Gamla Stan / The Old Town is the oldest part of Stockholm, one of the biggest and the best preserved old European cities. It was in this very place in 1252 that the city of Stockholm was founded. The whole Gamla Stan resembles a lively pedestrian museum that abounds with sights, various attractions, restaurants and cafés, interesting bars and souvenir shops and shopping corners.
Gamla Stan is popular among aficionados of handicrafts and various hand-made souvenirs. The streets in this area are narrow, winding, and the cobblestone pavement gives this place a romantic tone which everybody should experience. Under visible facades, frescos from the Middle Ages can be found, as well as basement vaults. At any time of the year, this place is quite romantic, but maybe it is the most romantic when it snows. There are a few beautiful churches, museums as well as the Stockholm’s Cathedral and the Nobel Prize Museum. The greatest attraction here for sure is the Royal Palace, one of the greatest palaces in the world with more than 600 rooms. There are interesting museums in the palace, such as the royal armory, royal suits and suits of armor. You should not miss the soldiers’ parade and daily guard shift.
Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan are the main streets of the Gamla Stan county. In the middle of the county there is the oldest square in Stockholm, Marten Trotzigs is the longest street in Gamla Stan, which is only 90 centimeters wide in its narrowest point. *You should also not forget to visit the Franciscan monastery for the so-called Greyfriars, built in the13th century. On the main square of this quart there was a mass execution in the 15th century following an uprising. The story says that the number of white stones on the red building’s façade corresponds to the number of the dead.
Author of the article:
Maja Glavaš, tour guide for Montenegro
Contact: [email protected]; instagram: travel_europe1
