Torshälla, Södermanland | Exploring Sweden

Torshälla is a town and a former city in Eskilstuna Municipality, located in the county of Södermanland, Sweden. The town is situated in the historic province of Södermanland, near the shore of Lake Mälaren. It is connected to the lake by the Torshällaån river. With a population of approximately 9,400 residents in its wider urban area, Torshälla is a significant community within the municipality. At over 700 years old, it is one of the oldest towns in both the province and in all of Sweden.

The character of Torshälla is that of a well-preserved historic town that retains a strong sense of its own identity, despite being part of the larger Eskilstuna Municipality. The old town center, with its historic wooden houses and the Bergströmska gården, offers a look into its past as a prosperous trading town. The Torshällaån river and its rapids are a central feature of the urban landscape. In the modern era, the town has also developed a reputation as a center for art and craftsmanship, with several galleries and studios. This combination of a long history, a preserved town center, and an active artistic community gives Torshälla its specific character.

A Short History of Torshälla

The history of Torshälla is that of one of Sweden’s oldest towns, a major trading hub in the Middle Ages that was later overshadowed by its industrial neighbor, Eskilstuna. Its development was shaped by its strategic location, which controlled the iron trade from the Bergslagen region. The story of Torshälla is one of early prosperity, a long period of decline after a major fire, and a modern revival as a cherished historical and cultural community. This history is visible today in its preserved buildings and the layout of its old town.

A Medieval Trading Hub

The history of settlement in the Torshälla area is long, but its formal history as a town began in the Middle Ages. The town received its city privileges in 1317 from the Swedish King Birger Magnusson, making it one of the oldest chartered cities in Sweden. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Torshälla dominated the trade in this part of Södermanland. It held a monopoly on the iron trade from the important mining region of Bergslagen, which was transported down the river and out to Lake Mälaren and beyond. This trade brought great wealth and importance to the town.

Competition and Decline

The town’s fortunes began to change in the mid-17th century. The newly-founded industrial town of Eskilstuna began to grow in importance in 1659. The development of new canals that improved the transport opportunities for Eskilstuna further increased the competition. The final blow to Torshälla’s status as the main regional center came with a devastating fire in 1798, which destroyed a large part of the town. After this, Eskilstuna became the undisputed main town in the region, and Torshälla entered a long period of being a small, quiet town.

Modern Era

Torshälla continued as a small town with some light industry through the 19th and 20th centuries. A key moment in its modern administrative history was the municipal reform of 1971, when the city of Torshälla was incorporated into the larger Eskilstuna Municipality. This has remained unchanged, even though the question of its independence was put to a local referendum in the election of 2006. The vote ended with a majority of residents choosing to remain within the current Eskilstuna Municipality, while still maintaining the town’s strong local identity.

Sights in Torshälla

With its historical center, it is easy to enjoy a walk in the historic setting of Torshälla. The main points of interest are concentrated in the old town area along the Torshällaån river. These sights offer a look into the town’s long history as a trading hub, a legal center, and a community of craftsmen.

Torshälla Church

The Torshälla Church (Torshälla kyrka) is the most significant historical building in the town. Its oldest parts date back to the 12th century, making it older than the town itself. The church has been extended and rebuilt several times over the centuries. After a reconstruction in the early 17th century, its church tower was one of the tallest buildings in Sweden, at a height of almost 80 meters. The tower was, however, badly damaged in a fire in 1873 and has never reached the same height since. The church contains several important historical artifacts.

Torshälla Mill

Located along the rapids of the river Torshällaån is the Torshälla Mill (Torshälla kvarn). The first mill on this site was built in 1628 by the Swedish crown. The current building dates to the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, when it was modernized. The mill is a large brick building that is a key part of the town’s industrial heritage. Today, it no longer functions as a mill but instead houses the local public library and a space for art exhibitions, making it a central cultural hub.

Bergströmska gården

The Bergströmska gården is a well-preserved historic homestead located in the heart of the old town. The buildings date back to the 18th century. The homestead is a key example of the architecture of a prosperous craftsman’s or merchant’s home from that period. Today, it is home to the local heritage museum (hembygdsgård). The museum’s exhibitions showcase objects, photographs, and stories from the town’s long past, providing a look into the daily life of its residents.

Ebeling Museum

The Ebeling Museum is the local art gallery, which is dedicated to the work of the artist Allan Ebeling and his family. Allan Ebeling was born in New York in 1897 and came to Torshälla in the 1930s. The museum is located in a historic building in the old town. It exhibits a large collection of his works, which include sculptures and paintings. The museum also has paintings made by his daughter, the artist Marianne Ebeling. It is a key part of the town’s identity as a center for art.

Torshälla Courthouse

The Torshälla Courthouse (Torshälla rådhus) is the old courthouse, which dates back to 1833. The building once also included the local jail. Its clock has a unique history. It was originally a part of the cathedral in the nearby city of Strängnäs, but it was donated to the church in Torshälla in 1580. The clock was finally moved from the church and added to the new courthouse in 1837. The building is a key landmark on the town’s main square, Rådhustorget.

Ekbacken Nature Reserve

To the south of Torshälla is the Ekbacken Nature Reserve. The reserve was established in 2010 and covers around six hectares of forest. The area is especially famous for its large, old oak trees, some of which are over 200 years old. The reserve is a protected area of high biodiversity and is an important local green space for recreation. It has walking paths and provides a tranquil natural environment close to the town center.

Torshälla with Kids

Torshälla is a pleasant and manageable destination for a day trip with children. It offers a good combination of outdoor spaces and family-friendly activities. The town’s center is compact and very easy to walk around, even with younger children. The main attractions for families include public playgrounds, the natural areas along the Torshällaån river, and the nearby Lake Mälaren are also popular. However, it is important to be careful near the river, especially around the rapids by the old mill where the water flows very quickly.

Playgrounds

The main public playground in Torshälla is located within Krusgård Park, which is a central recreational area to the north of the town center. This playground is a popular gathering spot for local families and offers a variety of modern play equipment suitable for children of different ages. The park setting provides ample space for children to run around, and it also includes an outdoor gym for older kids and adults. The playground at Krusgård Park serves as the primary dedicated play area within the town, offering a good destination for a break during a day of exploration.

Mälarbadet Beach

Mälarbadet is the main public swimming beach for Torshälla, located a short distance from the town on the shore of Lake Mälaren. The beach features a sandy shoreline and large grassy areas that are ideal for picnicking and playing. It is a very popular destination for families during the warm summer months. The facility includes a pier, changing rooms, and a kiosk that is often open during the peak season. The shallow water near the shore makes it a relatively safe swimming spot for children, and it is a key part of the local summer recreational life.

Sports in Torshälla

The sporting life in Torshälla is centered on its active and well-established community sports clubs. These organizations are a key part of the social fabric of the town, providing organized sports for residents of all ages. The most popular sports are football, handball, and floorball, each with a dedicated local club that has a strong focus on youth development. The town has several sports facilities, including the Torsharg sports ground and various indoor sports halls, that serve as hubs for these clubs. Home games for the local teams are important community events that draw support from across the town. This strong foundation in club sports defines the athletic character of Torshälla.

Football

Football is a very popular sport in Torshälla, with a local club that has a long history in the town. The club is a central part of the community, providing a platform for hundreds of players, from the youngest children’s teams to the senior squad. It represents the town in the regional leagues of the Södermanland Football Association. Home matches at the local sports ground are community events that are well-attended by local supporters. The club serves as a key institution for the sport in the Eskilstuna region and is known for its large and active youth program.

Torshälla-Nyby IS

The town’s main football club is Torshälla-Nyby IS. The club was founded in 1914 and has a long tradition in the local football leagues. The senior team competes in the middle divisions of the Swedish football league system. They play their home games at Torshargs IP, the main sports ground in the town, which features several grass pitches. The club is particularly known for its large and active youth program, which provides training for numerous teams across all age categories, making it a central part of community life.

Handball

Handball is another of the most popular sports in Torshälla, with a club that is especially known for its success in women’s handball. The sport has a very dedicated following in the town. The local club is a major institution in the region, with a history of competing at the highest levels of the Swedish league system. It has a large number of active members, particularly in its youth sections, which are considered among the best in the province. Home matches are major events that draw large and enthusiastic crowds to the local sports hall.

Gökstens BK

Gökstens BK is the main handball club in Torshälla. The club is most famous for its successful women’s team, which has a history of competing in the Swedish Handball League, the top tier of Swedish handball. They have also won the Swedish national championship in the past, a major achievement for a club from a small town. The club is a key part of the local community and is known for its large and successful youth development program, which has produced many elite players. They play their home games at a local sports hall in the town.

Floorball

Floorball (innebandy) is a very popular sport in Torshälla, as it is throughout Sweden, especially among the youth. The local club provides an organized structure for the sport, with teams for various age groups. The sport is a key part of community life, particularly during the long indoor season from autumn to spring. The club’s teams compete in the regional league system of Södermanland. The sport is known for its fast pace and accessibility, which has made it one of the largest participation sports in the country.

Torshälla IBK

The main floorball club for the region is Torshälla IBK. While the club was founded in 1993 and retains the Torshälla name, it has grown to become the primary floorball association for the entire Eskilstuna Municipality, including both Torshälla and the larger city of Eskilstuna. The club has a large number of active members, with a very strong focus on its youth teams for both boys and girls. The club’s senior teams compete in the regional and national divisions of the Swedish floorball league system. While training for youth teams takes place in local halls in both Torshälla and Eskilstuna, the main matches for its senior teams are typically played in the larger arenas located in Eskilstuna.

Getting Around in Torshälla

Navigating the town of Torshälla is straightforward. The town center is compact and is best explored on foot. For travel to the larger city of Eskilstuna and the surrounding areas, a local bus network provides frequent service.

On Foot: The Old Town

Walking is the best way to explore the historic central part of Torshälla. The main square, Rådhustorget, the church, the mill, and the Bergströmska gården are all located within a small, walkable area. The paths along the Torshällaån river also provide a scenic route for a stroll.

Local Buses

The public transport in the region is operated by Sörmlandstrafiken. The city buses of Eskilstuna connect Torshälla with the main city center and the central train station. This makes it very easy to travel between the two parts of the municipality. Regional buses also provide connections to other nearby towns.

How to Get to Torshälla?

Reaching Torshälla is convenient due to its proximity to the major transport hub of Eskilstuna. The town is located on a major European route and is easily accessible from the main railway line.

The Open Road: Driving the E20

Driving to Torshälla is very efficient. The town is located just a short drive from the E20 motorway. This is a major east-west highway that connects Stockholm and Gothenburg. From the E20, a local road leads directly to Torshälla. A car provides flexibility for exploring the wider Södermanland region.

Arriving by Air: Nearby Airports

The closest airport with regular international connections is Stockholm Västerås Airport (VST). It is located approximately 48 kilometers away and is a hub for low-cost carriers. Sweden’s main international airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), is located about 120 kilometers away. From either of these airports, a combination of airport bus and train via Eskilstuna is the most common way to reach Torshälla.

On Track: A Journey by Rail

Torshälla does not have its own train station. The closest major train station is located in the nearby city of Eskilstuna. The Eskilstuna Central Station is a major hub on the railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Mälartåg and SJ operate frequent train services. From the Eskilstuna station, a frequent local city bus provides the final connection to Torshälla.

Connecting by Coach

There are no direct long-distance bus services to the small town of Torshälla. Travel by coach would typically involve taking a service to the main bus station in Eskilstuna or Strängnäs. From these cities, travelers would then need to transfer to a local bus service to complete the journey.

Driving Distances

The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:

• Västerås, Sweden – 43 kilometers (0 h 40 min)
• Nyköping, Sweden – 86 kilometers (1 h 10 min)
• Norrköping, Sweden – 111 kilometers (1 h 30 min)
• Stockholm, Sweden – 117 kilometers (1 h 30 min)
• Linköping, Sweden – 155 kilometers (2 h 10 min)
• Gothenburg, Sweden – 378 kilometers (4 h 40 min)
• Oslo, Norway – 390 kilometers (4 h 40 min)
• Malmö, Sweden – 572 kilometers (6 h 10 min)
• Copenhagen, Denmark – 614 kilometers (6 h 40 min)
• Luleå, Sweden – 955 kilometers (9 h 40 min)

Explore More of Södermanland and Sweden

This post was first published 2021-08-26 and was updated 2025-07-26