Torshälla

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Torshälla


image_caption =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Eskilstuna Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Södermanland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Södermanland
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 5.56
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 7,614
population_density_km2 = 1369
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=59 |latm=25 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=16 |longm=28 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Torshälla is a town in Eskilstuna Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden. Its population is approximately 7,500 inhabitants.

Before the local government reform of 1971 Torshälla was a city municipality of its own. A new proposal to detach Torshälla from Eskilstuna Municipality was turned down in a referendum in 2006.

Torshälla is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and received city rights as early as 1317 from King Birger. Part of the Church of Torshälla is from 1100 but there evidence that the city already existed in the year 700 as an old heathen gathering place where the god Thor was worshipped.

Torshälla is for historical reasons normally referred to as a "city" even if it does not have a population of 10,000 which is the limit defined by Statistics Sweden.

The name Torshälla stems from "Þors harg", which means "place for sacrificing to Thor". This is due to the fact that the town is located at the very first rapids between Lake Mälaren and Lake Hjälmaren, an ancient trade route dating back well before 1000 ADFact|date=June 2008. Torshälla was a natural place for resting and making sacrifice to the gods. Several archeological digs have unconvered two (possibly three) "strong houses", that is, small fortresses or castles.

Notable residents

Annifrid Lyngstad, formerly of ABBA, grew up in Torshälla. Today, 1984 Miss Universe pageant winner Yvonne Ryding is one of the better known residents of Torshälla.

References

External links

* [http://runeberg.org/nfci/0246.html article "Torshälla"] from Nordisk familjebok