The Treasures of Stockholm

Just a two hour flight from St Petersburg and an hour to Riga, Stockholm is built upon a scad of islands (17 in all) with a wealth of architecture set against a slew of harbors, lakes and canals, with much fine exterior decor as well as art, history and more in its many museums.  The most famous of its museums is not about art – the Vasa Museum contains the 17th century ship that sank on its maiden voyage, leaving behind a storehouse of information about its time.

Most important structures show foreign influence as French and Italian architects were brought in during the 18th century.   Simon de la Vallée designed the Riddarhuset, the House of Knights . His son Jean de la Vallée and the German-born Nicodemus Tessin became a leading architect with buildings such as Södra  City Hall , Axel Oxenstierna Palace , Katarina Church , Stenbock Palace, and  Wrangelska Palace.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_in_Stockholm

City Hall is the site for the Nobel Prize banquet, except for the Peace Prize which is awarded in Norway.  The structure is in the style of the Italian Renaissance, though it was built in the early 20th century.  It’s interior is astounding, by far the most impressive of the city and competing favorably with others of its ilk in other countries.  It’s a fitting venue for the Nobel Prize award dinner, that it seats 3000 or so being a minor advantage. The Queen of Lake Mälaren mosaic is my favorite piece in the hall.  The guide said it is in the Byzantine style, but I do not see it that way, having never seen anything quite like her and finding little in common with the Byzantine aside from the gold mosaics. 

These mosaics were made in panels in Germany.  There are some 8 million tiles, the gold sandwiched between each one before it is attached to the panel.

Gamla Stan, the oldest part of the city, dates from 13th c, shows the influence of the architecture of northern Germany.  It retains the narrow medieval streets of the small island.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1697, the Castle of the Three Crowns was severely damaged in a fire, replaced by the Castle of Stockholm. 

Stockholm’s many waterways make for a natural charm  to contrast with man-made beauty. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Nouveau Architecture

It would not be at all surprising if you were not sure what constitutes Art Nouveau.  Literally the term means “New Art,” new being relative to around 1890 (lasting to about 1910).  Part of the problem arises from the diverse terminology used to refer to that general style.  The Czech term is Secese, Danish Skønvirke or Jugendstil,  German Jugendstil, Art Nouveau or Reformstil, Hungarian Szecesszió,  Italian Art Nouveau, Stile Liberty or Stile floreale,  Norwegian Jugendstil, Polish Secesja, Slovak Secesia, Russian Модерн (Modern), Swedish Jugend.  These various countries produced variations on the general theme and can be difficult to categorize.  Here are some photos of the Swedish version.  

 

 

I’ll add posts on the cuisine – surprisingly good- as well as the museums, also excellent.  Even without those added delights, and the friendly English speaking populace – you’d swear you were talking to Americans – Stockholm is a great visit.