Gamla stan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gamla stan is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. It consists mainly of the island Stadsholmen, but also includes Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen. Gamla stan is referred to as the "town between the bridges".
The town dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. North German architecture has had a strong influence in the Old Town's construction.
Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the centre of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchant's houses including the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building. The square was the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath, where Swedish noblemen were massacred by the Danish King Christian II in November, 1520. The following revolt and civil war led to the dissolution of the Kalmar Union and the subsequent election of King Gustav I.
As well as being home to the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, and the Riddarholm church (Riddarholmskyrkan), Gamla stan also boasts Kungliga slottet, Sweden's baroque Royal Palace, built in the 18th century after the previous palace burned down. Gamla stan also hosts a restaurant at the street Österlånggatan known to be the oldest in the world with the same surroundings and environment, see the Guinness Book of Records, called Den gyldene freden. It's been running it's bussines since 1722.
A statue of St. George and the Dragon (sculpted by Bernt Notke) can be found in the Stockholm Cathedral, while Riddarholmskyrkan is the royal burial church.
Ball Court Garden is a small courtyard in Gamla stan which is home to Stockholm's smallest statue, a little boy.
Until recently, Gamla stan was considered a slum, many of its historical buildings left in disrepair. From the 1980s, however, it has become a tourist attraction as the charm of its medieval and Renaissance architecture have been valued by later generations.
There is also a metro station in Gamla Stan with the same name.
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Line 13: Norsborg - Ropsten |
Line 14: Fruängen - Mörby centrum |
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