Our time in Sweden took us to Stockholm, where we stayed on an old boat converted into a hotel/hostel. Like some other cities we’ve visited in Europe, Stockholm has an “old town” where it flourished in medieval times. We didn’t venture too far out of the city center, but feel like we got a good sense of its history. Highlights included a royal parade, a 17th century ship that is 98% in tact, old buildings from various eras in Sweden, and some indiginous Nordic animals.
Old Town Stockholm
We headed into the center of the old town and saw these colorful houses and grand old fountain.We heard that many of the houses along these cobblestone streets have houses that are slowly starting to lean and in need of reinforcement.We found the statue of Saint George and the Dragon. Paxton was excited to see it since the story was featured in one of the children’s books he’s read.Getting mentally ready to pose with the helmet mom said he had to put on for the camera.Classic!The Royal Palace of Sweden.There appeared to be something going on but we didn’t know what. The royal chapel inside the palace.Gold, gold and more gold. But even more royal crowns in the decorations.The Swedish Parliament building next door to the palace.A small group of protesters between the palace and the parliament building: covering various issues including the environment, legalization of marijuana, and a few other things.This marching band started several blocks away. We weren’t sure if the fanfare was a regular event there. It turned out that we unknowingly happened to be at the palace and parliament on the day parliament opened after their summer break, and while we missed the procession of members of parliament, we were just in time to see the royal family arrive! No major security. No metal detectors. Only a rope to keep us on the sidewalk. The lack of security measures needed in countries like this is SO refreshing compared to all the craziness of the USA. The first royal carriage…like out of a fairy tale. The Queen and King of Sweden arriving for the opening session of parliament. We were literally a few feet away when it passed. Amazing.The Princess and Prince.
The Museum of Medieval Stockholm
This museum was the reason we happened to be in the right place at the right time to see the Swedish Royal Family. It is a museum created after they began digging to build a parking lot for parliament and discovered artifacts of Stockholm during it’s medieval time. So they moved the parking garage and created the museum to let everyone share in the history.
A diorama of the original city of Stockholm (in what is now considered “old town”). The museum is located on the island on the bottom right.Part of the wall they discovered when digging for the garage.They even discovered the remains of people buried in that location.A tunnel that was used to connect this location to the nearby castle.There were recreations of what various buildings would look like. The stone is something they actually found at the site. Maybe one of my favorite historical mannequins showing how tiring the work was for everyday people…and is often still true today even though we have it SO much easier. A runestone that was common in the viking age; a memorial to someone who died.The jacket is actually stained with blood.A really cool visual depiction of how ancient cities are literally buried as time marches on. In the case of Stockholm, we heard that people’s garbage thrown on the ground actually played a part of raising the ground level over the years. Sir Paxton ready for battle.
The Vasa Museum
The warship Vasa was commissioned in the mid 1600s by the Swedish King to become the biggest, most fearsome warship. Unfortunately, it sank on its maiden voyage just 120 meters away from the dock in 30 meter deep water in 1628. After 333 years, the ship was found and salvaged and Vasa is the world’s only preserved 17th century ship. A whopping 98% of the original woodwork was recovered and preserved.
The rear of the ship.This is the colors they think the rear figurines on the ship were painted.A model of what the Vasa would have looked like when it was built (next to the real thing).
Skansen
In every city we go to, we try to find something interesting for Paxton too. In Stockholm, we decided to visit Skansen, an outdoor museum built in the late 1800s that showcases old buildings moved from various parts of the country to show how they used to live in Sweden. It also has attractions for kids, including a zoo of Nordic animals.
Not sure if it a hairy sheep or buffalo (probably the later), but Paxton loved it just the same. A viking runestone.Inside the historical buildings they have people to reenact what the inhabitants would have done or just to explain the purpose and use of the building. In this building, we got to see a demonstration of how they made flatbread using rye (the main grain that grew there at that time). Not only did we get to see/hear about it being made, we got to taste it too! An old Swedish social building; one where weddings or grand parties would have taken place. The drawings all over the wall; very Midsommar-esque. A Swedish midsummer pole.Happening upon things like this kept making us think of the Midsommar movie (and getting a bit creeped out to be honest). An old storage building.Only a few of the Nordic animals we saw are represented here, including this mama buffalo and her baby born about 6 weeks back.Love the moose. (Did anyone read the Morris the Moose books like me?)A lynx cub (there were three).Mama lynx crossing the log with one of her cubs close behind.No Nordic zoo is complete without some reindeer! This guy looked like he was in charge.Fuzzy reindeer antlers.Someday, Paxton. Someday.
Sights around Stockholm
Enjoying an afternoon refreshment on our first afternoon in Stockholm on the boat. The beer is local.Just another day going to work in Stockholm. 🙂A cool fishing net.These mini trucks were spotted in various spots around town. Guess parking isn’t a problem.Lots of dog walkers in this neighborhood.One of the big shopping areas downtown. We pretty much never visit these types of stores. Flea markets are more our style.The weather was definitely starting to turn cold; getting ready for winter.This was a common sight……as were these.This dude was ready for cold weather! Oven mitts and a thick blanket for his legs. The funny thing was it wasn’t that cold of a day.This guy is walking from the train station while video chatting on his phone. Right after this photo was taken he tripped (but didn’t fall). Don’t video text and walk, people!Alas, we didn’t see the world’s largest Ikea that we read was in Sweden, but this building reminded me of the Ikea style.Part of a large park that used to be used by the military right outside the city center. Thankfully, they’ve managed to win the fight against developing it in favor of keeping some much needed green space in the city.A big TV transmitter tower in the vicinity of the park.Though we didn’t go to the Abba museum, we took comfort in knowing there is one.On top of the Abba museum.Some nuns waiting for a train at the station.
Stockholm at dusk
6 thoughts on “Sweden”
Thank you for sharing, Maria! Paxton’s look when you wanted him to put on the helmet was inherited from you!!!
Lisa Deering
It looks so clean there. Are the people friendly? With so many cheese shops I would be eating that and bread everyday. It looks very peaceful there. Take care. Love Heidi
People have been friendly everywhere we go. There’s a few exceptions here and there but they seem to be not happy in their jobs in general when that happens.
Looks amazing! We love seeing all the photos. You are so talented! Thinking about you guys a lot lately. Hope all is well. Love and hugs to all. Christina
Thank you for sharing, Maria! Paxton’s look when you wanted him to put on the helmet was inherited from you!!!
Lisa Deering
It looks so clean there. Are the people friendly? With so many cheese shops I would be eating that and bread everyday. It looks very peaceful there. Take care. Love Heidi
People have been friendly everywhere we go. There’s a few exceptions here and there but they seem to be not happy in their jobs in general when that happens.
My fav was the 2 pics of Paxton with the pigtails
Mine too. Nothing like embarrassing your kid for laughs. 🙂
Looks amazing! We love seeing all the photos. You are so talented! Thinking about you guys a lot lately. Hope all is well. Love and hugs to all. Christina