What You Will Do
Join me on a guided tour of Gamla Stan - Stockholm's old town. Let's dive into the labyrinth of streets in the middle of Stockholm. Let's talk about past and present, rulers and ruled, architecture and adventure.
After the last ice age, an island rose out of the water on which this city was built, strategically located on the threshold between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren. From here people went to war, built up a great power and traded. Hear about the influence of the German merchants who were based in Stockholm. Learn about the king who advanced the city's cultural life and was later assassinated in the opera house he built. And who was this Gustav Vasa? And especially important on a city tour of Gamla Stan: will Queen Silvia invite us to the castle for a coffee?
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
on the bank diagonally opposite the castle at the statue of King Gustav III.
1
The Royal Palace
10 minutes
At the Royal Castle, the guide will not only explain the building itself to you, but you will also learn everything you need to know about the royal family. We also look at the surroundings of the castle and you will also receive introductory information about the old town.
2
Skeppsbron
3 minutes
See the stately homes built by merchants from the 17th century who had both their residence and offices here.
3
St George and the Dragon Statue
6 minutes
Here we stop at an allegorical sculpture depicting Saint George slaying the dragon. Starting from the background story of the sculpture, Sweden's turbulent, often warlike, past can be well illuminated. We talk about Sweden's great power era and who Sweden's opponents were.
4
Stortorget
10 minutes
The central square in the heart of the old town with colorful buildings mostly from the 17th century. The Stockholm bloodbath took place here more than 500 years ago. The former stock exchange building, which now houses the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Prize Museum, is also on the square.
5
Storkyrkan
2 minutes
We pass Storkyrkan (the Great Church), Stockholm's cathedral church, which is now used for royal weddings, among other things.
6
Prästgatan
4 minutes
This is where Prästgatan ends as a dark cul-de-sac. For centuries this corner had a bad reputation, probably not least because the executioner lived here.
7
Riddarhustorget
5 minutes
When we stop at Riddarhustorget we can see the nearby island of Riddarholmen. There we see former noble palaces and Riddarholmskyrkan, Stockholm's oldest surviving building above ground.
8
Vasterlanggatan
3 minutes
Here the guide will show you a building where the changes that have taken place over the centuries are clearly visible. In addition to medieval elements, you will see traces from the 18th and 19th centuries.
9
Kåkbrinken
4 minutes
Here you will be explained why there are cannon barrels on many street corners in the old town. You can also see a rune stone built into the facade.
10
Prastgatan
4 minutes
We are now in a different part of Prästgatan. Although the buildings the guide shows you date from the 17th and 18th centuries, they can still give you an indication of what Stockholm looked like in the Middle Ages.
11
Saint Gertrude, German Church
8 minutes
Tyska kyrkan (the German Church) was built soon after the Reformation and still serves as a place for German-language services. At this point it makes sense to talk about the German influence in Stockholm's history. If you are interested, the guide will also be happy to tell you how Sweden became Protestant and how Sweden feels about religion today.
12
Marten Trotzigs grand
3 minutes
We walk through Stockholm's narrowest street, which is only 90 cm wide at its narrowest point.
13
Vasterlanggatan
3 minutes
The guide will show you a 17th-century city palace built in the Dutch Renaissance style.
14
Norra Bankogränd
5 minutes
In this alley we stand between buildings that were once used by the Reichsbank. A distorted window shows that the building has partially subsided. A fitting place to talk about artificial landfill and postglacial land uplift.
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