Södertälje

Södertälje lies at the passage between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. As the old strait narrowed, boats had to be hauled across a ridge, encouraging trade and services at the crossing. Known simply as Tälje or Telge in earlier sources, the town received privileges in the fourteenth century.

Telge Hus castle was built during the fourteenth century on Slottsholmen. From 1318 to 1527 it served as a centre for the surrounding administrative district. In 1622 the prefix Söder, meaning south, was added to the town's name to distinguish it from the newly founded Norrtälje. The passage between inland waters and the sea remained central to its identity.