The trip to Stockholm came somewhat unexpected. Was placed for spring but due to some other circumstances it was cancelled. Then I was talking to my friend Claudia to go somewhere where the weather is nice and warm and maybe there is a beach and we ended up...yeap in Stockholm . Making the long story short, I let you get inspired for your visit to Sweden.
Getting into Stockholm can take a bit especially depending from which airport you are coming from. You can get more details from my post (especially relevant if landing on Arlanda)
1. Runestone (Gamla Stan)
"In the corner of Prastgatan and Kakbrinken is a runestone in the wall, carrying the inscription "Torsten and Frogunn had the stone erected after their son." The stone was probably brought to Stockholm to be used as building material, from where is not known. As the female name Frogunn is known as a pagan name, the stone is believed to be from around 1000, the stone thus being about 200 years older than the city." (Source)
2. Patrician Houses at Stortorget (Gamla Stan)
Stortotget is the oldest square in Stockholm, the historical centre on which the medieval urban conglomeration gradually came into being
Number 14-22 - The buildings on the west side are the only ones occupied by private persons.
- Number 22, the green building on the left side of Kakbrinken, is from 1758 but is standing on medieval walls. It was occupied by the councillor Johan Berndes who developed the Swedish copper production in the 17th century, then by the Saxon Polycarpus Crumbugel, close friend to King Charles XI who caused the so-called Reduction when an important part of the Swedish nobility lost its estates (for which he was raised to peerage as Cronhielm).
- The buildings on Number 18-20 were merged in the 17th century and subsequently named after Johan Eberhard Schantz, the secretary of Charles X Gustavus who also added the stepped gable and the grand portal on the left building. Parts of the interior still reflect the luxury which surrounded the royal secretary. The 82 white stones on Number 20, Ribbinska huset ("House of Ribbing") or Schantzka huset ("House of Schantz"), are occasionally said to symbolize the heads decapitated by the Danish king in 1520. The house was, however, built no later than 1479, when it appears in historical records.
- The block on Number 14-16 is named after Asclepius, the son of Apollo and the demigod of medicine, which reflects the presence of the "Raven Pharmacy" (Apoteket Korpen) at this address for more than 300 years. While still present on Vasterlanggatan just a few blocks away, the pharmacy was originally settled on Stortorget in 1638 when the court pharmacist Philip Schmidt offered not only medicine at this address, but also assorted sweets and mulled wine.
3. Most Narrow Street in Stockholm: Marten Trotzigs Grand (Gamla Stan)
The street has 36 steps and is 90 cm wide. The alley is named after the merchant and burgher Marten Trotzig (1559-1617), who, born in Wittenberg, immigrated to Stockholm in 1581, and bought properties in the alley in 1597 and 1599, also opening a shop there. (Source)
4. Boy looking at the Moon (Gamla Stan)
"Located on Bollhustappan is, arguably, the smallest public sculpture in Sweden, named Pojke som tittar pa manen ("Boy Looking at the Moon") or Jarnpojken ("Iron Boy") but colloquially called "Olle". It is sculpted by Liss Eriksson (1919-2000) in 1954 and was inaugurated in 1967. It retells the memory from the artist's childhood of when he during sleepless night used to sit on his bed to stare at the moon through his window. Made of sandstone and wrought iron, its stylized form contrasts the warmth of its expression; its informal and restrained manners making it one of the most appreciated pieces of art in the city, fondled by crowds of tourists every year, as the shiny head shows, and given coins and goodies, while Stockholmers occasionally knits neckerchiefs and caps for the boy to wear during winters." (Source)
5. Bridge between Gamla Stan & Sodermalm
The area is in constriction so very possible that this sign will go away soon, but I found it very funny
6. View from the top: Mariaberget (Sodermalm)
This is a great spot for a panoramic view over Stockholm's City Hall & Riddarfjarden.
7. Humor - Skulptur (Sodermalm)
Next to Slussen Metro Station (Peter Myndes Backe street), I noticed this statue and after some checks I found out that it was made in 1967 by Karl Gote Bejemark. The sculpture is a homage to the Swedish comedian Hans Alfredson.
8. Fotografiska (Sodermalm)
It's a photography museum, which holds different temporary expos. You can check what's on via their website. Some pictures of what was on when I've been.
Jimmy Nelson: Homage to Humanity
Saga Wendotte - In between Realities
Christian Houge: Escaping the Limbo of Man
9. The City Hall (Kungsholmen)
It's actually one of my favorite spots. The inside court is super cute especially in autumn & you can get a nice view over the water towards Riddarfjarden
10. Vasa Museum (Skansen)
This is a museum that only holds a boat which sank 15 min after it left the port. Make sure you join a tour as it's very informative.
Make sure you check the website.
11. Art in Metro Stops
Several Metro Stops in Stockholm are painted inside. If you have a SL card, you can just take the metro on off and visit as many as time allows you.
12. Don't forget the Souvenirs
Don't get crazy with the souvenirs as a lot of them are so very cute.
Curious about food? Check out my post to see what I tried out.
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