Gamla Stan (Old Town)
Perfectly preserved and charming beyond belief describes Stockholm’s Old Town or Gamla Stan. At its summit stands the Royal Palace (more to follow) from which cobblestone streets spider outwards and down to the harbor. What’s amazing is that kindergarten schools and offices coexist alongside the typical tourist shops and charming hotels. Plan on spending over USD $1 million for a flat in this neck of the woods.
Riddarholmen Church
Ok, so a mass has not been said here for over two hundred years. As such, it’s more of a monument than church today. What’s impressive, however, are the coats of arms (shields) which memorialize famous members of Sweden’s royal family along with certain foreign VIPs. Members of the current reigning dynasty are entombed here until and including King Gustav V who passed in 1950.
Statshuset (City Hall)
Wow. How many municipal buildings to you know of that have rooms covered in gold leaf. The City Hall is where the annual Nobel Prize dinner takes place. As befits one of the world’s most progressive demonocracies, the winning design for the City Hall was selected from a contest. Similarly, to this day, a lottery is held annually among Swedish university students for tickets to the three course Nobel prize dinner.
Vasa Museum
Kids and adults alike love this museum. The Vasa was the flagship of the Swedish Navy in 1628. It never really made it as far as a maiden voyage. Rather, almost as soon as it was launched, the Vasa sunk in Stockholm harbor and became petrified on the cold, muddy bottom for the next three hundred years. It was raised in the 1960s. Currently housed in a modern, climate controlled museum, the Vasa is a must see.
Nordic Museum
Right next to the Vasa Museum is the Nordic Museum. It contains an interesting assortment of textiles and Swedish-design furniture. Arguably Swedish interior design reached its zenith in the mid-1700s. You be the judge.
Stockholm’s Archipelago
The City of Stockholm lies among a series of islands. Many are easy day trips or, better yet, even partial day trips from the city. If you just want to get a flavor, an hour’s boat ride to Vaxholm and its fortress is recommended. The fortress itself was deemed obsolete from a military perspective just about the time it was finally completed. Not to worry, however, because it makes a great sightseeing destination today. The boat itself (SS Stockholm) had an impressive smorgasbord. If you could abstain, once deposited on the dock at Vaxholm, there are a string of quant restaurants. Fried herring is the ticket unless you have not already had your fill of Swedish meatballs. Mashed potatoes and lingonberries complement either dish.
