Gamla Stan

This is my gateway to adventure:

Gamla Stan

So the first touristy thing I did was go to Gamla Stan which is old town Stockholm.  It dates back to the 13^th century  and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets and archaic architecture.   The architecture is exquisite.

 

Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the centre of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchants' houses including the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building. The square was the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath, where Swedish noblemen were massacred by the Danish King Christian II in November, 1520. The following revolt and civil war led to the dissolution of the Kalmar Union and the subsequent election of King Gustav I.

 

As well as being home to the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, and the Riddarholm church, Gamla stan also boasts Kungliga slottet, Sweden's baroque Royal Palace, built in the 18th century after the previous palace Tre Kronor burned down. The House of Nobility(Riddarhuset) is on the north-western corner of Gamla stan.

Well enough history… it is a lovely place to wander through the crowded streets, listen to street musicians, sit on a patio or find tourist souvenirs to take home.  If you want a bit of quiet you can wander down to the water.  There is a ferry boat to take you to other islands which is actually part of the transit system.  I will have to ride it one day. 

I toured the Riddarholm church, which is absolutely beautiful from the outside, thinking it was a church, - history was not one of my best subjects – but it is the burial church of the Swedish monarchs.  Although it wasn’t what I expected, it was very interesting and a true history lesson.

But the best part of Gamla stan was the lemon ice cream.  It was just the right amount of sweet and sour and very refreshing on a very hot day.

See you soon.

Chris