The Old Town
This is where it all started 750 years ago - on the small Old Town Island, barely 500 meters in diameter. A great place for a leisurely walk. 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 Nobilty. Other sights include the 16th century German Church, the Nobel Museum and the Royal Coin Cabinet.
Stockholm has not been involved in any war since 1520, so there has been no destruction by wars. The streets still follow the medieval layout, but numerous buildings have been added, re-built or extended, particularly in the 17th century when Sweden was one of Europe's major military powers and the centre of a vast empire that encompassed the whole of the Baltic Sea coastline. Most historic buildings date from that time, so Stockholm's Old Town has a distinct 17th century look and feel.
If you follow the two semi-circular shopping streets Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan, you will walk the route that once went along the medieval city-wall. They connect at Järntorget (The Iron Market), once the world's #1 place for re-loading of iron, mined in central Sweden. On the square is also the old building for the Bank of Sweden, where the world's first bank-notes were printed.
Don't miss the interesting alleys that cross these streets. There is lots to explore here. Köpmangatan runs between the Great Market and Österlånggatan and is lined with antique shops.
Adjacent to the Old Town are two other small islands. To the west Riddarholmen ( The Island of Knights) with the Riddarholmen church from the 1280ies and to the north Helgeandsholmen (The Island of the Holy Spirit) with the Parliament building.
The Great Market of the Old Town (Gamla Stan). The first floor of the buildings shown here are medieval, the upper floors added in the 17th century. Photo: SIS
