Stockholm - a beautiful metropol

Stockholm is a very beautiful city. This is attested to by all visitors. Yet many are surprised to discover how different the various parts of the city are in nature and atmosphere. The impressive differences in altitude in Söder and its fabulous views over Stockholm present a dramatic contrast to the narrow alleys of the Old Town or the expansive parks of Djurgården, the former pastureland. Or to the charming shopping streets around Stureplan and the ambience of the Östermalm market square and market hall. Visit these places yourself and discover the true beauty of Stockholm!

Royal Palace
The Royal Palace houses both apartments and the King's Offices, and it is also open to the public. In this respect it is unique in the whole world.
Located in Gamla Stan, the original city centre, the palace was built on top of the foundations of a previous mediaeval castle - Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) – which was ravaged by fire in 1697. Designed by Nicodemus Tesssin Junior, the Palace is one of the most important baroque buildings in Europe. The Palace was completed in 1754 and served as the residence of the royal family until 1981. The family now resides in the Drottningholm Palace.
The State Rooms (the Hall of State, the Apartments of the Orders of Chivalry, the Treasury and
the Museum of Antiquities of Gustav III) are open to the public.

Kulturhuset Cultural Centre
The library, small cafés and shops that fill the eight floors of Kulturhuset are familiar to many a weary Finnish tourist. Less worn-out travellers are well advised to visit the exhibitions, which cover a range of everyday phenomena and popular culture, movie sets, theatre costumers, cartoons, multimedia, etc.
Location: Sergelstorg; closest underground station: T-centralen.
Information about current events is available from www.kulturhuset.stockholm.se.

Entrance to Stockholm’s museums is now free in 2006!

Stockholm is the city of museums: with some 100 interesting museums to visit, visitors are spoilt for choice. As of January 2005, entrance to the following museums is free (except for special exhibitions):

Arkitekturmuseet (Swedish Museum of Architecture), Medelhavsmuseet (Museum of Mediterranean and Near-Eastern Antiquities), Nordiska museet (National Museum of Cultural History),
Armémuseum (Army Museum) ,Moderna museet, Etnografiska museet (Museum of Ethnography),
Historiska museet (Museum of National Antiquities of Sweden), Musikmuseet (Stockholm Music Museum), Sjöhistoriska museet (Maritime Museum),
Kungliga Myntkabinettet (Royal Coin Cabinet), Nationalmuseum, Östasiatiska museet,
Livrustkammaren (Royal Armoury), Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (Swedish Museum of Natural History), 9 rooms at the Hallwylska museet (Hallwyl Museum; first floor State Rooms), guided tour of other rooms subject to charge.
www.stockholmtown.se

The Royal Swedish Opera
The Royal Swedish Opera was inaugurated in 1898. The building represents rare late-Italian Renaissance and was declared a national heritage site in 1945. The most famous room is the Golden Foyer, which dates back to the days of King Oscar II. Measuring 28 metres long and 11 metres wide, the foyer is decorated with gold stucco walls and paintings on the ceiling. The heavy chandeliers and large mirrors multiply its dazzling splendour.
- The paintings in the ceiling above the main staircase are also worth viewing. They depict poetry, song, dance and instrumental music, as well as the harmony that unifies them.
- Operakällaren is an excellent restaurant with an atmospheric ambience. The walls are decorated with oak panels and the ceilings are supported by gilded pillars decorated with hunting motifs. The fireplace is built of Swedish marble.
Location: Gustav Adolfs torg; closest underground station: Kungsträdgården.
The season’s programme is available from www.operan.se.

Museums

Nordiska Museet (National Museum of Cultural History)
Displays both cultural history and Swedish art. One of the best-known Swedish painters is Carl Larsson, who immortalised his home and large family on canvas. The works of many other artists have interesting connections with the golden era of Finnish art, allowing visitors to draw interesting comparisons. The display of tables set for dinner gives a good illustration of how dining habits have changed over the centuries.
Location: Djurgården; closest underground station: Karlaplan.

Vin & Sprithistoriska Museet (Historical Museum of Wines and Spirits)
Gives visitors an overview of the history and production methods of wine, Swedish punch, glögg (mulled wine) and spirits. You will learn about grape varieties, flavouring methods and the rich tradition of wine usage.
Location: address Dalagatan 100; closest underground station: Odenplan.

Moderna Museet
Since the re-opening, the museum of modern art, its standing collections and changing exhibitions have become more popular than ever before.
Gamla Stand, Skeppsholmen 103
For information on current exhibitions, see www.modernamuseet.se »

Thielska Galleriet (Thiel Gallery)
A splendid private home which also includes examples of old Finnish art.
Djurgården, Sjötullsbacken 6.

For more museums, see www.stockholmsmuseer.com »