ÃÂregrund is a locality situated in ÃÂsthammar Municipality, Uppsala County, Sweden. As of 2010, it had 1,555 inhabitants. It is located by the Baltic Sea, on the coast of Uppland. Despite its small population, ÃÂregrund is still commonly referred to as a city for historical reasons.
The town was granted a royal charter in 1491, by request from citizens from the nearby city of ÃÂsthammar. ÃÂsthammar had once been a coastal town, but due to post-glacial rebound its harbour had become useless. The royal council granted the request to construct a city at the end of the archipelago where the sea opened. It further proclaimed "the city shall forever be known as ÃÂregrund". The small but expanding city soon became a point of conflict. In 1520 Christian II of Denmark conquered Stockholm. A young Gustav Eriksson tried to gather an army, and ÃÂregrund became the port whereto ships with men and weapons were transported. As a countermeasure, the Danish King had the city burnt in the winter of 1520. And so, the citizens of ÃÂregrund had to move back to ÃÂsthammar.
Not until 1555, when Gustav Eriksson had become King Gustav I of Sweden (Vasa) and stabilized the nation, were the citizens granted permission to reconstruct the city.
Uppland underwent an Industrial Revolution in the 17th century, with the Swedish iron industry becoming the foundation of Sweden's status as a Great Power. Bar iron was exported through ÃÂregrund. In England the best quality wrought iron was known as Oregrounds iron.
Fishing was basically the only industry through the centuries. The industrialization of the 19th century never took hold in ÃÂregrund, establishing itself in nearby ÃÂsthammar instead.
In the late 19th century a new industry prospered: the spas. People from outside built summer houses and made ÃÂregrund their summer residence. During this era, several fine villas and gardens were built.
However, the summer residents led to decreased tax incomes for the economically troubled city. In 1968, ÃÂregrund was merged with the then-city of ÃÂsthammar. Since the municipal reform of 1971, ÃÂregrund is in ÃÂsthammar Municipality.
In 2017 ÃÂregrund was used as scenery for the Dutch television show (Crown Witness).
The hub of ÃÂregrund is still the harbour. In modern times it is mainly used for small boats. In the summer it flourishes due to small sailboats and other pleasure boats. Boats also arrive from Stockholm, taking a trip from the Stockholm Archipelago.
ÃÂregrund is one of Uppland's best kept wooden cities and attracts many visitors. Apart from the wooden houses, there is also a noteworthy stone church in the town center, and a town hall from the mid 19th century.