Nacka Municipality - History

History

The area has been populated since the first mountaintops emerged as islands from the sea after the end of the last Ice Age, during the Mesolithic. During the Viking Age (800 – 1100 AD) the area has been estimated to have been populated by 100 people. They were living by farming and fishing.

A Danish sailing description from the end of the 13th century describes the area as a transportation region. The water roads were easier to use than the land roads and this was also the main road into the capital Stockholm. Due to these circumstances there were plenty of restaurants along the shores to cater to the travelers. An article by Gunnar Ahlberg describes 24 different outlets and their busy service. In the 18th century the restaurants closer to the city were transformed from shabby small places to more sophisticated establishments. Here came not only travelers but also the citizens of Stockholm for a summer excursion. Many of the artists of the times have documented these excursions in drawings as well as songs.

During the wintertime the waterways changes somewhat and instead of taking the sea way the travelers crossed the many lakes with sleighs in order to reach Stockholm.

The municipality's name harks back to a 16th-century industrial operation established by the Crown at Nacka farmstead where conditions for water mills are good. That spot is now, however, not densely populated, and the municipal seat is on land that once belonged to Järla farmstead on the other side of Lake Järla.

One of many battles during the Great Northern War took place in the most eastern part of Nacka. In 1719, Russian forces burned and raided the eastern coast of Sweden. Several cities were attacked and almost all buildings in the archipelago of Stockholm were burned. On their way to Stockholm greatly outnumbered Swedish forces managed to fight off the attacking Russians at the battle of Stäket.