The Stockholm City Hall (Stockholm) is a magnificent building, a true architectural masterpiece of the last century. This is a symbol of the Swedish capital. The building is used not only as a place where the Stockholm Municipal Council holds its meetings. Social events, receptions, banquets and other events of great importance for the city and country are held here. This monumental building can be called one of the key monuments of Swedish architecture.
The Town Hall building is a wonderful architectural monument, stylized as the Middle Ages, with exquisite interior decoration and a modest, not striking facade made of aged brick, embodying the traditions of Swedish romanticism.
History of occurrence
In 1907, after a decision was made by the city authorities to erect a new building in Stockholm for the work of the city council in the country, a competition was announced for the best architectural project for the future building. It was attended by many leading experts from Sweden. Ragnar Estberg won, who was assigned to lead the construction of an important building for the city. The Stockholm City Hall was built for more than ten years - starting in 1911. The completion of the construction and the grand opening of the town hall took place in 1923. Moreover, in the process of erection, the initial project underwent many significant changes.
Some architectural historians believe that the Dodge Palace in Venice was a source of inspiration for the eminent architect during the construction of the town hall. The best interior artists, textile and furniture masters also participated in the interior decoration of the municipal building.
Venue for various events
After the opening, the Stockholm City Hall became the venue for many ceremonial events that play an important role in the life of Swedish society. These include:
- annual banquets dedicated to the Nobel Prize ceremony;
- solemn receptions held by the head of state;
- political negotiations and international meetings, etc.
By the way, the Stockholm City Hall is rarely used by the city authorities as a venue.
Description
What is this building? Magnificent red brick building. The Stockholm City Hall is a rectangular building, decorated with a high 106-meter tower, which houses an observation deck, considered the best in the city. From this place you can enjoy magnificent views of the capital, which they ask for postcards and memorable photos about visiting this wonderful city. To be on the observation deck, you can use the elevator. But it is more interesting to overcome the staircase, consisting of 365 steps. The tower houses the premises of the city museum, which displays copies of busts, samples of magnificent mosaics used in the design of the Golden Hall, numerous statues and other cultural monuments of the Swedish people. A special place among the masterpieces presented in the museum is given to the statue of St. Erica, intended according to the original plan of the architect to be located on the spot where the observation deck is now located. The sculpture of the saint is almost 7.5 meters high and is striking in its subtle silhouette lines and beauty.
Nine bells are suspended under the dome of the tower, each of which is associated with the name of one of the saints. The tower’s spire is decorated with three gilded crowns, according to one version, also associated with the images of the saints and which are the famous emblem of Sweden. According to another version, each of these crowns symbolizes one of the ancient Scandinavian gods: Odin, Thor and Freya.
Inside the town hall building there are several magnificent halls, each of which has its own purpose.
Blue hall
The Blue Hall is the most popular and widely used hall in Stockholm. It is here that annual banquets are held, timed to coincide with the delivery of the Nobel Prize, which meets the cream of the world intellectual elite. The maximum capacity of the hall is about 1300 guests. Moreover, each of them allocated a space of half a square meter. Although the hall is called blue, in fact its color is represented by the color of the walls of the same red brick as the outer walls of the building. Minimalist-style interiors add elegance to beautiful colonnades and a large staircase. This hall also houses the largest organ in Scandinavia, consisting of more than 10 thousand pipes.
Gold
The Golden Hall is considered the most chic room of the town hall. In its design, the Byzantine style was used, lining with mosaic pieces covered with pure gold. These mosaic paintings depict the highlights of Swedish history. The main decoration of the hall is considered to be a picture of the Queen of Lake Mälaren.
City Hall
The city council hall is designed for various kinds of political and intergovernmental negotiations and meetings, as well as for holding sessions of the Stockholm municipality. Its special feature was the unusual ceiling in the form of an inverted Viking ship without a bottom. Therefore, the hall is located in the open air.
"Hall of hundreds"
In addition, the Town Hall has a "Hall of hundreds." Award winners and guests arriving at the Nobel banquet are greeted in this passage room . "Prince's Gallery" is intended for official receptions. The Oval Office is used to register marriages.
Stockholm City Hall. Opening hours and ticket price
You can get acquainted with the interiors and the interior of the famous town hall only as part of an organized excursion group. Excursions are held several times during the day as a group of 30-40 people is recruited during the operation of the town hall:
- from half past eight in the morning to four in the evening during the period from October 16 to March 15;
- from 9:30 to 18:00 in the spring and autumn;
- from nine in the morning until seven in the evening in the summer.
The cost of visiting adults the brightest sights of the Swedish capital is 70-100 SEK depending on the season and 20 SEK for students 12-17 years old. Children under the age of 12 can take part in excursions and enjoy the beauty of the interior of the city hall for free. The ticket price includes the services of a guide who speaks Swedish or English.
Visiting the observation deck is allowed only in the summer and is not included in the price of the tour; ticket price is 40 SEK.
How to get there
It is most convenient to get to the town hall building by metro, since the Rådhuset station is located near it. You can drive to T-centralen and walk on foot for about 8-10 minutes. Get to the building and buses No. 3, 62.
Where is the Stockholm City Hall (Stockholm) located?
Address of the institution: 1 Hunterkargatan (1 Ragnar Ostbergs Plan), Stockholm, Sweden.
The town hall building is located on the eastern tip of Kungsholmen island on Lake Mälaren in the immediate vicinity of the city center and faces Gamla Stan, which is the oldest part of the capital.
Conclusion
Now you know what the Stockholm City Hall is, how to get to it. We hope you have a good time in this place.