Stockholm: wow, old swede!
When you step up to a ticket counter in Germany, you politely say “Guten Tag”. Or you dare a casual “hello”. In Stockholm, on the other hand, you are greeted with a cheerful “Hej”!“ greeted and illuminated as if you had won the lottery. As a German, you have to make a bit of an effort to understand the “Hej”!“ to be able to give back just as cheerfully. We Germans are simply not used to so much joie de vivre.
Stockholm: water, nature and beautiful architecture
T he area of the Swedish capital is one-third sea, one-third nature and one-third buildings. A beautiful mix, of which not a few are envious. The city on the water is particularly charming. High, stately houses of wealthy citizens and the gleaming white ships in the harbor conjure up a picturesque backdrop. Also the Ekoparken exudes a unique atmosphere, the 27 square meter national park in the middle of the city center. The city rests on 14 islands and has over 50 bridges. Its center is arranged in a checkerboard pattern and is so compact that it can be reached on foot can explore.
Stockholm: first environmental capital of Europe
The air is good. Sweden’s capital was named Europe’s first green environmental capital in 2010. But the weather is quite capricious. Clouds are nothing out of the ordinary. Two million inhabitants appreciate the high quality of life and the relaxed, calm atmosphere. But there are also problems. This can be seen, for example, in the people who have to sleep on the streets at night. If you walk through the city center in the evening, you see a frightening number of them.
Stockholm and its sights
Sight 1: the Vasa Museum in Stockholm
The Vasa was a warship used in the Thirty Years War (1618- 1648) should be used. King Gustav II. Adolf from the Wasa family (yes, with a “W”) wanted to use the ship to put Poland in its place. And so a giant ship was built: 69 meters long and 53 meters high. Equipped with 63 cannons, 300 soldiers, 145 sailors and 500 frightening, brightly painted wooden figures representing monsters and Swedish heroes. In 1628, the time had come: the vase set sail. After only a few hundred meters, a gust of wind tilted it dangerously far to the side. But the ship righted itself again. In a second squall, however, the ship tilted so far to one side that water could enter through the gun ports. That was it. The proud warship went down. About 50 people died in the tragedy. And it wasn’t cannonballs that sank the flagship of the Swedish fleet, but a design flaw.
333 years later, in 1961, the ship was salvaged, restored and displayed in its own museum. Three floors were built around the vase. An imposing appearance, which one must have seen. The museum is impressive even before you enter it: its architecture, with three masts, is reminiscent of a ship. A great place.
Sight 2: the Moderna Museet
uSurprise: I learn in the museum that I am not allowed to photograph the works with my Nikon camera, but with my iPhone I can. Interesting. Why is that so, I inquire. The museum employee shrugs apologetically, he knows it also not. – Interesting.
Armed with my iPhone I go into the exhibition. Works by Katharina Fritsch, Jeff Koons and Charles Ray are gathered in a large hall. It is wonderful.
The exhibitions change, but a visit to the Moderna Museet is always a good idea. And who knows: Maybe one day you will be allowed to take photos with a big camera again.
Sight 3: the af Chapman
Probably the only guesthouse that is a sailing ship: It is anchored on the island of Skeppsholmen. ubrigens only a few minutes away from the Moderna Museet. The af Chapman used to be a cargo ship, later a training ship. Since 1983 it is a youth hostel. Clean, tidy, with bunk beds and a great view of the old town. This is really wow! More information and a booking function is available Tip: Book as early as possible.
Probably the only guesthouse that is a sailing ship: The af Chapman is anchored on the island of Skeppsholmen. ubrigens only a few minutes away from the Moderna Museet. In former times the af Chapman was a cargo ship, later a training ship. Since 1983 it is a youth hostel. Clean, tidy, with bunk beds and a great view of the Old Town. This is really wow! More information and a booking function can be found here. Tip: Book as early as possible.
Sight 4: the ABBA Museum
This is the hit: In the ABBA exhibition there is the “ring-ring-phone”, on which the (real!) Call band members of ABBA from time to time and talk to visitors. Great idea. And one more good reason to visit the ABBA Museum. The exhibition includes countless golden records of the band as well as original costumes and backdrops. Funny: You can sing karaoke with ABBA. A wow museum with a high fun factor. Address: Djurgardsvagen 68, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden. ÖOpening hours: daily. Go to the website here: ABBA Museum Stockholm.
Sight 5: the heart of Sweden
Geographically and politically the heart of Sweden beats here: in the parliament, beautifully located, surrounded by water. Close by: the Nobelmuseet, Stockholm Castle and many other attractions. So: definitely stop by.