Our Family: Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden

This is a city that I would definitely visit again. There just wasn't enough time to explore everything I wanted to explore. There was a marathon happening in the city on the day we visited and we weren't able to use the bus system which cut our touring time drastically.

Our first destination was the Vasa Museum, where a 17th century warship at the bottom of the sea is now inside a museum. These pictures are NOT of the Vasa Museum. I think every single tour bus was at the Vasa Museum this day. There was a 2 hour wait when we got there ... we decided to tour Stockholm instead. These pictures are of the Danish Renaissance palace turned into the Nordic Museum located right next door to the Vasa Museum. We didn't go inside here either, because our 5 kids would rather not see 5 centuries of traditional Swedish lifestyle.

The Royal Dramatic Theater is pictured on the left. I took this picture when the tram stopped and opened it's doors. It isn't the best picture, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity I was presented because the building is beautiful.

Next stop ... City Hall (Stadshuset)

This red brick building was built in 1923 and still functions as the city hall. It is so neat. We took the 50 minute, 90 kr, tour and I highly recommend doing it too.

Go here for more information:

http://international.stockholm.se/cityhall

These two pictures are what the inner courtyard looks like, BEFORE you enter the building

Pictured above is The Blue Hall. It was suppose to be blue, but at the last minute the architect decided to keep the red brick look. The name was ingrained in everyone by the time is was finished that they just kept it. This is also famous due to the fact that every year on Dec. 10th after the Nobel Prize Ceremony takes place at the Stockholm concert hall the guests make their way over here to dine at the banquet.

The above picture is where the Swedish city council meets, The Council Chamber. It is where 101 people representing the population of Stockholm meet. They meet in the evening because they are regular people with normal day jobs like everyone else. What is neat is that most of them are women.

Check out the ceiling! It was designed after the Swedish Viking age. This place was impressive!

These two pictures are of the Prince's Gallery. There are windows on the right side of the above picture that give a great view of the Lake Mälaren and across the lake Södermalm.

The picture below is a fresco picture of the view of the lake and the city, kind of like a reflection from the windows on the opposite side of the room.

It is called "Stockholm's Shores" and was created by Prince Eugene.

Above is The Golden Room

The walls were designed by Eilen Forseth and are covered with 18 million glass and mosaic pieces. All over the walls are stories from Swedish history, with all kinds of historical portraits. Straight ahead is the Queen of Lake Mälaren.

Here are a few shots of the view from City Hall

Another view of City Hall

A Cathedral we didn't have time to go inside ...

Here are some of the things we saw while walking around Stockholm, it was such a neat city.

This is Stortorget, which is Stockholm's oldest square. This is probably my favorite spot!

just some more shots in the square

This is the Stock Exchange in the square where an orchestra is playing. This is why this was my favorite spot in Stockholm, it was amazing to listen to this orchestra playing! During Christmas time they set up a little Christmas market here.

Some sad history that took place here in the square is the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520. Some of the people who challenged Danish rule (Swedish aristocracy, leading merchants, and priests) were rounded up and gathered here and were beheaded.

But ... one of the victim's son escaped, went into hiding, and later lead a Swedish revolt against the Danish. A few years later the Swedish elected that victim's son, Gustav Vasa, as their first king. Gustav Vasa was the one responsible for the Swedish Renaissance.

This is the German Church. We really wanted to go inside but there was a wedding taking place.

This is what the courtyard of the German Church looks like

The little guy is the Iron Boy, the smallest public statue in Stockholm. He is the size of your fist. He is behind the Finnish church in the churchyard. It is believed to honor the orphans who had to transfer cargo from the sea ships to the ships on the lakes before the locks were built. He is a cute little guy. Some believe if you rub his head he will give you good luck ... and yes, of course we rubbed his head. Every family needs a little good luck now and again.