Nyköping

Nyköping (Swedish pronunciation: [nɨˈʃœpɪŋ]^[2]) is a locality and the seat of Nyköping Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 32,427 inhabitants in 2005.^[1] The city is also the capital of Södermanland County.

History

The area bears traces of settlers since around 2000 BC. In the early medieval age, around 1000 AD, Nyköping was a capital of one the many Swedish petty kingdoms. In the 13th century, construction on the Nyköping Fortress was begun; the following century it became the strongest fortress of the country. The coat of arms probably depicts the fortress, or one of its towers.

In 1317 the Nyköping Banquet took place, a renowned episode in Sweden's history, when King Birger of Sweden captured his two brothers as a revenge for earlier sufferings and had them imprisoned without food until they starved to death. (See Nyköpings gästabud.)

The earliest known charter dates from 1444, making it one of the now defunct Cities in Sweden. In the 16th century Nyköping became the seat of duke Charles who later became Charles IX of Sweden. With the status of a Royal residential seat, Nyköping was at its peak of development.

In 1665 large parts of the city including the fortress were damaged in a fire. The same thing happened again in 1719 when Russian troops invaded the city. It was then rebuilt with its current street plan.

Nyköping was industrialized relatively early compared to the rest of Sweden. In the early 19th century, textile industry was established, and the population soon rose as Nyköping's industry grew. In 1879, C.A. Wedholms mejerikärlsfabrik was founded, starting to produce milk churns.

20th century

Nyköping was the town where Nordiska Kompaniet had its furniture manufacturing. The business created a spin off, which was named ANA which licence-built American and English cars. The company was later purchased by Saab Automobile and lead to that SAAB become the largest employer in the town during the eighties, as well as the relocation of the head-quarters to Spelhagen. But when GM bought SAAB from Investor AB, the head-quarters was moved back to Trollhättan and about two thousand lost their jobs. ^[3]

Military history

Nyköping has been a stronghold for the reconnaissance squadrons of the Swedish Air Force. Between 1941 and 1980, the nearby Stockholm Skavsta Airport was hosting the F11 wing which had three squadrons with reconnaissance aircraft. It was the only dedicated reconnaissance wing in the Swedish Air Force. The city has also hosted the flyingschool of the Swedish Army which was located at Brandholmen between 1963 and 1985.

Transportation

Public Transport

Nyköping has got intercity and city bus-links operated by Nobina Sverige. The city bus network consists of 5 lines numbered: 1,2,3,161 and 162. ^[4]

Coaches to Stockholm and Gothenburg is operated by Swebus.

Rail

The city is located on a branch line to the Södra stambanan. Scheduled railway connections on the line is provided by SJ AB. These are mostly operated by Electric Multiple Units of which the SJ X40 is the most common. Commuter trains towards Norrköping may be operated by X12s. SJ does currently not operate any X 2000 services to Nyköping.

Air

Stockholm Skavsta Airport is a Ryanair base with intra-european routes.

Sights

Sports

The following sports clubs are located in Nyköping:

• Nyköpings BIS
• Nyköpings Hockey

Twin cities

• Iisalmi, Finland
• Lauf an der Pegnitz, Germany
• Notodden, Norway
• Nykøbing Falster, Denmark
• Salacgrīva, Latvia
• Vyborg, Russia

References

External links

• Official website (English)
• Visit Nyköping - The official visitors' guide
• Nyköping Facebook - The official Facebook-page