About Stockholm
STOCKHOLM, the capital of Sweden, is today an international metropolis and considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
A gulf of the Baltic Sea encloses the city in the east with numerous bays and promontories as well as about 24,000 larger and smaller islands (archipelago). This area is called Skärgården.
Because 30% of the city of Stockholm exists of water ways and another 30?% of parks and green areas, Stockholm probably has the greenest lungs of all European capitals, making maritime life an important aspect of the city.
Since the 13th century the Swedish capital has developed from a fishing village on the island Stadsholmen to a far spread metropolis. Built on 14 islands, Stockholm owns one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval city centres. In particular the original Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its historical streets and centuries old buildings, bars, hotels, restaurants and shops is perceived as one of Stockholm’s highlights.
The streets still follow the medieval layout which are ideal for leisurely walks. Several of the city’s major sights are here too – the Royal Palace with the Crown Jewel Exhibition, the Royal Armoury and the Tre Kronor Museum, the Cathedral from the mid-13th century and the House of Nobility.
The royal palace was established between 1690 and 1750 and belongs to the most remarkable baroque buildings of Scandinavia. It stands on the foundation of castle Tre Kronor (three crowns) which was built in the middle of the 13th century and destroyed in 1697 in a fire. With 608 rooms the royal palace is the biggest inhabited palace from a head of a state (King Carl XVI Gustav) worldwide.
The City Hall of Stockholm is a living symbol of the city, a building buzzing with activities in addition to the annual Nobel Banquet. This architecturally renowned edifice is the venue for important political debate, a busy workplace, a magnificent banqueting hall and one of Sweden’s best known tourist attractions. Its 106 metre high tower also makes it a distinctive landmark in the capital.