Historic Vaxholm
Military, fishermen and resort life
Vaxholm was granted town rights in 1647, but areas around Vaxholm were already inhabited a thousand years ago. For a long time, fishing, the military and summer visitors dominated life on the island.
From Vikings to Gustav Vasa
There were small villages on Bogesundslandet, Rindö and Resarö during the Viking Age. Vaxön began to be settled in the late 13th century In the middle of the 16th century, Gustav Vasa decided that a fortress should be built between Vaxön and Rindö to defend the entrance to Stockholm.
Vaxholms Kastell
The town of Vaxholm slowly grew up on Vaxön - opposite the fortress. The old fortress, Kastellet, still stands in the strait outside. A visit there will take you back to the time when the fortress was like a small community of its own, with senior soldiers, soldiers, officers' wives, maids and prisoners. At the Vaxholm Fortress Museum, visitors can follow the archipelago's defense for 500 years.
Vaxholm herring
The main occupation for the people of Vaxholm in the late 19th century was fishing. The fresh Vaxholm herring was very popular in Stockholm. It was not salted, but fresh every day. It was rowed in every morning to the market square in Stockholm and was therefore much sought after. People rowed long distances to pick up this herring, sometimes as far as Sandhamn. Even today, Vaxholm is known for Vaxholmsströmming - a delicacy that is still served in Vaxholm's restaurants. Come and enjoy it on the spot!
Resort life
During the late 1860s and well into the 20th century, seaside resort life flourished in Vaxholm. Burgundian Stockholmers came here for the fresh air. Stockholm had an unhealthy environment with stinking sewers and no waste collection, so people fled to Vaxholm. The town offered several types of baths in cold bathhouses, hot bathhouses and baths in a combined salt, malt, steam and mud bath. There was also Rindöbaden, which had the most mineral-rich water in Europe. Vaxholm became the center for summer guests.
Past meets present
In Vaxholm today, you can enjoy boating, a genuine settlement with the joy of carpentry and punch verandas, as well as folk life in a wonderful mix. All in a sparkling, generous archipelago environment. If you mark your calendar correctly, you can take part in the archipelago boat day, herring rowing, archipelago market, Christmas market or any other of Vaxholm's pleasant events.
If you are curious to know more about the history of Vaxholm, we recommend that you follow Arkeologievent on ahistorical walk. Guided city walks are also organized by Vaxholm Tourist Office. Don't miss Mikaela's history where our local archaeologist shares anecdotes from history.