Stockholm City Hall


The Stockholm City Hall is the main attraction and symbol of the Swedish capital - Stockholm . This building in the Art Nouveau style is a real masterpiece of architecture of the 20th century. Only after visiting this place, you can understand how unique it is.

Historical reference

The decision to build the City Hall in Stockholm was taken in 1907. A competition was announced for the best architects of the country, Ragnar Estberg won it. Construction was completed in 1923. Initially, the building was supposed to serve as a meeting place for the municipal council of the city, but the exquisite decoration of the halls changed this decision. This place hosts the most important events in the life of Swedish society, such as:

Architecture

The Town Hall, more than 100 meters high, is an architectural structure reflecting the famous Swedish Romanticism. Outside, you will see a reserved facade made of red brick, inside the visitors there is a real palace with exquisite interiors. The rectangular construction of the town hall is crowned by a tower at 106 m, on which there is an observation platform with a wonderful panorama of Stockholm. To see it, you have to overcome 365 steps.

What to see?

Several halls were united under the arches of the town hall, each of them is unique in its style and purpose:

  1. The Blue Hall is the largest. In fact, it is made in red, and not in blue. Ragnar Estberg liked the look of the brick wall so much that he changed his mind about painting the walls. The architect did not limit his imagination, because the room turned out with an Italian accent. Even columns are unique: none is like the other. Asymmetry is the main idea of ​​the hall. There are held banquets, timed to the awarding of the Nobel Prize. Capacity - 1300 guests.
  2. The Golden Hall is the most luxurious. Under his arches is a ball in honor of the Nobel Prize winners. Here the Byzantine style dominates, and the walls are covered with a mosaic covered with gold. In the center hangs a picture with the image of the queen of Lake Mälaren , on the banks of which stands Stockholm.
  3. The City Hall is intended for holding meetings. According to the architect, the ceiling is an inverted Viking ship. It was under the ships, according to the legends, that they held their secret meetings. But this is not all: the boat has no bottom, through it you can see the sky. So the chief architect hinted to the deputies that laws should be adopted without sitting up late.
  4. An honorary entrance to the Stockholm City Hall is the Hall of the Hundred. Here, guests are welcomed and escorted to the banquet hall. In the Swedish parliament, 100 deputies sit, of which the same segments are the ceiling of the hall.
  5. The Prince's Gallery is the most exquisite hall. The windows overlook the lake of Mälaren, and on the opposite wall there is a reflection of the landscape seen from the window. The painting itself was written by Prince Eugene, the fourth son of the royal couple. He was a talented artist, and the flowering of his work coincided with the construction of the town hall. Today in the hall there are official receptions.
  6. The oval office is decorated with floral French tapestries and serves an important purpose - strengthening the institution of the family. On Saturdays, marriages are held here.

The outer territory of the town hall impresses tourists and visitors of the city no less than the interior decoration. The most interesting places are:

  1. The sculpture of St. George the Victorious killing a snake is a symbol of Denmark's longstanding struggle with Sweden . This sculpture is located on the facade of the tower and is made of bronze with gilding. In the photo below in the wall of the Town Hall you can see the princess in confinement, symbolizing Stockholm, which was subsequently released from the control of the Danes.
  2. Sarfaghar Jarl Birger , the founder of Stockholm, is at the foot of the eastern part.
  3. The famous restaurant "In the basement of the town hall" , where you can eat dishes from the menu of the Nobel dinner. The entrance is decorated with a bronze sculpture "Bacchus on a Lion".
  4. The bust of the architect - Ragnar Estberg - is set opposite the entrance to the town hall.

Interesting Facts

Ragnar Estberg combined incompatible styles for architecture. Therefore, the Stockholm City Hall is the only one of its kind. Tourists are always surprised by the following facts :

Features of visit

Visit the town hall is possible only as part of an excursion of 30-40 people. There is a special schedule of work:

Excursions with a guide:

You can buy tickets at the souvenir shop (at the entrance on the right). The cost of tickets depends on the age of the visitor and is (from November to March and April to October, respectively):

How to get there?

The Stockholm City Hall is located on the arrow of Kungsholmen Island . There are several options to get there: