This was part of A day in Stockholm 🇸🇪 🔗.
We started the Free Tour Old Town by walking to Helvetesgränd (Alley of Hell). This narrow passage at the northern end of Prästgatan earned its grim name because it was historically the neighborhood of the city’s executioner. We then visited S:ta Gertrud, also known as the Tyska kyrkan (German Church). Nearby, we saw the Yngling bestiger häst (Youth Mounting a Horse), a graceful bronze statue that adds a touch of classicism to the medieval streets.
Next was Järntorget (The Iron Square), once the city’s most important commercial hub where iron was weighed and traded. Here, we found the statue of Evert Taube, a beloved Swedish troubadour, standing near the spot where he often frequented the local taverns.
On our way to the next landmark, we passed Den Gyldene Freden. Established in 1722, it is famously known as the second oldest restaurant in the world to maintain its original surroundings and remains a favorite meeting place for the Swedish Academy.
We soon reached the bronze St. George and the Dragon monument. This iconic statue commemorates the Battle of Brunkeberg and serves as a powerful allegory of Swedish bravery protecting the “maiden” (Stockholm) from the “dragon” (foreign invaders).
We then headed to Slottsbacken to view the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet), a massive Baroque masterpiece containing over 600 rooms. Adjacent to the palace stands Storkyrkan, the Great Church of Stockholm, which has been the site of royal coronations and weddings since the 14th century.
The last stop was Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm and the site of the infamous Stockholm Bloodbath. Today, it is much more peaceful, home to the Nobel Prize Museum and the colorful Schantzska and Ribbinska houses, which are among the most photographed buildings in Sweden.
The last stop was Stortorget in Gamla Stan, where we saw the Nobel Museum and Ribbinska Huset.
👣 Free Tour Old Town