- Address: Mälaren, 645 97 Stallarholmen Sweden
- Area: 1140 square meters. km
- Volume: 13.6 cubic meters. km
- Average depth: 11.9 m
Stockholm is often called the second Venice, because the capital of Sweden is built on 14 islands in a narrow strait near the shores of Lake Mälaren. This reservoir takes the 3rd place (after Wettern and Venus) in size and plays an important economic and tourist role in the country.
general information
The lake has a total area of 1140 square meters. km, length - about 120 km, volume - 13.6 cubic meters. km. Its maximum depth is 61 m, and the average depth is 11.9 m. The water level in it is 0.3 m. On the map of Sweden it can be seen that Lake Mälaren is a part of such flans: Westmannland, Stockholm, Södermanland and Uppsala . In the 9th century there was an open gulf of the Baltic Sea.
Today, a reservoir near the coast of the capital, through the Norrström canal and the sluice channels of Sluussen, Södertälje and Hammarbyussüssen connects to the sea. There is a large number of islands on Lake Mälaren (about 1200). The largest of them are:
- Selaen (Selaön) - has an area of 91 square meters. km;
- Svartsjölandet (Svartsjölandet) - covers an area of 79 square meters. km.
There are various attractions that tourists are happy to visit. The smaller islands are:
- Björkö ;
- Aspön (Aspön);
- Ekerö;
- Adelsö (Adelsö);
- Stora Essingen.
The Scandinavian legend is associated with the Mälaren reservoir, which tells of the goddess Gevion, who deceived the monarch of Sweden Gulvi. The king promised to give her such a territory of land, which can plow 4 oxen in one day. She used the giant bulls, and they were able to uproot and transfer part of the land. So the island of Zealand was formed, and in the foundation pit a lake appeared.
What to see?
On the islands of the reservoir you can find many interesting places: noblemen's estates, mansions, palaces, workshops, etc. Knights castles of Lake Mälaren and UNESCO World Heritage Sites are very popular. The most significant of them are:
- Gripsholm Palace. Has an original architecture. In it you can see a unique collection of portraits.
- Skulkoster Castle. It was built in the Baroque style in the XVII century. In the institution you can see the ancient weapons, furniture, porcelain, art objects. Near the building is a museum with retro cars.
- Drottningholm Palace. This is the residence of the royal family. Around the building stretches a stunning garden with an opera house, a Chinese pavilion and fountains.
- The palace of Stening. It is the cultural center of the Swedish capital. Here you can visit the art gallery and the workshop for the production of candles.
- Birua. This is a Viking trade and political center with a unique nature and picturesque parks.
The fauna of Lake Mälaren
Here live about 30 species of fish: pike, bleak, stickleback, bream, perch and others. Also, Melaren became a nesting place for a multitude of migratory birds: an osprey, a gray and silver gull, a river tern, a mallard, a Canadian goose, an average mongrel, an ordinary gogol and other birds. Some of them are rare and endangered specimens, for example, a large cormorant. For this reason, the state protects the whole territory of the lake.
Paddling excursions are carried out along the pond, kayaking is performed, and in the winter time - ice fun. Melaren is popular with lovers of fishing and connoisseurs of beautiful nature and architecture.
How to get there?
From the center of Stockholm to the lake tourists will get on the roads E4 and E18. All excursions start at the pier. Here, depending on your desires and possibilities, you can choose the water transport and places for visits.