The capital city of Sweden is built on an archipelago of 14 islands. This earned Stockholm the nickname, “Venice of the North.” This first travel guide is a walking tour of Gama stan, the Old Town where Stockholm was founded in 1252.
The capital city of Sweden is built on an archipelago of 14 islands. This earned Stockholm the nickname, “Venice of the North.” This first travel guide is a walking tour of Gama stan, the Old Town where Stockholm was founded in 1252.
After a devastating fire destroyed the Swedish castle in 1692, the replacement Stockholm Palace was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Construction began on top of the original foundation five years later. The building was interrupted in 1709 by the Great Northern War, resumed in 1727 and finally completed in 1771. This massive and austere complex for the Swedish royal ramily contains 1,430 rooms.
107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
Dating back to 1523, members of the Royal Guards have stood as sentries at the Stockholm Palace to protect Sweden’s king and queen plus the royal family. This Swedish Army soldier’s dark blue uniform and black helmet signifies his role with the Lifeguards or Livgardet. They are a cavalry and infantry regiment. A popular tourist attraction is watching the changing of the guard ceremony at noon on weekdays.
107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
When entering Stockholm Palace’s southern row, a visitor is immediately impressed with two massive, double-grand staircases beneath a two-story rotunda. This is the western half. The stairs lead to the Hall of State or Rikssalen and contains the Silver Throne of Queen Christina. On the opposite side is the Royal Chapel.
107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
Since 1754, the Royal Chapel inside Stockholm Palace has been the church for the royal family and their court. However, anyone can attend the religious services. Above the magnificent Gren-Stråhle organ are Latin words meaning, “Sing the God’s praise in this sanctuary.” The elaborate gilded ceiling has three paintings by Guillaume Taraval showing the ascension of Christ into heaven.
107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
The Slottsbacken (Palace Slope) seems like an odd place for a bocce court located between the Royal Palace and Storkyrkan Cathedral. But these seniors seemed oblivious to all of the tourists gawking at the historic buildings around them. Instead, they were intent at bowling the metal balls toward the jack.
Slottsbacken 1 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
Dominating the skyline of Gamla stan, the Old Town of Stockholm, is Storkyrkan. The clock tower reaches 216 feet. Located next to the Royal Palace, the cathedral is historically the site of royal religious ceremonies. Church of St. Nicholas was founded in 1279. The Great Church was completed in 1306 and reconstructed in 1740.
Trångsund 1, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden
The physical center of Stockholm is Stortorget in Old Town. Back in Medieval times, the square was also the political and social center of the city. The red building on the left was built in 1479. It is called either Schantzka or Ribbinska Huset. Some claim the white stones, which were added in 1628, symbolize the 82 people who were promised amnesty by Danish King Kristian II after he conquered the city. However, they were arrested while attending his banquet and then beheaded in this square the next day. The 1520 event is called the Stockholm Bloodbath.
Stortorget 18, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden
Börshuset was completed in 1778 on the north side of Stortorget Square. The Neoclassical building housed the Swedish Stock Exchange until the Stockholmsbörsen vacated in 1998. It is now owned by the Swedish Academy. This is where the revered group announces the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature and have their Nobel Museum and Library.
Stortorget 2, 103 16 Stockholm, Sweden
During the 14th century, a gild of German merchants constructed their headquarters in the Old Town of Stockholm. Over a century later, they expanded it to become Sankta Gertrud or St. Gertrude’s Church. In 1878, the 282 foot brick and copper bell tower was added. Today, Tyska Kyrkan is part of the Church of Sweden but is still commonly called the German Church.
Svartmangatan 16, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden
Tyska Kyrkan means German Church in English. Inside, a visitor will find several visual treasures. They include the ornate and gilded King’s Gallery where members of the Swedish royal family of German descent once sat. In this south gallery are 119 murals of biblical passages, large arched windows, a ribbed ceiling and this magnificent organ. The pipes are a reproduction of the 1684 original.
Svartmangatan 16 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden
Most historic sections of major foreign cities tend to be jammed with tourists. This is distracting at best and usually exhausting. If you want to see and feel what Stockholm must have been like centuries ago, then stroll along the cobblestones of Österlånggatan in Gamla stan. The street is calm, charming, historic and a place where neighbors still sit outside to enjoy the sunshine while chatting.
Österlånggatan 32 111 31 Stockholm, Sweden
Österlånggatan is a quaint street running through the eastern side of Old Town. During the 13th century, this was the major road outside of the city walls facing Strömen Bay. It lost its prominence in the 17th century when a block of land was created to form Skeppsborn and the adjoining quay. Today, Österlånggatan is lined with buildings dating back centuries. A good example is Number 37 in the foreground. Part of this building is from Medieval times while most was constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. The gable stone above the door reads in Dutch: “When luck stands by one have a lot of friends but when luck turns where are they then?”
Österlånggatan 37 111 31 Stockholm, Sweden
Österlånggatan in Gamla stan is connected by a series of very small alleys. Many resemble tunnels. The paths are so narrow they typically only accommodate pedestrians and bicycles like this one leaning against the wall of Stora Hoparegrånd. The name implies this passageway was originally used by barrel makers.
Österlånggatan 16 111 31 Stockholm, Sweden
Köpmanbrinken means Merchant’s Slope. The ramp-like street branches off of Österlånggatan in Old Town. This area used to be the city’s fish market during the Middle Ages. At the summit is Saint George slaying the dragon. The sculpture is a 1912 bronze reproduction of a wooden one inside Storkyrkan Cathedral located near the Stockholm Palace.
Köpmantorget, 111 31 Stockholm, Sweden
As a travel photographer, I am fascinated by architectural details. While aiming my camera toward this carving of a man with a winged hat above the portal of Skeppsbron 8 – the waterfront street of Old Town – the front door opened. Out walked Kurt Hahmann, the building’s owner. This delightful gentleman explained the bust was Jonas Alströmer, a prominent 18th century importer, businessman and co-founder of the Royal Academy of Sciences. Alströmer is best known for introducing potatoes into Sweden. This red sandstone building was designed by Erik Josephson in 1901. He was a Swedish architect who specialized in banks such as this previous headquarters of the Målardalen provincial Enskilda Bank.
Skeppsbron 8 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
The first things that might catch your attention about this tall, thin building at Skeppsbron 18 are the two telamones (male-shaped columns) flanking the front door. They are very rare in architecture. You should also admire the sandstone ship bow below the two-story bay window. This magnificent building was a bank from 1910 until 1970. The current occupant, Investment AB Kinnevik, annually sponsors Stockholm’s largest Christmas tree.
Skeppsbron 18 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
This romantic couple is intertwined along the quay of Gamla stan. They are gazing across the Strömmen channel at af Chapman, a full-rigged sailing ship. The Swedish vessel was called Dunboyne when launched in 1888. The ship encircled the globe several times before being decommissioned in 1934. After being docked at Skeppsholmen islet in 1949, the ship was converted into a youth hostel with 285 beds. Af Chapman is managed by the Swedish Tourist Association.
Skeppsbrokajen 104 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
The major waterfront street in Gamla stan is Skeppsbron. The name means The Ship’s Bridge. It is lined with 24 pastel-colored buildings. Collectively, they are called Skeppsbroraden. This strip of land in Old Town was manmade during the early 17th century to become a quay for docking ships. By 1854, the current stone walls were finished and the harbor began to be called Skeppsbrokajen. As the port became prosperous, most of these buildings were constructed during the early 20th century as banks, merchants, warehouses or for other shipping related businesses.
Skeppsbron 26, 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
This beautiful sunset bathes the history of Stockholm with hues of orange and yellow. In the center, on the island of Stadsholmen, is Gamla stan. Old Town originated in the 13th century. The spires on the horizon are (left to right): Riddarholm Church (13th century), City Hall (20th century), German Church (14th century) and Storkyrkan Cathedral (14th century). Floating in the Strömmen waterway is Stockholms Ström 2. This passenger ferry was powered by a steam engine when launched in 1894.
Strömmen, Saltsjön Bay, Stockholm, Sweden
Prior to the 13th century, a small islet now called Riddarholmen was a pasture for livestock. In 1270, King Magnus Ladulås had a Franciscan monastery constructed here as his future gravesite. Over time, it evolved into a Catholic and then Protestant church. For more than three centuries, Riddarholm Church was the traditional burial site for Swedish monarchs.
Riddarholm Church 107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
Riddarholm Church was constructed in the late 13th century. This qualifies as one of Stockholm’s oldest buildings. There was not a tower when this was built as a monastery. In 1581, King John III hired Willem Boy, a prolific architect at the time, to create a spire. After it was destroyed by lightening in 1835, this cast-iron version was added. Notice how the diamond-shaped design seems to turn blue against the sky.
Riddarholm Church 107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
Construction of this stunning Baroque building named Riddarhuset began in 1641. It was the House of Nobility, also called the Knights’ House. In 1866, noblemen lost their power to the country’s new parliament. However, three classes of Swedish nobility still exist: lords, knights and esquires. These titles do not have special privileges but do convey social status. The Riddarhuset institution maintains records of all past noble families.
Riddarhuset Riddarhustorget 10 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
In 1774, Pierre Hubert Larchevêque created the statue of Gustav I in front of the Riddarhuset. Gustaf Eriksson Vasa led the Swedish War of Liberation against Denmark in the early 16th century. After his victory, he was king from 1523 until 1560. Many consider him to be the father of today’s Sweden. The Latin inscription on the House of Nobility’s pediment reads, “After the clear example of forefathers.”
Riddarhuset Riddarhustorget 10 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
In a city built on small islands, one is so tiny it did not warrant being named on a Stockholm map until 1733. Seven years later, businessman Berge Ström purchased the islet. In 1750, he built a large stone house. The island was then named Strömsborg meaning Stream Castle. This double entendre refers to his last name and the Strömmen River flowing around it. In 1878, Strömsborg was made accessible by land with a small bridge named Strömsborgsbron attached to the Vasabron. Ström’s home was then replaced by the current building in 1897. Today, this is the headquarters for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Strömsborg 111 28 Stockholm Sweden
The namesake for Vasabron is King Gustav Vasa. Since 1878, the bridge has spanned the Norrström to connect the Old Town of Gamla stan with the Norrmalm district shown here. The buildings on the left run along Strömgatan street. Visible on the right are the dome of Sankt Jacobs Kyrka and the Royal Swedish Opera House.
Vasabron 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
This view of the Norrström from the Vasabron or Vasa Bridge shows how it winds through central Stockholm. It starts as an enormous, 75 mile long lake west of the city called Mälaren. The river forms at Riddarfjärden bay a short distance from this photo. Norrström then empties into the Baltic Sea. The water is too fast for reliable transportation but is a favorite among fishermen.
Vasabron, 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
At the turn of the 20th century, two buildings were constructed side-by-side on Helgeandsholmen island in Stockholm: the Riksdagshuset and the Riksbank. These names translate into the Parliament and the National Bank. This archway over a pedestrian street connects the two structures. Both organizations moved out during the 1970s for an extensive renovation. Afterwards, the Parliament occupied both buildings.
Riksgatan 1, 100 12 Stockholm, Sweden
The original Swedish Parliament Building was finished in 1905. Riksdagshuset is an impressive structure made even more imposing because it consumes half of Helgeandsholmen islet in Old Town. In the center of its two wings is huge a bronze door. Above the entry is this magnificent relief of the Greater coat of arms of the Kingdom of Sweden. Don’t overlook the two cherubs blowing their horns.
Norrbro 1 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
On the small island of Helgeandsholmen, which is dominated by the Parliament House, is Stockholm’s oldest (1832) yet recently renovated park: Strömparterren. The name means “Downstairs at Strömmen.” The term is appropriate because you need to walk the stairs at the Norrbro bridge to reach it. The park is a perfect oasis for a panoramic view of the city while listening to the bubbling pool and the rapids of the Norrström stream. Also here is the Museum of Medieval Stockholm.
Strömparterren 3 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
This statue of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, poetry and music, appears to be flashing the city of Stockholm because he is naked except for his helmet. Called the Sun Singer, or Solsångaren in Swedish, the sculpture was created by Carl Milles. The giant bronze stands proudly and unabashedly in Strömparterren Park overlooking the Norrström with the Grand Hôtel in the background.
Strömparterren 3 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
On Helgeandsholmen islet, tourists, guides and buses race around in all directions. Yet at Strömparterren Park, local fishermen seem oblivious to the bustle. Instead, they patiently attend to their art of catching salmon, perch, pike, trout and other species from the rushing waters of the Norrström.
Strömparterren 3 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
North Bridge (Norrbro in Swedish) extends over the Norrström River in two parts. The first section (not shown) was completed in 1806 and leads from the Royal Palace to the Helgeandsholmen island. This northern end with its three, Neoclassical arches was built in 1797. It connects to Gustav Adolfs torg square and Royal Swedish Opera House on the left. This bridge is the starting point for the Encircle Stockholm travel guide.
Norrbro 3, 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden