An attractive excursion from Stockholm is a boat trip on Lake Mälar (about three hours) to Mariefred (pop. 2,600), an idyllic little town in a beautiful setting. Mariefred owes its origin and its name to the Carthusian monastery of Pax Mariae which was founded here in 1493 and continued in existence until the Reformation. It is dominated by its 1
7th century church, situated on a hill. Below is the oldest part of the town, with wooden houses running down to the lake. In the market square, to the north of the church, stands the Town Hall (1784), also timber-built. On the south side of the hill, below the church, is a local museum. The old royal barn of Gripsholm Castle is the House of Graphics, a centre for fine-arts printmaking. On the west side of the town, beyond Stallarholmsvägen, can be found the ruined church of Kärnbo.
There are regular boat services between Stockholm and Mariefred.
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