STOCKHOLM – THE GREEN CAPITAL

STOCKHOLM TOURS

STOCKHOLM – THE GREEN CAPITAL

Stockholm was awarded with the ‘Green Capital’ title by the EU Commission in 2010. It is not surprising at all – the city is one of the cleanest capitals in the world. Ecology and sustainable urban development are in focus for administration of the city. The level of carbon dioxide emission has been reduced down to 25 % for the last 10 years and the air of Stockholm is one of the cleanest if world’s biggest cities are considered. 30 % of the city is occupied by green areas, including the first in the world urban nature reserve – the Royal National City Park. There are also 219 nature reserves in the surroundings of the agglomeration.

RIDDARHOLMEN CHURCH

Riddarholmen Church is the burial place of the kings of Sweden and the only preserved medieval monastery church throughout the country.

ROSENBAD PALACE

The Rosenbad (Rose Bath) – the seat of the government of Sweden and the office of prime minister that is situated in the palace complex by the Strommen canal. The residence was built between 1900 and 1904. The name comes from the previous seventeenth-century bathhouse that was located in the same place where guests could take a bath with the fragrance of lily, chamomile or rose.

VASA

On Sunday 10th August 1628 Vasa lay rigged and ready for sea just below the Tre Kronor Royal Palace. Ballast, guns and ammunition were all on board. For the first few hundred meters Vasa was warped along the waterfront with cables from the shore. The ship did not begin to sail until she reached what is now Slussen. Sailors climbed the rigging to set four of Vasa’s ten sails. A salute was fired and Vasa slowly began her maiden voyage. Once Vasa came out from under the lee of the Södermalm cliffs, the sails could catch the wind, but the ship was tender and heeled over to port, then heeled again, even farther. Water rushed in through the open gun ports and the ship’s fate was decided. Vasa sank, after sailing barely 1300 meters. The crew threw themselves into the water or clung to the rigging until rescued, but not all managed to save themselves. Eyewitnesses differ on the exact numbers, but perhaps 30 of approximately 150 people on board died. Vasa was lifted from the sea after 333 years.

It is the only one original seventeenth-century ship in the world that has survived until today.

SKANSEN IN STOCKHOLM

The first open-air museum in Sweden. Apart of old building there is a small zoo there with Nordic domestic and wild animals.

DROTTNINGHOLM PALACE

Drottningholm Palace on the Lovön Island is the best preserved seventeenth-century palace in Sweden. The residence has been a seat of the present King of Sweden – Carl XVI Gustaf since 1981. Beautiful interior of the palace formed under the inspiration of successive rulers of Sweden is not the only attraction of the royal estate. The palace gardens, the park, the theater or a visit to the China Pavilion are must-sees during a visit to Drottningholm. The palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

MILLESGÅRDEN

Carl Milles – Swedish artist born in Uppsala who became famous for his monumental sculptures. During a visit in the Millesgården the visitors may see the house of the sculptor and his wife – Olga, along with the art gallery and original furnishings. Nevertheless the most impressive is the garden of sculptures and magnificent view of the capital.

CATHERINE HILL

Catherine Church – Katarina kyrka – located on the Catherine Hill – a special place in the history of Sweden. The hill is often considered cursed. Bodies of victims of so-called Stockholm bloodbath were burned at the stake here. This incident was a ‘creation’ of the king of Denmark – Christian II and the Archbishop of Uppsala – Gustav Trolle. Christian II after his accession to the Danish throne wanted also to accede to the Swedish throne and this way maintain an unstable Union of Three Crowns concluded in Kalmar. Battles between Denmark and Sweden started in 1518. The scales of victory was tipping in favour from one side to another. Finally, as a result of advantageous negotiations for the Swedes, capital of Sweden capitulated. Christian II had promised an amnesty for the defenders of Stockholm. Nevertheless, the royal promise had been broken soon. Christian II sentenced to death nearly 100 people due to help of amenable Archbishop of Uppsala who had accused potential opponents of heresy. Eventually, the things did not go Christian’s way. Soon, the uprising broke out in the province of Dalarna in 1521. Consequently, Gustav Vasa was hailed as King of Sweden, and the Kalmar Union was finally ended.

According to the legend, the church tower was to be destroyed twice, what in fact had happened.

KATARINAHISSEN

Katarinahissen – the Catharine Lift is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Södermalm district. It was built in 1881 to make the reaching to the Catharine Hill easier and more comfortable for pedestrians. The present lift dates back to 1936.

SKOGSKYRKOGÅRDEN – THE WOODLAND CEMETERY

The authors of the project of Skogskyrkogården – the Woodland Cemetery are Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz. The cemetery was founded between 1917 and 1920. The architecture, forest, landscape, forming of the cemetery was joined to make it a dignified place to rest for the dead. The whole idea is considered one of the greatest achievements of modern architecture and is unique in the world. It is also a monument of outstanding value for Swedish national culture. The cemetery has been UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

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