Tyska Kyrkan and other Stockholm, Sweden Things to Do Tips

Tyska Kyrkan (the German church) is a symbol of the great influence that German merchants had on Stockholm back in the 16th century. At that time the Hanseatic League controlled trades at the Baltic Sea and many Germans settled down at Stockholm. That is also the reason why the urban development and the architectural structure of Gamla Stan (Stockholm's Old Town) is similar to the Northern German town of Lübeck.
Though Germany's political influence faded after the "Stockholm Bloodbath" and Gustav Wasa coming into power in 1523, the cultural and economic influence remained unbroken. The German parish was established in 1571. Tyska Kyrkan was built between 1638-1642 as an extension of a former, smaller church. In 1672 the interior in the style of late German Renaissance and Baroque was enhanced by a gallery for the German members of the royalty. The pulpit made of ebony and alabaster is a masterpiece without equals in Sweden.

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Phone: +46 8 411 11 88
Address: Svartmangatan 16, Stockholm
Directions: Gamla Stan (Old Town)
Busses that will take you there are: Nr. 2, 3, 43, 53, 55, 59 & 76
Website: www.visit-stockholm.com
Other Contact: www.gamla-stan-stockholm.se/tysk

Stockholm's 700 years old cathedral has been of prime importance to the Swedish state church. Storkyrkan served as a base of the reformer Olaus Petri (1493 - 1552) who spread the Lutheran message throughout Sweden. And, up to the present day, all important royal ceremonies are held at the cathedral.
In 13th century the first small church was built at this spot. In 1306 it was replaced by the bigger Nikolaus basilica, which repeatedly was extended and modified during the upcoming centuries. In 15th century the inner rooms were embellished in the style of the Gothic period. The cathedral houses several works of art of unestimable cultural value. One of the most splendid late Gothic sculptures of Northern Europe can be found right left of the altar. This magnificent feat of the German sculptor Bernt Notke was created in 1489 and shows St. George and the Dragon. The sculpture was made of oak and elk's antlers to honour Sten Sture who, in 1471, prevailed over the Danes. Another one of the cathedral's treasures is the 3,70 metres bronze candlestick, also of German origin, which decorates Storkyrkan for more than 600 years now. Close to the exit you will find an interesting medieval painting showing the light phenomenon observed above Stockholm in the 16th century - 6 glittering sun rings appeared in the sky over the city at April 20th 1535. The above mentioned painting of this occurence also shows the oldest preserved view of the Swedish capital.

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Phone: +46 (0)8 7233016
Address: Trångsund 1, 111 29 Stockholm
Directions: Gamla Stan
Take bus Nr. 2, 43, 46, 55, 59 or 76
Website: http://www.stockholmsdomkyrkoforsamling.se/page.php?p=421
Other Contact: http://www.stockholmtown.com/tem

At the site of today's Kungsträdgården there used to be a small chapel in the Middle Ages. This early church was devoted to the patron saint of travellers: St. Jacob. The building was destroyed in 16th century by order of King Gustav I. Wasa. Thereon, in 1580, 2 new churches were built in the district of Norra Malmen: Jacobs Kyrka and Klara Kyrka.
Jacobs Kyrka got sanctified in 1643 and parts of the interior still date back to this time. Throughout the centuries the church got restored several times and beautiful portals were added, for example.
The extraordinary crimson facade of Jacobs Kyrka simply looked magnificent by contrast with the blue sky on this beautiful morning in Stockholm.
Open Monday-Saturday between 11:00 - 21:00. Sundays between 09:00 - 21:00. Concerts take place on Saturdays at 15:00.

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Phone: +46 (0)8 7 23 30 38
Address: Västra Trädgårdsgatan 2, 111 53 Stockholm
Directions: Norrmalm, right between Kungsträdgården and Kungliga Operan (Royal Opera).
Take bus Nr. 2, 55, 59, 62, 65 or 76. Subway stop: Kungsträdgården
Website: http://www.stockholmsdomkyrkoforsamling.se/page.php?p=421
Other Contact: http://www.stockholmtown.com/tem

Historiska Museet (the Museum of National Antiquities) is a MUST for everyone who's "hooked on heritage" (like I am). The museum actually was one of the main reasons for me to visit Stockholm. :) It's an amazingly fascinating place and I enjoyed every minute. They've got several permanent exhibitions, all housing unique historical treasures. If you want to learn more about how people lived in the Stone Age, the Bronze Age or the Iron Age you'll have to visit the Prehistories exhibition. There are plenty of interesting findings from these times, like: jewellery, grave goods, ritual objects, weapons, etc. There also is a Medieval Ecclesiastical Art exhibition showing ancient altarpieces, missals, relics, altar crosses and even the reconstruction of a Middle Ages rural church. But for me the most fascinating departments were the Viking exhibition and the Gold Room. There are lots of rune stones, weapons, toys, grave goods (even the skeleton of a horse), jewellery, imported goods like, for example, a little Buddha figure, boats, etc. The museum's most precious exhibits are safely kept at the subterranean Gold Room - a circular hall full of unique goldsmith's work or art. Unfortunately taking pictures is not allowed at this part of the museum.
We found all the exhibitions being extremely fascinating, you get to learn lots but it never feels like a stuffy, dry history lesson. It's more like a little adventure, like travelling back in time and I'd love to go there again. Soon. ;)

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Phone: +46(0)8-519 556 00
Address: Narvavägen 13–17, 114 84 Stockholm
Directions: Östermalm. Take buses Nr. 44 and 56 to Historiska Museet or buses Nr. 47, 69, 76 to Djurgårdsbron.
Underground to Karlaplan or Östermalmstorg.
Website: http://www.historiska.se/home
Other Contact: info@historiska.se

On August 10th 1628, the day of its maiden voyage, the Royal warship Vasa sank after sailing only 1.300 metres, she did not even manage to leave the harbour of Stockholm. On calm sea the pride of the naval power Sweden sank due to the immense weight of the decoration and basic constructional faults (it was, for example, built top-heavy which led to massive instability). Despite all these apparent defects Vasa was allowed to set sail and so the catastrophe ran its course and 50 people were doomed to die. When Vasa was built, by order of king Gustav II Adolf, she was meant to express the dominance of Sweden at the Baltic Sea. She was one of the largest and most heavily armed warships of her time and neither trouble nor expense was spared to equip and decorate her. Obviously that mark was overshot!

After 333 years at the bottom of Stockholms Ström, Vasa was finally salvaged by a group of marine archaeologists. And after almost 17 years of restauration, the ship was 1st brought to a temporary museum (Wasavarvet) before it was relocated to Vasa Museum wher today it can be admired. It is not possible to enter the ship, but the museum's 6 levels allow in-depth exploration of this impressive wreck. Parts of the ship (like the cannon deck) were also recreated (to give an impression of the ship's size and the on-board conditions) and can be visited. Vasa museet also houses various exhibits related to the archaeological findings of the ship and early 17th century Sweden. According to claims on the official web site, it is the most visited museum of Scandinavia.

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Phone: +46 (0)8 51 95 48 00
Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, Stockholm
Directions: At the island of Djurgården. Buses Nr. 47 and 69 leave from the Central Station, bus Nr. 44 from Karlaplan. You can also take tram Nr. 7 or go by Djurgårdens ferry (leaving from Slussen all year round and also from Nybroplan in Summer).
Website: www.vasamuseet.se