 27, +46 8-591 143 87.

Vimamus Café, Stationsgatan 3C, +46 8-591 111 69. A bar and restaurant

  • Magasinet, Nymärsta torg 6, +46 8-591 234 10. A restaurant and sports pub.

Magasinet, Nymärsta torg 6, +46 8-591 234 10. A restaurant and sports pub.

  • Sigtuna - Was once the capital of Sweden. The contemporary town was built as a nationalist project in the 1910s.
  • Stockholm - The current capital of Sweden. By far the largest and most influential city in the area.
  • Stockholm Arlanda Airport - The largest airport in Sweden. Has a large shopping and recreational area called "Sky City" outside of the transit zone.
  • Uppsala - The fourth city in Sweden by population. Once a centre of Viking activity, it is today a religious and academic centre.