Sundsvall History

The City of Sundsvall was founded in 1621 and has grown to become one of the largest cities in the local region, with around 100,000 citizens. The wider Sundsvall region is home to just over 200,000 residents and boasts strong industrial and innovative traditions. Today, large numbers of local residents work in the forestry, banking, IT and insurance industries. Among other features, the region is also home to one of Sweden’s
largest paper pulp mills. In fact, the local mill SCA Östrand has the largest production line for bleached softwood kraft pulp in the world.

While the paper industry continues to be the prime contributor to the local economy, the service sector has developed strongly and the Sundsvall region is now also one of Sweden’s most important regions in connection with IT, banking, pensions and insurance.

In addition, a number of government agencies’ head offices are also located here. Sundsvall is currently experiencing a major growth phase in which more than 10 billion kronor are being invested in the region
over just a few short years, primarily in new, sustainable logistics and transport solutions as well as in housing and other infrastructure. Sundsvall views inter-industry collaboration as crucial to the local region’s future development and, in this respect, Mid Sweden University and its research play an important role in further strengthening the region’s innovative capacity and growth. For example, the university’s FSCN research centre conducts a great deal of research on nanomaterials, new cellulose materials and process technology in cooperation with business and industry.

Stenstan

On Midsummer’s Day in 1888, large sections of central Sundsvall burned to the ground. In fact, the only building left standing was the City Hall. Thanks to funds from the prosperous local timber industry and well-insured property owners, the city was rebuilt. This time using stone. In just six years, 600 new stone buildings were erected in the city centre.

To give more people the chance to enjoy the extraordinary 19th-century craftsmanship on display in central Sundsvall’s Stenstan (Stone City), Sundsvall is one of only two Swedish cities to offer visitors roof-top tours. These tours are just one of many enjoyable memories that you will have the chance to take home with you from your visit to Sundsvall.

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Norra berget

Founded more than 100 years ago, Norra Berget is Sundsvall’s own open-air museum. The museum offers visitors the chance to experience Sweden’s cultural heritage by recreating its agricultural community of times gone by, with its traditions and animals. The museum’s Smakrummet boutique also sells locally-produced delicacies – everything from cheeses to sweets – and there are cosy cafés/restaurants inside the museum
that serve both light refreshments and meals. Midsummer celebrations are held at Norra Berget every year, including singing and dancing around the maypole.

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Saint Olav and the Pilgrim trail

St. Olavsleden is a pilgrim trail between Selånger, just outside of Sundsvall, and the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. This popular walking trail is 564 kilometres long and stretches from coast to coast – from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Atlantic – across two countries and 11 municipalities.

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Vikings

Nolby högar

The Sundsvall area has been inhabited for centuries and enjoyed one of its heydays during the 6th century. A visit to Nolby Högar gives visitors the chance to see Iron Age burial mounds and experience what was once the site of a farmstead from the same era. The Burestenen rune stone is also located at Nolby.

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Högomsmannen

Our local area’s richest-known chieftain, now known as Högomsmannen, lived in around the 6th century and the discovery of his grave around 1950 opened the door to a long-forgotten part of Sundsvall’s past. As a result of the find, Sundsvall Museum/Kulturmagasinet now houses the permanent exhibition Hövdingen i Högom (The Chieftain in Högom), with artefacts from the excavations at Högom and detailed information about the discoveries. Only five mounds at the Högom site have been excavated so far, leaving another ten burial mounds whose secrets have yet to be revealed. Perhaps there are trasures still to be found here...