Visiting the Royal Palace of Stockholm
The Royal Palace of Stockholm, or Kungliga Slottet, serves as the official residence of the Swedish monarchs. It sits right in the historic old town along the waterfront of the Norrström.
History
Construction on the version of the palace we see today kicked off in 1697. It followed a devastating fire that leveled the older Tre Kronor Castle. Sculptors and painters were brought in from France to work on the majestic building. They held such high prestige that in a strictly Protestant Sweden where Catholicism was banned outright, they were allowed to practice their faith. Most of them had previously cut their teeth working on the Palace of Versailles. However, the Great Northern War brought construction to a halt from 1709 to 1727. In 1732, new artisans from France were called to Stockholm to finish the project. It took until 1771, spanning 74 years in total, for the palace to finally reach completion.
Inside the Royal Palace of Stockholm
This striking building, designed in an Italian Baroque style, houses more than 680 rooms spread across 7 floors. Beyond the royal apartments, you will find 2 museums, the Treasury holding the crown jewels, a library, and a church. Much like the tradition in London, crowds gather here to watch the changing of the guard, a unit that has protected the royal family since the 16th century. Guided tours of the palace are available, and during the summer months, visitors can even tour the royal chapel.
The interior also conceals lesser known gems, such as the Don Quixote Salon. It gets its name from the wall tapestries depicting the life of Cervantes' famous hero, which were given as a gift from Louis XVI to Gustav III during his visit to Paris.
It is an unusual architectural landmark, and exploring it offers plenty of highlights for history and art enthusiasts.
Opening hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00-16:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00-16:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00-16:00 |
| Friday | 10:00-16:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00-16:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00-16:00 |
*Information subject to change
This palace manages, through its architecture, to be both imposing and elegant at the same time. It reminds us that Sweden is a kingdom, something that is easy to forget since we never hear about the crowned heads of this country!