Nordic Beauty
So far, more likely travelling and living in southern European cities and regions like Italy, Spain and France, I have been tempted to visit the Swedish metropolis Stockholm for some time. After having spent last Christmas there, I had to come back this early summer, already addicted to this town’s incredible lifestyle.
Sweden’s cosmopolitan capital unites a breathtaking nature, a fascinating history, cultural state-of-the-art, modern architecture and the dynamics of a pulsating metropolis. Considered a global city, it represents the country’s cultural, political and economic center as well as the largest urban area in Scandinavia.
A city map made by nature
It was nature that ‘designed’ Stockholm’s town plan over centuries. Located on the east coast of Sweden, its capital stretches across fourteen islands of a large archipelago in the Baltic sea which are connected by more than fifty bridges. Over 30 percent of the city itself is made up of waterways.
Central squares at the water side, such as the one in front of the royal palace, offer wonderful views of the surrounding parts and islands of the town. From here you can explore the city by land or water.
Stockholm’s individual districts – Gamla Stan, Skeppsholmen, Blasieholmen, Kungsholmen, Norrmalm, Södermalm, Vasastan, Östermalm and Djurgarden – are partly or even completely separated by the water. They can be reached via often beautifully designed bridges, their attractions can thus be discovered on long, relaxing walks.
Some beautiful places are better arrived by ferry or pleasure boat. And such a trip on the water conveys wonderful impressions that you might like to capture in photos or a video.
Highlights of contrast I: History and tradition
Gamla Stan is the area where the city of Stockholm was founded in the 13th century and from which it expanded over the years. The charming medieval old town offers many ‘fairy-tale’ architectural sights, most notably the royal palace, Kungliga Slottet.
Whether from the water front – of course especially at the dawn of a beautiful summer evening – or from the mainland: Its architecture is imposing and overwhelming.
The palace was built between 1697 and 1754, in the styles of Baroque, Rococo and Gustavian Classicism. Thus the building does not only impresses from the outside, but also with its courtyards. Even the daily changing of the royal guard, which has guarded the castle since 1523 and is a part of the Swedish army, is worth seeing.
Kungliga Slottet counts over 600 state rooms. It is one of the largest castles in Europe which is still used from the royal family for representative and ceremonial purposes. In the Bernadotte Rooms, for example, the Swedish king receives dignitaries. The gallery of Karl XI is the backdrop for state banquets.
The interior reminds of the style of an Italian palace. Beautiful tapestries, impressive stucco works and chandeliers fascinate.
A walk towards the district of Norrmalm passes by the Swedish parlament, called Riksdagshuset, on the peninsula Helgeandsholmen.
From its rear the path leads past magnificient gates, facades and fountains. A rich, historical place.
Highlights of contrast II: The city – a modern hub
And on the other hand the design-savvy Stockholm with its modern architecture and especially museums, like hardly in any other European capital.
In a former industrial brick building in Art Nouveau style, directly on the water, you experience the museum Fotografiska. Opened as a center for contemporary photography, it features impressive exhibitions all the year round. The exhibitions I had the pleasure to see where those of Bruce Gilden, a legend in street photography, Josèfa Ntjam and her world of metamorphosis, and Mikael Owunna and his visual addiction to cosmologies.
On the city island Skeppsholmen located, you find the Moderna Museet, Stockholms museum of modern art. Its collection of 20th-century art is considered one of the best of its kind worldwide.
The portfolio ist constantly being expanded with contemporary works of Swedish and international artists. This year the museum exhibits works of Katalin Ladik, a pioneer of experimental sound, photography and performance art. And a presentation of two artists from different generations, Nicole Eisenmann and Edith Hammer, united by their approach to the body and society as expressed in powerful figuration.
Bruce Gilden Mikael Owunna Josèfa Ntjam Katalin Ladik Nicole Eisenman & Elisabeth Hammar
At any season, at any daytime
Sweden’s capital impresses at every time of the year. So in summer the city shines with particular intensity and radiates a special joie de vivre.
Stockholm is located near the Arctic Circle; therefore, in summer, it experiences the midnight sun. The days are endless, there is no darkness at night. This hours’ charm is incredibly beautiful.
A completely different atmosphere can be experienced in Stockholm in winter. Then it is only light there for six hours a day, around two the dusk is already starting to set in, an hour later it is dark. Then hundreds of lights shine in the streets and windows.
I have always loved driving through a city at night. Therefore I would like to end our little trip to this fascinating metropolis with impressions from a winter boat tour through the nightly Stockholm.
A completely different atmosphere can be experienced in Stockholm in winter. Then it is only light there for six hours a day, around two the dusk is already starting to set in, an hour later it is dark. Then hundreds of lights shine in the streets and windows.
I have always loved driving through a city at night. Therefore I would like to end our little trip to this fascinating metropolis with impressions from a winter boat tour through the nightly Stockholm.
