Regularly referred to as the Venice of the North, Stockholm is built on several islands, 14 to be precise, scattered between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea. With its 1.3 million inhabitants, it is both Sweden's largest metropolis and its capital. As well known for its harsh sunless winters and endless summers as for its status as a green city, it is also often cited as an example of equality and human rights, and its cultural influence, particularly in Europe, is considerable.
Stockholm Syndrome is defined as "the creation of a bond of attachment, or even love, between a victim and his attacker, developed unconsciously". Taken from a news item about a bank robbery in the capital, the phenomenon has made the name Stockholm famous in everyday language.
But the capital is far from limited to this victimised image. Its reputation is based above all on its ambivalent character: at once steeped in tradition and open to the world, the city is as calm and organised as it is energetic and avant-garde, alternating between nature and urbanism.
Between modernity and tradition
Situated on a fabulous natural site, an archipelago of nearly twenty-four thousand islands and islets, Stockholm is a fairytale city of palaces, churches and houses set on the water. This is where the government is based and where the head of state, King Carl XVI Gustav, resides, more precisely in the historic district of Gamla Stan, founded in the 13th century on the island of Stadshomen. The winding streets of the old town will take you to Stortorget square and the monumental royal palace, via the House of the Nobility, formerly the House of the Estates General and now a private institution for the Swedish nobility.
Fervent supporters of royalty, the people of Stockholm are nonetheless progressive and innovative. This is reflected in their taste for art and design. For lovers of interior design and architecture, head for Norrmalm, the city's nerve centre where you'll find the central station and its ultra-modern train, innovative restaurants and numerous design galleries. The districts of Södermalm and Östermalm are not to be outdone, while the Hammarby eco-neighbourhood is a perfect example of Swedish urban planning. To get there, simply take one of the city's 53 bridges! A synthesis of classicism and modernity, the Stockholm City Library is the quintessential paradigm of the metropolis. You'll find it as you walk through the streets of the Vasastan district.
History and culture
Founded by Birger Jarl to protect the country from invasion and pillage, Stockholm quickly established a reputation as a prosperous city. It was proclaimed capital in 1419, and from that time onwards the city grew steadily, during the Kalmar Union and then the reign of the Vasa family. This growth slowed from the 18th century onwards, during the troubles caused by the Great Northern War.
Many remarkable monuments date from this period. Such is the case of Drottningholm Castle on the outskirts of Stockholm, which, along with the Skogskyrkogården cemetery, is one of the city's two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Among the city's most beautiful buildings is the Royal Swedish Opera, a neoclassical building dating from the 19th century but whose origins go back to the early 18th century. When it comes to music, the city is also renowned for its orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic.
Finally, the city, which was the Capital of Culture in 1998, is home to over a hundred museums. A number of them are located on the island of Djurgården, including the Vasa museum, the Skansen museum and the Nordic museum.
A city at the cutting edge of progress
From equality and rights to ecology, the Swedish capital seems to lead the way internationally. Albert Camus gave his speeches here when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, a ceremony founded by the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg is also from here!
The people of Stockholm base their daily lives on a very ecological way of life. Entirely pedestrianised islands, hiking trails, biogas buses, outdoor activities, cycle paths and parks as far as the eye can see: the city seems to have been designed with this in mind.
Don't forget to visit the island of Djurgarden (with its museums), a green setting that was once the hunting ground of the Swedish kings. The island of Södermalm has a record 60 parks! If you walk to the royal palace, you can fish for salmon. What's even more remarkable is that Stockholm is the first capital in the world to have a national park. This huge park covers 27 square kilometres.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the island of Gamla Stan to the trendy Norrmalm district!
Find all the routes in the city of Stockholm and over 1300 others on the JOOKS application.
Comments