Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a progressive city. Set at teh point where the waters of Malaren (Lake Malar) rush into the Baltic sea, stockholm is one of Europ's most beautiful capitals. Nearly 1.5 million people live in the greater Stockholm area, yet it remains a quiet, almost pastoral city. Built on 14 small islands among open bays and narrow channels, the city is handsome and civilized. it is filled with parks that cover nearly a third of the enitre city, and with squares and airy boulevards, yet it's also a bustling metropolis. Glass and steel skyscrapers about but you are never more then five minutes walk from twistin medieval streets and waterside promenades.
The city enjoys a bustling street life with a high density of restraunts, a thriving cafe society and free entertainment in parks and gardens that contribute to an exciting and colorful outdoor life in teh summer. Stockholm is also rich in cultrual acitivies, with a wide selection of museums, theaters, art galleries and churches.
Gamla Stan, situated on the island of Stadsholmen, is Stockholm's old medieval town taht emerged in the 13th cenutry. Gamala Stan is home to the present Royal Palace, where apartments and an amory offer an excellent insight into the past. A ceremonial changing of the guard takes place at noon on weeekdays. The Royal Palace is one of the largest inhabited royal castles in teh world. it contains 680 rooms and is still in use. It is recommened to wander though the many museums that are located within the palace. There are teh Royal Apartments, the Royal Amoury, the Royal Treasury and theMuseum of Antiquities. The oldest city wall (1250), a simple stone wall which gave teh city its characteristic shaped of a heart, can also be seen there.
Stortoget is Stockholm's oldest center. This great square, on the highest point of the island, was a noisy place of trade in medieval times and was the place of execution. it was teh site of a most dreadful event, teh stockholm Bloodbath, when about 90 people were beheaded or hanged. The large building, in late rococo style, is the stock exchange and is also where the members of the Swedish Acadmey meet. The Academy was founded in 1786 and it's from there taht the name of the Novel Prize Laureate for Literature is revealed to teh international press. Riddarholm church is one of the lodest buildings in Stockholdm. Now a museum, it ranks as one of the best-preserved Franciscan bhurches in northern Europe. This former church is located on teh island of Riddarholmen and is home to the armorial glory of the Serafim Knightly Order.
East of the city, the larger island of Djurgarden offers wonderful parklans and a concentration of fine museumes. On the western shore of Djurgarden is teh famous Vasamuseet, which grants you a look into the lives of 17th-century sailors and is a brilliant achievement in marine archaeology. Stork Yrkan located in teh oldest quater in teh city, this cathedral was built in 1279. it is used for royal weddings, baptisms and coronations, and can be visited by the public. |
