“Pic of the Week”, July 30, 3032: Strömparterren—Stockholm’s oldest Public Park

05 Stromparterren

Located on a small island called Helgeandsholmen is Stockholm’s oldest park, Strömparterren (1832), which has been recently renovated.  You descend to the park from stairs on the Norrbro bridge.  It’s not a large park but is pretty and offers beautiful views of the city, so it’s worth the effort to reach.  Strömparterren is surrounded on three sides by the Royal Palace, the Parliament Building and the Royal Opera House.
It’s a great place to sit and relax, people-watch, and enjoy the scenery. The park is a popular place from which to fish and it’s possible to catch salmon, trout and pike.
The park is best known for its statue The Sun Singer (Solsångaren) crafted by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. This statue sits on …

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“Pic of the Week”, June 11, 2021: Sergels Torg — Obelisk and Fountain

00 Stockholm Obelisk

Sergels Torg is Stockholm’s busiest public square. It was modernized and expanded in the 1950s to deal with the city’s growing population.
One of the city’s best-known fountains is located in Sergels Torg. It was completed in 1968, and since 2000 has been designated as a national cultural landmark. A contest was held for the design of the fountain’s central monument, which was won by sculptor Edvin Öhrström. ln 1974 the fountain’s main feature was installed, the Crystal Vertical Accent, or glass obelisk. 
The glass obelisk is 37.5 m (123 feet) tall. When it’s dark the oblesik is illuminated from within, making it all the more impressive.
Sergel’s Torg is a popular place for public gatherings. It’s home of the Cultural museum and a major metro …

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.All Trips / Europe / Sweden

Stockholm’s Unique City Hall

00 Stockholm City Hall

Stockholm City Hall is unusually popular for a government building and is one of Stockholm’s most visited attractions. While it is a functioning government building — including with a city council chamber and supporting offices and staff — it’s most famous as being the venue for the Nobel Prize banquet held on the 10th of December each year.
City Hall is built on the shore of Kungsholmen Island and offers great views of the old sections of the city and Lake Malarenan.   The building was constructed between 1911-1923 and was said to be the city’s largest architectural project of the 20th century.  The  building was designed by noted architect, Ragnar Östberg.  More than 8 million bricks were used in its …

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“Pic of the Week”, March 26, 2021: Kungsträdgården, Stockholm

06 Kungstradgarden (1)

Kungsträdgården (the King’s Garden) is a popular park and public space in the center of Stockholm, not far from the Royal Palace.  It dates to the Middle Ages and, just like the city in which it resides, has changed a lot over the centuries.
This place is popular with the Swedes and you’ll likely find it busy, especially in the warmer summer months when a covered stage hosts many popular events such as concerts.   There are rows of benches for sitting and a variety of cafes and restaurants you can enjoy.
In the colder weather you can explore a popular Christmas market on December weekends, or a skating rink.
I was especially fond of the following fountain, by Johan Molin. It was originally …

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“Pic of the Week”, March 5, 2021: Stockholm’s Concert Hall.

03 Royal Concert Hall (1)

The Stockholm Concert Hall (Konserthuset) was constructed to be the home of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, opening in 1926.  It’s situated on Hötorget (adjoining the Hay Market).
The neoclassical design of the blue building was by Ivar Tengbom and it’s built in the style of a Greek temple.  The Concert Hall is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Stockholm.  Guided tours of the interior are available wherein you can enjoy its grand staircases and crystal chandeliers.
In addition to hosting more than 200 orchestra concerts each year, the Concert Hall is also home to the annual Nobel Prize Award Ceremony every December 10th, which is attended by the Swedish Royal family, Nobel Laureates and their guests.  The …

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Some Doors of Stockholm

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A sampling of some of the interesting doors I encountered during my exploration of Stockholm during a recent visit.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance slideshow)

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A Visit to the Stockholm Cathedral

Storkyrkn 01

Stockholm has a fascinating medieval Cathedral known as Storykyrkn (the great church), which is dedicated to St. Nicholas.  It was built in 1279 on the highest hill in the old city, on an island called Stadsholmen.  Originally Catholic, the Cathedral has since 1527 been a Lutheran church.  It’s located next to the Royal Castle in Stockholm’s old town (Gamla Stan) and has born witness to many of the highlights of Swedish history.  It’s still an active church, with religious services and concerts, and places for meditation and prayer.  The wedding of  Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel took place here in 2010, as did her parent’s wedding in 1976….

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