Trollhättan history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Trollhättan is inextricably linked to the powerful waterfalls on the Göta Älv river. The name of the city itself, which can be translated as "Troll's Bonnet", was first mentioned in tax documents in 1413. According to local folklore, the outlines of the small islands in the waterfalls reminded the inhabitants of the headwear of these fairy-tale creatures.

For a long time, this settlement did not have city status, remaining a strategically important point where travellers were forced to stop due to the impossibility of navigating the rapids by water. Trollhättan received official city status relatively late — in 1916, by uniting several industrial and residential communities.

Key Development Factors

The development of the settlement was defined by its unique geography and the engineering challenges it presented to the people:

• Geographical Location: The city emerged by the famous waterfalls that blocked the path of ships travelling from Lake Vänern to the North Sea (Kattegat). This obstacle made the area a natural centre for attraction and cargo transshipment.
• Engineering Solutions: The desire to bypass the turbulent rapids led to grandiose projects for the construction of locks. The opening of the first navigable canal in 1800 became a turning point, transforming the area into a key transport hub for Sweden.
• Energy Resource: The power of the falling water was used first for simple water mills, and later to power large industrial enterprises and the first hydroelectric power stations.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, the economy of the future city was built on the direct exploitation of water resources. Sawmills and flour mills flourished here, powered by the energy of the river. Fishing played an important role in the lives of early settlers, especially the salmon fishing for which the Göta Älv river was always famous.

With the arrival of the industrial era, Trollhättan quickly transformed into a centre of heavy industry. The founding of companies such as NOHAB (Nydqvist & Holm AB) in the mid-19th century secured the city's status as the "industrial heart" of the region, where locomotives, turbines, and engines known far beyond the borders of the country were produced.

Key Development Milestones

• 1413 — First documentary mention of the name "Trollhättan" in the tax registers of King Eric of Pomerania.
• 1800 — Opening of the first navigable canal with a lock system, allowing ships to bypass the waterfalls and linking Lake Vänern with the sea.
• 1844 — Commissioning of a new, more advanced lock system under the leadership of the famous engineer Nils Ericson.
• 1847 — Founding of the NOHAB engineering works, which became the flagship of the region's heavy industry and produced locomotives.
• 1910 — Launch of the Olidan Hydroelectric Power Station, which at the time of opening was one of the largest in Europe and powered the industrial boom.
• 1916 — Trollhättan officially receives city status and its own municipal rights.

Modern History

• 1949 — Start of serial production of Saab automobiles, turning the city into the centre of the Swedish automotive industry for decades.
• 1996 — Creation of the regional film centre Film i Väst, thanks to which the city received the unofficial nickname "Trollywood" and became the capital of Swedish cinema.
• 2002 — Opening of the Walk of Fame, highlighting the city's new status as a cultural centre.
• 2011 — Bankruptcy of Saab Automobile, marking the end of the classic era of mass automotive manufacturing in the city.
• 2013 — The company NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden), having purchased Saab's assets, resumed production at the factory, opening a new chapter in the history of the local automotive industry.

Stages of Transformation: From Waterfalls to High Tech

The development of Trollhättan is an example of how a city has completely reinvented itself several times, adapting to new economic realities. Here are the key milestones that shaped the modern appearance of the city:

• Conquest of the River (1800–1916): The Era of Canals
  The construction of three generations of locks (in 1800, 1844, and 1916) was of colossal importance. This turned the city from an impassable obstacle on the river into a key transport hub connecting Lake Vänern and Sweden's industrial interior with the world's oceans. Trade and transit became the first drivers of population growth.
• Energy Heart of the Country (1910): Olidan HPP
  The launch of the Olidan Hydroelectric Power Station was a turning point not only for the city but for all of Sweden. It gave a powerful impetus to the electrification of national industry. For the city itself, cheap energy became a magnet for energy-intensive industries, securing its status as an industrial centre.
• Heavy Industry (Mid-19th – 20th Century): NOHAB
  The Nydqvist & Holm AB (NOHAB) factory became the city-forming enterprise, producing locomotives for the whole world (including for Russia). The economic significance of this stage lay in the formation of a class of skilled workers and engineers, which created a base for future technological projects.
• Automotive Identity (1949–2011): The Saab Era
  The transition of the aircraft company Saab to car manufacturing changed the city's DNA forever. Trollhättan became synonymous with the Swedish automotive industry. This led to a significant expansion of the city limits, the construction of residential areas for workers, and the development of related infrastructure. Even after the brand's bankruptcy, the city retains engineering potential in the field of electric vehicles.
• Cultural Turn (from the 1990s): The Birth of "Trollywood"
  Against the backdrop of a crisis in traditional industry, the city bet on the creative economy by creating the film centre Film i Väst. This decision radically changed the image of Trollhättan: from a stern factory city, it turned into a fashionable filming location where box-office European films are shot, attracting tourists and the creative elite.
• Urban Revitalisation: Innovatum District
  The modern stage of development is characterised by a thoughtful reimagining of industrial heritage. The old NOHAB workshops were not demolished but were transformed into the Innovatum District science park. This is an example of successful urban planning, where historical architecture is integrated with a science centre, museums, and start-ups, preserving the spirit of the place.

Architectural Appearance: From Industrial Giants to Garden City

The architecture of Trollhättan differs significantly from typical old Swedish towns. Here you will not find medieval fortress walls or Gothic cathedrals in the traditional sense. This is a city whose unique appearance was shaped by the industrial revolution, advanced engineering, and the drive to harness the power of water. Urban development went hand in hand with the development of factories and hydraulic structures.

Era of National Romanticism and Industrial Power (Early 20th Century)

The most iconic buildings of the city belong to the period of rapid industrialisation. At this time, industrial facilities were built with the scale of palaces, reflecting the nation's pride in its technical achievements.

• Style: National Romanticism (Swedish version of Art Nouveau).
• Characteristic features: Use of rough natural stone (granite), massive forms resembling fortresses, tall arched windows.
• Iconic object: Olidan Hydroelectric Power Station (Olidan). Built in 1910 by architect Erik Josephson, it looks more like a monumental castle or temple than a utilitarian structure. The façade is clad in local granite, symbolising an unbreakable bond with nature.

The "Garden City" Concept (Strömslund)

Parallel to the growth of industry, a need arose for quality housing for workers. Trollhättan became a pioneer of socially-oriented urban planning in Sweden.

• Style: Traditional wooden architecture adapted for planned development.
• Features: The Strömslund district is considered the first planned "garden city" in Sweden. It was developed from 1889. Cosy wooden houses with garden plots predominate here, located on a plateau overlooking the river. It was an attempt to create a healthy living environment away from factory smoke.

Functionalism and Modernism (Mid to Late 20th Century)

After receiving city status in 1916 and especially in the post-war period, the centre of Trollhättan began to be rebuilt in the spirit of the times. The growth of the Saab automotive concern required modern housing and infrastructure.

• Style: Functionalism ("funkis"), modernism.
• Characteristic features: Concise forms, flat roofs, an emphasis on practicality and light colours.
• Urban planning: The central square Drottningtorget and pedestrian streets were reconstructed to meet the needs of a growing population. Apartment blocks and shopping centres made of concrete and glass appeared, typical of Swedish architecture of the 1960s–70s.

Postmodernism and Revitalisation (21st Century)

The modern stage of the city's development is a brilliant example of adaptive reuse. Instead of demolishing old factories, architects integrate them into new life.

• Style: Loft, high-tech, industrial design.
• Iconic district: Innovatum District. The former workshops of the NOHAB factory, where steam locomotives were once assembled, have been turned into a modern scientific and cultural cluster. The 19th-century brick façades have been preserved, but ultra-modern spaces for start-ups, museums, and exhibitions have been created inside. This is a harmonious fusion of historical red brick with modern metal structures and glass.

Notable Figures of Trollhättan

The history of Trollhättan is rich with the names of talented engineers, industrialists, and creative people. Since the city developed as an industrial and technological centre, many famous figures are associated precisely with these spheres, although renowned cultural and sports figures also grew up here.

Engineers and Industry Pioneers

• Nils Ericson (1802–1870)
  Engineer and canal builder.
  Although Ericson was not born in the city itself, his contribution to the development of Trollhättan cannot be overestimated. It was he who designed and led the construction of the second lock system (opened in 1844), which made navigation safe and efficient. His engineering solutions laid the foundation for transforming the settlement into a major transport hub.
• Antenor Nydqvist (1817–1914)
  Industrialist and founder of NOHAB.
  Together with partners, he founded a mechanical workshop that grew into the heavy industry giant NOHAB. Under his leadership, the factory began producing locomotives that brought the city worldwide fame (including large-scale deliveries to Russia). Nydqvist effectively shaped the industrial appearance of the 19th-century city.
• Sixten Sason (1912–1967)
  Industrial designer.
  A legendary designer who worked with the Saab company. It was he who created the look of the first Saab 92 car, defining the aerodynamic and futuristic style of the Swedish automotive industry for decades to come. His work in Trollhättan marked the beginning of the city's automotive era.

Figures of Culture and Sport

• Frank Andersson (1956–2018)
  Greco-Roman wrestler.
  A native of Trollhättan who became a legend of world sport. World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist. Andersson was one of the most vibrant and charismatic figures in Swedish sport in the late 20th century.
• Peter LeMarc (b. 1958)
  Singer and composer.
  One of the most respected Swedish musicians, whose lyrics are often filled with nostalgia and the "industrial melancholy" characteristic of his hometown. In his work, he has repeatedly turned to images of Trollhättan, making it part of Sweden's cultural code.
• Claes Eriksson (b. 1950)
  Director, screenwriter, and comedian.
  A key figure in the famous Swedish comedy group Galenskaparna och After Shave. Born and raised in Trollhättan. His work had a huge influence on Swedish humour and television in the 1980s and 90s.
• Håkan Mild (b. 1971)
  Footballer.
  Born in Trollhättan. Known as a midfielder for the club IFK Göteborg and the Swedish national team. Bronze medallist of the 1994 World Cup, which is considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of Swedish football.