Stockholm (volume I)

Introduction

We visited Stockholm on our northern way from Russia to Germany. It has turned out a little bit more long way on a distance. But the opportunity to get acquainted with three northern capitals - Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen - has weighed down and we have chosen this very way.
We have not regretted about the choice. All three capitals are worthy more careful studying. We had only several hours for excursion in Helsinki and Copenhagen and the whole excursion day in Stockholm. It was possible to get acquainted with its sights very superficially. However now we know what for it is necessary to return there once again.
Stockholm is located on 14 large islands which lay between Saksjon - a gulf of the Baltic Sea and the Malaren Lake. All the main sights of the city are concentrated on coasts of these islands.
The old central part of the city has a name of Gamla Stan and occupies three large islands. Stadholmen Island possesses the Royal palace and ancient inhabited quarters. Riddarholmen island can be proud of the church of Riddarholmskyrkan where the Swedish monarches were buried almost all. The parliament of Sweden and government are located on Helgeandsholmen Island.
The central islands incorporate with bridges to the northern part of the city - Norrmalm. There is business area. In 15 minutes of walking from the centre, there is a main railway complex T-Centralen. Main shops of the city also are located in Norrmalm.
The big island - Kungsholmen is located to the West from Norrmalm. On itswestern part there is a well known Town hall. "An East area" - Estermalm, expensive and quiet area of bourgeoisie lays to the east of Norrmalm.
The unique bridge connects Strandvagen quay with Djurgarden - a museum island. There is a well-known museum on open-air Skansen, a museum of the sunken ship "Vasa", a Northern museum, a park of "Unibaken" with heroes of Astrid Lindgren. On the contrary of Djurgarden there is one more museum island - Skeppsholmen where a set of museums are open, including museums of architecture and the modern art.
Sodermalm is the southern part of the city. This place of bohemia and student's concourses is named "a reserve" of vanguard bars, clubs, and restaurants.
A rainbow met us in Stockholm. It should bring us happiness

History

The basic events in history of Stockholm are the following:
Birger Jarl - a confidant of King Eric Eriksson built a fortress Stockholm ("a timbered island") on a place of a settlement of Holmija in 1252.
Stockholm passed under authority of the Danish king Christian II in the end of the XV-th century…
The Danish king Christian II won a battle on the Osund Lake and besieged Stockholm in 1520. The city capitulated and Christian II was crowned on the Swedish throne. In November he executed Stockholm burghers on the main city square Stortorget ("the Stockholm bloody bath").
Gustav Vasa conducted emancipating struggle against Danes and besieged Stockholm in 1523. After crowning he returned Stockholm under authority of Sweden.
Stockholm was officially declared the capital of Sweden in 1634. An active building stone construction was made in this century. The first general plan of the city building was created; palaces of the Swedish aristocracy were built.
The destructive fire destroyed a lot of buildings, including the royal palace in 1697. The city was built up anew.

Stockholm’s blood bad

On November, 8-9th 1520 on Stortorget - the main square of Stockholm there was a rough handling which received in history the name of "the Stockholm bloody bath" ("Stockholms blood bad").
It was time of Sweden struggle for independence and an exit from the Calmar union. The regent of Sweden Sten Sture - younger tried to resist to the Danish king Christian II. The Danish army intruded in Sweden and crushed the national army. By means of Catholic prelates there was staged a church court in the royal castle.
About 100 noblemen and townspeople were executed in Stockholm on obviously false charge in heresy. Their property was confiscated. According to contemporaries "blood streams flew down with Stortorget"... Similar bloody massacres occurred then in a number of Sweden areas.

"Tre kronor"

The symbol of Sweden "Tre kronor" - an image of three crowns is the arms of the Sweden. It became its major national symbol. The main Royal palace in Stockholm, the most popular Swedish beer and a national team of Sweden refers "Tre kronor".
Three crowns appeared in the Swedish heraldry in the middle of the XIV century and, possibly, symbolized three bible Magi. King Magnus Erickson who approved the arms officially, considered three crowns as an illustration to his title - 'The King of Sweden, Norway and Scone".

Gamla Stan

It is better to begin a walk across Stockholm with acquaintance to three its central islands: Stadholmen, Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen.
The Old city - "Gamla Stan" is located on a northwest extremity of the biggest of three islands - Stadholmen.

Riddarholmen

Riddarholmen island can be found out from apart on an unusual openwork spike of the main island sight - the brick church Riddarholmskyrkan. It is one of the most well-known churches of Stockholm; its construction began in the XIII century. The temple belonged to a monastery of Franciscans those times.
Chapels were repeatedly attached to a Gothic temple during centuries. In the XVIII century its interior was updated in style of a baroque. In 1835 a lightning destroyed a bell tower of a temple which was built up anew and was topped with a carved iron spike.

Riddarholmskyrkan

It is possible to see gravestones almost all Swedish monarchs in the church. The oldest burial place (in the front of an altar) - Magnus Ladulos (1290), who was the founder of a church and a monastery. Gustav IV Adolf is buried in the most beautiful marble sarcophagus.
The church is open for visiting. On 15th May - 15th August: Monday - Sunday, 10.00-17.00. 16-31-th August: Monday - Sunday 10.00-16.00, Saturday - Sunday 12.00-15.00.

Birger Jarls monument

The Northern facade of Riddarholmskyrkan comes on Birger Jarls Torg square.
The monument to the founder of the city Birger Jarls is established in the centre of the square.

Charles Gustav Vrangel palace

The palace of Charles Gustav Vrangel (Wrangelska palatset) is located on the western side of Birger Jarls Torg. The palace was built in the XVII century with the powerful round tower. It reminds of power of medieval kings.
The Swedish monarchs including Charles XII lived there after a fire in the Royal palace. He brought a royal oath there in 1697.

Palaces of Riddarholmen

There are three more residences near to Wrangelska palatset: Schering Rosenshoen (architect N.Tessin - younger, 1650), Hasselstein palace (architect N.Tessin - younger, 1680) and Stenbock palace (architect N.Tessin - the senior, 1640-1677).

Evert Taubes terrass

Having gone down on Wrangelska Backen Street by a palace, you will appear on the coastal Evert Taubes terrace. A magnificent view on the Town hall opens from there.
The terrace is named by a name of the poet and the musician, the monument to whom is installed there.

Riddarhuset

There is one of the most beautiful buildings of Stockholm - Riddarhuset behind the Riddarholmsbron bridge on Stadholmen island. It was constructed by the architect J de la Balle in the style of baroque in the XVII century.
It is easy to notice the word "riddar" - "knight" sounds in the name of the island, and in the name of the bridge, and in the name of the building. It is connected with the fact that representatives of the Swedish nobility lodged there in the XVII century. "The knightly house", Riddarhuset, was intended for regular aristocratic assemblies; therefore it had another "Noble assembly". In the front of the main facade the king Gustav Vasa monument is installed. The statue of the chancellor Aksel Oksenshern, the customer of a building is placed at the back facade.
Monday - Friday 11.30-12.30.

Ricksdagen

Bridge Stallbron conducts to Helgeandsholmen Island. The island is insignificant, therefore we advise to get acquainted with it before to go deep into the confused lanes of Stadholmen.
The name Helgeandsholmen is translated as "an island of Sacred Spirit" and connected with a chapel which was settled down there in the XIV century. The main sight of island - the monumental building of Ricsdagen - the Swedish parliament. It was constructed in 1905 by an architect A.Juhansson.
Visiting only with excursion: Saturday - Sunday 13.30.

Slottsbacken Tre kronor

The monumental building of the Royal palace of "three kings" (Slottsbacken Tre kronor) towers on the opposite side of Rikcsdag. The word-combination "Tre kronor" is known to everyone who heard though something about Sweden.
"Tre kronor" is partially opened for tourists (cash departments are in the western court yard). However it's difficult enough to examine it entirely for a day: there are more than 500 rooms with a set of ancient Gobelin tapestries and pictures. Some museums enter into a palace complex.

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