STOCKHOLM – THE CAPITAL OF SWEDEN
The main streets of the Old City are Vasterlanggatan and Osterlanggatan. There was a time when inside the district was restricted by these streets; along today’s Prastgatan Street there was a wall that protected the city. In the center of the Old City there’s the Stortorget Square that is the central point of this part of town; and Kopmangatan Street runs from it – the oldest street of Stockholm mentioned as early as in 1300s. Marten Trotzigs grand lane is not easy to find. It is the narrowest lane of the Old City in its narrowest point being only 90 cm wide. Do not forget the Riddarholmen Island with Riddarholmskyrkan church. The church is a burial place of the Swedish kings and was founded in 1200s as a monastery of the Franciscan Order, the so-called “Grey Brothers-Monks.”
The city council Stadshuset with three gilded crowns on the spire of the belfry is the most famous silhouette of Stockholm. Go up to the belfry and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
Stockholm City Council is one of the most outstanding patterns of architecture of National Romantic style. The council was built by architect Ragnar Ostberg’s design and was opened on the midday of the summer of 1923. It took 8 millions of bricks to build the Council and the belfry 106 meters high crowned with the National Coat of Arms of Sweden – the three crowns. Behind the solemn façade there are offices of city services, conference halls of politicians and servicemen as well as practical banquet halls and unique collections of pieces of art. In the Council Hall (Radssalen) members of the municipal council of Stockholm meet. The facilities of the City Council are also the place where the Noble Banquet is held. After lunch in the Blue Hall, Noble prize winners, members of the Royal Court and guests dance in the Golden Hall, the interior of which is decorated with 18 million pieces of gilded ceramics.
In the Council’s souvenir shop one can purchase specially made souvenirs and gifts on the theme “the City’s Council and Stockholm.” Everyday excursions accompanied by guides speaking in several languages take place here.
Welcome to one of the biggest palaces of Europe! In the King’s Palace, which is the official residence of His Majesty King of Sweden, there are more than 600 rooms.
The Palace, in which there are 5 museums, is open for general public. The main part of the Palace is built in 1700s in the Italian Baroque Style on the site of an old Tre Kronor fortress that burned in 1697. One can visit the museum of Antique sculpture of King Gustav III, the Tre Kronor museum and the Treasury of Royal valuables (Scottkammaren). In the King’s Palace there is also an armory Livrustkammaren with kings’ garments and arms. Beside that, one can see the carriages used for coronation of Swedish kings from the old King’s stalls. Do not miss the parade of military orchestra and daily change of sentries.
Vasa is the only ship built in 1600s that survived to this day and is a unique sight. The ship is more than 95% built of the original parts and is richly decorated with carved figures.
The Vasa military ship sank on the day of its first sail in the center of Stockholm in August of 1628 and was lifted up in 1961 after 333 years of being on the bottom of the sea. For almost 50 years the ship was gradually, with much care, thoroughly restored almost to its original condition. The three masts towering over the roof of a specially built museum show the height of the original masts of the ship.
Nowadays, Vasamuseet is the most visited museum of Scandinavia. Every year more than 1 million visitors come here. Around this ancient ship there are 9 different exhibitions showing the life on the ship. A film about Vasa is shown in 16 languages. Beside that, there are a souvenir store with a great variety of items and a cozy restaurant in the museum. The museum is open every day.
Skansen is the oldest outdoor museum in the world and Stockholm’s zoo beautifully located on a hill of the king’s island Yurgorden with a fantastic view of Stockholm.
Skansen Park is a favorite place of Stockholm dwellers and the city’s guests and is an ideal place to visit with the whole family. In Skansen you can get familiar with traditional crafts and traditions of Sweden. One can see Sweden’s history in miniature here. 150 houses and manors were brought here part by part from different regions of the country. You will find interesting living quarters with workshops to make glass items, medieval pottery, a blacksmith’s shop, a bakery, a nobleman’s court, Skogaholm Inn and a beautiful wooden church Seglora of 1700s as well as Bollnastorget market square. For those interested in traditional crafts there is a little shop with the produce of the masters. One can look at representatives of Swedish fauna: an elk, a bear, a bobcat, a wolf, a glutton and a seal. On the territory of the park there are a terrarium, a monkey pavilion and a children’s zoo.
In Skansen traditional Swedish festivals are celebrated – the feast of the Midsummer, the Day of Saint Walpurgis and the feast of Saint Lucia. Skansen is especially interesting during Christmas holidays, when there is a Christmas fair, traditional Swedish Christmas table is set up, and it sometimes even snows. As for those who wish to try the traditional Swedish table, they should visit Solliden restaurant. In Skansen Park there are several restaurants and cafes.
Fantastic fairy tale world of Junibacken museum located on the king’s island Jurgorden presents characters of famous Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren and other popular children’s writers.
A fairy tale train will take you into the fairy tale magic world of Astrid Lindgren. In Junibacken you will meet Pippy Longstrump, Maddicen, Jemil, Carlsson, who lives on the roof, and many others.
This year’s exhibition presents characters of the books of Swedish children’s writer Elsa Beskov. There is a children museum here with a central exhibition of fairy tale books and a theater with daily performances. Do not miss an opportunity to visit a café specially designed for children and an excellent children’s bookstore.
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