Oxelösund

Oxelösund is a town in Södermanland, at Sweden's coast to the Baltic Sea. It is a rather young city, with 11,000 inhabitants, built around the port and the steel mill, in the vicinity of Nyköping.

Understand
Oxelösund has a fairly short history. While its natural harbor has been used for at least 500 years, the settlement was founded in 1900. When it became necessary to build a railroad to transport products from mining and smelting region of Bergslagen in central Sweden directly to the Baltic Sea, the choice fell on Oxelösund.

Industrial Group Traffic AB Grängesberg-Oxelösund (TGO; best known as Granges) formed in 1873 the railway company OFWJ (Oxelösund Flen-Västmanlands Railway), later TGOJ (Traffic Grängesberg-Oxelösunds railways). The company bought almost the entire Oxelösund Peninsula, which then belonged to the estates of the Stjärnholm Castle, to be able to build the facilities they needed. The existing of Oxelösund was at this time entirely insignificant - it had grown up thanks to the port, railway and steelworks which was added somewhat later (1913).

At the beginning of the 1950s Oxelösund was a typical Swedish town with wooden houses and lush gardens. As one of the last communities in Sweden Oxelösund became city in 1950. The local population then totalled 5200 people. The business community was strongly influenced by the industry, and the largest employer was the iron works with about 700 workers.

A milestone in the resort development became Granges Group's decision in 1955 to buy a majority share in Oxelösund Ironworks AB (SSAB Oxelösund today).

Old Oxelösund was removed to make space for the new steelworks but there are still a few houses left offering the glimpse of 1920s. A brand new center was built as was a highway from Nyköping into the city (Highway 53). In 1957 the characteristic St. Botvids Church was inaugurated. Overall, Oxelösund today is dominated by the 20th-century transformation of the port, ironworks and a homogeneous 1950s buildings.

In 1962 a coastal artillery battery was built on the Femöre peninsula to defend the important harbor.

Oxelösund's municipality, Oxelösunds kommun, has a remarkably small land area. Most of the surrounding countryside belongs to Nyköping.

By plane
The nearest airport is Nyköping Skavsta Airport about 20 km from Oxelösund. From the airport there are buses to Oxelösund. Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, Sweden's main international airport, is 150 km north of Oxelösund.

By bus
Sörmlandstrafiken operates the route Nyköping-Oxelösund. It is possible to take line 515 from the airport to Nyköping bus station and change on to 715 to Oxelösund.

You can pay the driver by credit card, but they don't take cash.

By train
There is no rail scheduled to Oxelösund. At larger events a special antique train is operated on the tack to Oxelösund. It is also possible to charter train through the Association of Sörmlands Veteran Railway (FSVJ - Föreningen Sörmlands Veteranjärnväg).

By car
15 km from the Nyköping on 2-lane Highway (Route 53) straight out to sea. E4 to Nyköping, Norrköping and Stockholm.

By boat
In the summertime it is possible to ride a passenger boat between Nyköping and Oxelösund. If you arrive with your own boat, there are two marinas in the vicinity of the central Oxelösund.

By bike
From Nyköping there are bike paths that take you through Stjärnholm to central Oxelösund and Jogersö.

Water sports
Kayaks can be rented at Jogersö beach.

Events

 * Oxelö Market (Oxelö Marknad) - A Saturday in May. Music, historic train rides.

Sleep
In Oxelösund, there are places and choices to suit all budgets and tastes. Everything from a simple cabin to a castle.

Mobile homes sites

 * The fishing harbor, 12 sites, operated and managed by Femöre Marina, +46 70-213 40 66, email: kjell@femoregasthamn.com

Guest harbors

 * Oxelösunds marina: about 200 sites, buoy, harbor depth of 1.2-2.8 m, boat refueling station, restaurant, free TuffStuff trains to the center in summer, playground, wireless internet, boules courts, Boat and motor. +46 76-803 09 70.
 * Fiskhamnens marina: 15-20 sites, buoy, harbor depth of 2.5-4.5 m, boatyards, fish restaurant Sailor, wireless internet, rack space for campers. +46 70-213 40 66.