Kungsholmen

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The Karlbergskanalen in winter

Kungsholmen is an island in Lake Mälaren in Sweden, part of Stockholm City. It is situated north of Riddarfjärden and considered part of the historical province Uppland.

Its area is 3.9 km² with a perimeter of 8.9 km. The highest point is at Stadshagsplan (47 m). The total population is 41,000.

Administratively, it is subdivided into the five districts Kungsholmen, Marieberg, Fredhäll, Kristineberg and Stadshagen.

Prominent buildings and structures:

Stockholm City Hall, by architect Ragnar Östberg, and built 1911-1923.
Stockholm Court House from 1909-1915.
Kristineberg Palace from around 1750.
Functionalist buildings along the southern waterfront Norr Mälarstrand.
Art Deco buildings flanking the bridge Sankt Eriksbron.
Dagens Nyheter Tower, completed in 1964.
Västerbron, completed in 1935.

Bridges leading to Kungsholmen:

From Norrmalm:
From Solna:
- Ekelundsbron
From Bromma:
- Tranebergsbron
From Lilla Essingen:
- Mariebergsbron
- Fredhällsbron (part of the Essingeleden motorway.)
From Södermalm:
- Västerbron

Panorama of Kungsholmen, southern shore with the City Hall on the far right.

[edit] History

In the 15th century the island of Kungsholmen was inhabited by the Franciscan order and was during this time called Munklägret (i.e. Monks' Camp). They founded a tile factory at Rålambshov and lived mostly from fishing and farming. Because of the Reformation the island came under the protection of the Swedish Crown in the 16th century.