Marieskär

Marieskär – a name from medieval shipping

Marieskär is a small island in the Södermanland archipelago, but its name carries traces of a larger history.

Already during the Middle Ages, the shipping routes along the Baltic Sea were vital. Shipping required not only knowledge of winds and waters but also clear and common names for islands and skerries. In the early sailing directions King Valdemar's sailing route from the 1200s shows how important it was to be able to orient oneself between the islands – both for navigation and to find safe anchorage.

Many islands were named after their characteristics. Some describe nature, such as islands with deciduous forests or special vegetation, while others reveal something about shape, location, or function in the shipping route. But names connected to Mary are rare in Swedish archipelagos – and for that reason particularly interesting.

Marieskär, which on older maps has also been written Mariaskär , belongs to a small group of places that can be linked to religious beliefs during the Middle Ages. At a time when sea travel was associated with great risks, many sailors turned to the Virgin Mary for protection. Islands with names that allude to Mary or ”virgin” are believed to have served as symbolic places where prayers were offered for safe passage before venturing out over open sea.

The name Marieskär is therefore not just a geographical designation – it is also a cultural-historical imprint from a time when faith, the sea, and survival were closely intertwined along the Södermanland coast.

Mary symbol

There are no known archaeological finds that show that there has been any concrete Mary symbol on Marieskär , but based on medieval traditions, it is reasonable to assume that the place may have had a simple and temporary religious function. It could have involved a wooden icon, a cross, a specially chosen natural site, or small offerings left by sailors in passing. Such spiritual stops were common along the coasts, where prayers were made for protection against dangerous journeys, but in the vulnerable archipelago environment, physical traces have been preserved. Therefore, Marieskär was likely primarily a symbolic place – where the very name served as a kind of and sea mark as much as a geographical one.

The history of Marieskär

text Lasse Lindberg

Middle Ages – the island gets its name

Fishing, hunting, and shipping have always been crucial for people in the North. Already in the 1200s, ”King Valdemar's sailing route” , our oldest known sailing description, was recorded. For navigation, it was important that we had clear and common names, which often described their location, nature, or characteristics – such as Tobaksholmen, Ålö, or Tressö.

Island names connected to Mary are rare. Besides Marieskär, there is only one more in the area: Marieholme. These places have been used for the worship of the Virgin Mary since the Middle Ages, especially before dangerous sea journeys. Older nautical charts also show the spelling Mariaskär.

The fire of 1918

The steamship S/S Tjust stranded 1918 on Marieskärshällan during the journey to Stockholm. Sparks from the ship ignited the island, and large parts of the vegetation burned down. Some pines survived, and there are stories of how cows swam ashore during the drama. Traces of the fire were visible well into the 1970s in the form of burned stumps.

The first cabin – 1927

The first cabin was built in 1927 by Elna and George Hammarström. George was a pilot and customs officer. The work of clearing the land was extensive.

The daughter Ingegerd recounts:

”It was a hassle to clear out.”

The childhood memories from the island are vivid – the swing by the beach, the encounter with a seal in the moonlight, and summers filled with adventure.

Filip and Agda take over – 1930

In 1930, the master painter Filip Johansson and his wife Agda ”Filippa” Johansson bought Marieskär. At that time, formal permission was lacking, but this was arranged in 1932.

Filip expanded the cabin with the help of family and friends: a kitchen, living room, veranda, and a root cellar were added. On a rock plateau, he created a gathering place with a view of the sunset – called ”the cinema”.

On a door, he painted the text:

Welcome to this cliff
wishes Filip and Filippa

The family lived close to nature. They rowed to Ålö to fetch milk, and fishing provided plenty of food.

Ingvor and Rune – the next generation

In 1953, the daughter Ingvor and her husband Rune Lindberg took over the island. The purchase price was 1,500 kronor – including boat and nets.

Family life on the island was characterized by:

• fishing (perch, eel, cod, salmon, etc.)
• bad, snorkeling and play
• a rich social life with friends and relatives
• midsummer celebrations and cultural elements

Artists such as Valentin Wirf and Leo Janis Brieditis stayed on the island. Rune participated in revues in Nyköping, and the circle of friends often gathered at Marieskär.

In 1971 was written ”The Marieskär Waltz”, a tribute to the place. The same spirit is evident in the humorous initiative ”The Association for the Preservation of Outdoor Toilets in the Outer Archipelago”, with a solemn inauguration and cocoa liqueur as the ceremonial drink.

A memorable episode is when the narrow boat ”Silverpilen” arrived. One of the passengers, ”Snus-Ernst,” wrote in the guestbook:

”Ho ä rar, I stay. 

Development and change

In the 1960s, a boathouse and pier were built. During the 1980s, the cottage was renovated – a new roof and tile replaced the old tar paper roof.

After Rune's passing in 1981, Ingvor continued to care for and develop the island.

New generations

In 1989, Ingvor transferred Marieskär to his sons Lasse and Andreas.

During the 1990s and 2000s, development continued:

• new buildings were erected
• piers and terraces were constructed
• the families grew

In 2009, Ingvor passed away, having documented the island until the end.

Today – the fourth generation

Since 2019, Marieskär is run by the fourth generation:

• Ida, John, and Martin (Lasse's children)
• Hannes and Albin (Andreas's children)

The island continues to thrive as a place for family, history, and tradition – where memories from several generations are still present on every rock, path, and pier.