Gamla Stan (Cidade Velha de Estocolmo)

Gamla Stan, the colorful and lively Old Town of the Swedish metropolis, is located exactly on three islands: Stadsholmen, which is often referred to as Gamla Stan, Helgeandsholmen and Riddarholmen. Already in earliest time already existed here a fortress-like plant, which served for the control of the Mälaren Baltic passage. Of a settlement, however, was far from the question. Only from 1252 Stockholm was first mentioned in documents under the government of Birger Jarls. But from that point on, Stockholm's development as the capital of Sweden progressed incessantly, until it established itself permanently in medieval Europe with its reputation as a metropolis. The resident merchants and the Hanseatic League did the rest to increase Stockholm's influence and prosperity. This development was inhibited by the devastating fire in 1625; Nearly all wooden buildings in the old town fell victim to the fire.But this misfortune did not bring Stockholm from its way to the trading metropolis. The most impressive buildings in the historic city center include the Royal Palace, the Reichstag building and the two churches of Storkyrkan and Tyska Kyrkan. The picturesque and at the same time magnificent old town of Stockholm is not only popular with the inhabitants of Sweden's capital - every day countless tourists are passed through this beautiful quarter; Buses spew out their human cargo, which rush with drawn cameras on the sights of Gamla Stan. Those who want to avoid these crowds, however, have to relocate their old town stroll early in the morning, as long as the tourists still sit in the hotel at breakfast. If you can not do this, you can try to avoid the side streets. In the Prästgatan it is quite possible to discover a quiet spot where one can contemplate the unique medieval mood of the Gamla Stan.

Anyone coming to Stockholm for the first time should visit Gamla Stan in any case. Gamla Stan is, so to speak, the original cell of Stockholm. From here, the city spread. Today, Gamla Stan connects the northern district of Norrmalm with the southern district of Södermalm (to which Gamla Stan belongs administratively). By the way, the island on which Gamla Stan is located is called "Stadsholmen", even though the name is rarely mentioned in road maps.

On the small and lively island of Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm has cobbled streets and buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Sights include the medieval-style St. Nikolai kyrka and the Stockholm Palace, the official residence of the king.