Cultural sightseeing in Sweden. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces
In Sweden, there are a huge number of different museums, many of which are devoted to the science and history of the state since ancient times. Most of the museums are concentrated in the capital of the country - Stockholm. The city is known throughout Europe as a museum center. It has more than 80 different museums. Interesting exhibitions are also held in museums in other major cities like Malmo, Kalmar and Uppsala. Despite its vivid pagan past, the country is religious enough. In its territory, there were a huge number of unique churches and cathedrals built in different years up to the time of the adoption of Christianity. Most of them are decorated in a spectacular Gothic style.
Monuments and architectural objects, notable for the history and culture of the country.
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This is a popular tourist destination that is widely known as one of the most frequently visited places in Europe. In Sweden it’s possible to find …
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Uppsala is one of the oldest cities in Sweden. The first buildings in the city date back to the 5th century. The cathedral of the city was built in the 13th century and is a work of architectural art of that time. The temple is decorated in a traditional Neo-Gothic style and is the highest temple in Scandinavia. In the 16th century, a royal palace in Renaissance style was built in Uppsala. Historical events took place in the castle, kings were born and died, wars were declared. Another interesting place for tourists in Uppsala is the house-museum of the scientist in the field of natural sciences Karl Linnaeus, who lived and died in this city.
The national cuisine of Sweden, like many other northern countries, is simple to cook. Local cuisine by right can be called a peasant. It is not …
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Sweden
Reference information
Art galleries in Sweden
♥ Art museum 'Gothenburg Museum of Art' Gothenburg. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Moderna Museet' Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Nationalmuseum' Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Tensta Konsthall' Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Gothenburg Museum of Art' Gothenburg. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Moderna Museet' Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Nationalmuseum' Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Tensta Konsthall' Stockholm. On the map Photos
Cathedrals and basilicas in Sweden
♥ S:t Erik Katolska Domkyrkan, Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Strängnäs domkyrka, Strängnäs. On the map Photos
♥ Västerås domkyrka, Västerås. On the map Photos
♥ Uppsala domkyrka, Uppsala. On the map Photos
♥ S:t Erik Katolska Domkyrkan, Stockholm. On the map Photos
♥ Strängnäs domkyrka, Strängnäs. On the map Photos
♥ Västerås domkyrka, Västerås. On the map Photos
♥ Uppsala domkyrka, Uppsala. On the map Photos
Palaces in Sweden
♥ Palace 'Borgeby Castle' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Bosjökloster' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Christinehof Castle' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Drottningholm Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Glimmingehus' Simrishamn. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Borgeby Castle' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Bosjökloster' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Christinehof Castle' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Drottningholm Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Glimmingehus' Simrishamn. On the map Photos
Extreme Guinness-type places in Sweden
Royal Domain of Drottningholm
From the series “Top 15 Unesco Sites in Europe”
There are historical monuments of world importance in Sweden. One of the most prominent is the palace and park ensemble of Drottningholm. It is located on the island of Louvain, among the peaceful waters of Lake Malaren. Since 1981, the palace is the seat of the Swedish kings. The first mansion on the island was built in the 16th century by order of King Johan III, who gave the palace to his wife. However, already in 1662, the majestic building was completely burned down. The palace was restored at the end of the 17th century. It has repeatedly changed owners. The residence was reconstructed in the next two hundred years.
In the 19th century, the gorgeous mansion was abandoned. The last major reconstruction began in 1907. Several years ago, the royal residence was opened to tourists. … Read all
In the 19th century, the gorgeous mansion was abandoned. The last major reconstruction began in 1907. Several years ago, the royal residence was opened to tourists. … Read all
Utter Inn Hotel
From the series “Fancy Houses and Hotels Located on Water or Under Water”
In Sweden, there is a world-famous underwater Utter Inn hotel, owned by an artist Michael Genberg. To get to this hotel, you need to come to Västerås port, which is in the immediate vicinity of Stockholm, and then go on a swim in an inflatable boat on Lake Mälaren. It is among the peaceful waters of this lake that the Utter Inn hotel is located. For its customers it offers the only double room.
The hotel consists of a small platform with a pier, which houses a miniature red cottage. Outwardly, it is very similar to the classical Swedish "stog" cottage, which is often painted red. Guests can go down a special staircase to get to the underwater room. It is designed for two guests and decorated in white and red tones. The main attractive feature of the room are rectangular windows through … Read all
All unique sightseeing Sweden
The hotel consists of a small platform with a pier, which houses a miniature red cottage. Outwardly, it is very similar to the classical Swedish "stog" cottage, which is often painted red. Guests can go down a special staircase to get to the underwater room. It is designed for two guests and decorated in white and red tones. The main attractive feature of the room are rectangular windows through … Read all
Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this
19.03.2024
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this
19.03.2024
Top cultural sites of Sweden: monuments, theaters and churches
Church of St. Nicholas, Stockholm
» In the middle of the 18th century, the church was rebuilt and refurbished. At the church, there is the medieval wooden sculpture of Saint George fighting a dragon. It was made in 1489.
» Swedish royalties were crowned here. The last coronation took place here in 1873.
» At the church, Swedish kings’ wedding ceremonies were held. In 2010, Daniel Westling and Princess Victoria, the eldest daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf, got married here. This event took place on the day of her parents’ marriage in 1976.
German Church, Stockholm
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The German Church is also called St. Gertrude's Church. In the Middle Ages, there was the German Guild of Merchants. Many German people also lived here. Many years later, in 1642, the guild’s building was rebuilt into a church and consecrated in honor of St. Gertrude (626-659), the patroness of travelers. » One of the stained glass windows depicts St. Gertrude holding a bowl and a church model in her hands.
» In 1878, the bell tower was destroyed by fire. It was restored by the Berlin architect Julius Raschdorff. Now, the bells ring four times a day.
» In the church, there is also a royal gallery decorated with sophisticated carved elements. It was built for the members of German royal families visiting services. It was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder (1615-1681).
» Nowadays, the church is visited by about 2 000 parishioners. Services are held in German.
Klara Church, Stockholm
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Church of Saint Clare was built together with a convent on the initiative of Magnus Ladulas in the late 13th century. » In 1527, the convent was demolished.
» In 1751, there was a large tower. The interior of the church was damaged and one of the towers collapsed.
» The church gained its modern appearance after the reconstruction in 1886. The modest and dark facade contrasts with a white and golden luxurious interior. There is an altar that has been preserved since 1766.
» The church tower is the highest in the city. It is 116 m high. It is crowned by a spire in the shape of a gilded cockerel. The bell tower has 35 bells that weigh 8.5 tons. A modern and electric clock was hung on the tower in 1965.
» At the cemetery of the church, you can see preserved gravestones of famous people living in Stockholm.
» Nowadays, the major activity of parishioners is charity. They feed homeless people and drug addicts, visit detainees in jails and help them.
Museum of Natural History, Stockholm
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Museum of Natural History was founded about 200 years ago. The museum collection built by the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1819 includes 10 million exhibits. The museum houses specimens of flora and fauna, the collection of minerals, and natural resources. » In 1916, the museum moved to the building complex built specifically for it. In the museum, researchers from several universities Stockholm work. There is also the Bird Banding Laboratory.
» In the IMAX Cosmonova cinema, you can watch 3D documentaries. The hall is equipped with a ceiling screen of perforated aluminum, which creates an illusion that you are in the film. Emotional individuals and small children are not recommended to watch some films.
» Exhibitions are organized in such a way that you can not only see exhibits on stands, but also take a look into some phenomena. At the “Smart Person” exhibition, you can look inside different organs, e.g. the head, the heart, or the stomach, and learn about how they work. The exhibition dedicated to Earth, you can hear sounds of magma, as well as see dinosaurs’ eggs, mammoths, and a huge sea monster. You can see meteorites, precious stones, and minerals at the exhibition “Treasures from the Earth Interior”.
National Museum, Stockholm
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The National Museum in Sweden houses a lot of art objects. Besides the museum, they are also kept in several Swedish royal castles and the Museum of Porcelain. The first pieces of art were collected by King Gustav Vasa in the middle of the 16th century. » In the middle of the 18th century, the Swedish envoy Carl Tessin bought a lot of paintings for the king’s collection in Paris. In 1792, the collection was donated to the National Museum.
» In 1866, the German architect August Stüler completed the construction of a new museum building. The rich collection puts the museum on a par with the Louvre, the Prado Museum, or the National Gallery in London.
» Here, you can see picturesque paintings of such Dutch, French, Italian, and English artists, as: van Gogh, Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, Perugino, Goya, Renoir, Gauguin, etc. They are gems of the museum collection.
» The museum had been closed for reconstruction until 2018. When the museum was renovated, its exhibits were kept in the Academy of Fine Arts.
Nobel Museum, Stockholm
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Nobel Prize Museum was opened in 2001 in the former stock exchange building. It was opened to mark the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize establishment by Alfred Nobel (1833-1896). » The prize has been awarded since 1901 in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace. 800 people have become prize winners since.
» The museum is decorated in an unusual and non-standard way. There’s a kind of cableway under the ceiling running through all the halls, bearing portraits of the laureates.
» The museum shows films, organizes conferences and exhibitions dedicated to famous laureates.
» The museum has a cafe where you can relax and eat, and if you turn your chairs over, you can see the Nobel laureates’ autographs. It’s surely an entertaining place to visit.
Nordic Museum, Stockholm
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Nordic Museum is located on the island of Djurgården. It keeps within its walls the history and culture of the Swedish from 1520 to the present day. » During his life, collector Artur Hazelius (1833 - 1901) collected, bought pieces of furniture, clothes, toys from all over Sweden and other northern countries.
» The permanent museum building was erected in 1907. This magnificent building had features of the best Danish palaces. The main hall has a huge statue of Gustav Vasa, the king of Sweden that restored the country’s independence.
» The collection includes 1.5 million exhibits and a large series of photographs – about 6 million shots.
» Visitors to the museum are invited to participate in role playing, for example, working on a farm or cooking food without electricity and water supply. To immerse fully in the role play, visitors can change into historical costumes.
» The museum has its own farm and shop where visitors can buy modern and classic products, fabrics, books, jewellery, and, of course, traditional woolen gloves.
Riddarholm Church, Stockholm
» In the 16th century, the abbey was reconstructed and a tower with a wooden spire was added to it. In 1835, the wooden spire was replaced by an iron one.
» In 1807, church workers were dismissed and religious services stopped being held.
» At the church, Swedish monks were buried. The oldest grave here is of Magnus Ladulas who died in 1293. He was the king of the Folkung dynasty and the son of Birger Jarl, the founder of Stockholm. Since that time, 17 royalties and members of their families were buried at the church.
» At Riddarholm Church, legendary Charles XII found his final resting place. It was his troops that were defeated at Poltava. In 1950, the deceased started to be buried at the cemetery of Hagaparken.
» On the walls of the church, there are 1 748 arms of knights of the Royal Order of the Seraphim. Since the foundation of the Order in 1748, every entrant receives his own coat of arms. It is kept in the Royal Palace. When a knight dies, his coat of arms is taken to the church and the bells ring for an hour, from 12:00 to 13:00.