Kungsholmen 4.21

Kungsholmen is an island in Lake Mälaren in Sweden, part of central Stockholm. It is situated north of Riddarfjärden and considered part of the historical province Uppland. Its area is 3.9km2 with a perimeter of 8.9km. The highest point is at Stadshagsplan at 47m. The total population is 56,754 (December 31, 2007).Administratively, it is subdivided into the five districts Kungsholmen, Marieberg, Fredhäll, Kristineberg and Stadshagen.HistoryEstablishmentFranciscan monks from the Grey Friar's Abbey, Stockholm, began living on the island in the 15th century. Because of this, the island was named Munklägret (the Monks' encampment). The monks subsisted on cattle-breeding and fishing. They also managed the brickyard Själakoret at Rålambshov. As a result of the Swedish Reformation, which was concluded at the parliament in Västerås 1527, the monks were expelled and the area became property of the crown.At the end of the 16th century, Johan III (son of Gustav Vasa) established an additional brickyard on the northern bank of the island. In 1635 the first bridge to Munklägret was built.