Eskilstuna

History

Eskilstuna's history dates back to medieval times when the town of Tunafors was home to a monastery on the east side of the Eskilstunaån river. However, the town did not receive municipal privileges due to its proximity to the medieval city of Torshälla. The monastery was completely destroyed during the Protestant Reformation and replaced with the royal residence of Eskilstunahus Castle.

Related Topics:
Monastery - Eskilstunaån - Torshälla - Protestant Reformation - Eskilstunahus Castle

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The city's first municipal privileges were granted in 1659, and its boundaries included Tunafors and the newly-founded town of Karl Gustavs Stad ("City of Karl Gustav"), located on the west side of the river. Karl Gustavs Stad was built around the iron forges of master smith Reinhold Rademacher, encouraged by King Karl X Gustav. The first products of the forges were small arms and artillery.

Related Topics:
Small arms - Artillery

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Karl Gustavs Stad was a free town from 1771, where manufacturers and craftsmen were allowed to establish tax-free workshops and factories. The town was merged with the rest of Eskilstuna in 1879.

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The city grew enormously during the Industrial Revolution and became one of the most important industrial cities of Sweden, earning the nickname "Stålstaden" ("The City of Steel"). Aside from firearms, the city also produced cutlery, scissors, keys, machine tools and precision instruments. As a tribute to the steel industry, the figure of a steel worker is included in the city's coat of arms.

Related Topics:
Industrial Revolution - Steel - Cutlery - Scissor - Key - Machine tool - Precision instrument

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The city remains an important industrial city with internationally-known companies such as Volvo (trucks, automobiles) and Assa (locks, keys). The modern establishment of the University College of Mälardalen (Mälardalens högskola) has also given Eskilstuna an academic touch. The city also has a combined zoo and amusement park - Parken Zoo, most famous for its white tigers.

Related Topics:
Volvo - Truck - Automobile - Assa - University College of Mälardalen - Zoo - Amusement park - Tiger

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The most successful sports clubs of the cities are the Smederna Speedway motorcycle racing club (Blacksmiths), and the handball club Guif, which have both placed in the top divisions of their respective sports in Sweden for many years.

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