stockholm
Consistently ranked first on the lists of the world’s greenest, most pollution-free and liveable cities, Stockholm is currently enjoying the well-deserved title of European Green Capital 2010 © Mikdam | Dreamstime.com • © Pinkbadger | Dreamstime.com
halls, theatre spaces and conference rooms. The list of notable events held here – ranging from the Eurovision Song Contest and MTV Music Awards to appearances by Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama - is a testimony to the international stature of this venue and this global city. For the conference delegate who is blessed with the gift of unscheduled free time, Stockholm offers a smorgasbord of tourist delights to exceed every expectation. The vibrant and fashionable Södermalm neighbourhood, situated on the city’s largest island, is a bohemian paradise of alternative shops, art galleries and trendy nightclubs. Stockholm has one of the highest coffee-consumption rates in the world, which accounts for the profusion of espresso bars and chic cafes in this stylish district. A short walk north of Södermalm stands the jewel in Stockholm’s crown, the old town of Gamla Stan, which dates back to 1252 and still possesses the original maze of mediaeval cobblestone streets. A meander through these narrow avenues of red, orange and gold houses, handicraft shops and souvenir stalls will inevitably lead to the Royal Palace, official residence of the King of Sweden. Built in the Italian Baroque style in the 18th century and containing five museums, the palace
is one of the largest in Europe and is open for public tours. Beside the palace stands the Storkyrkan, the formidable gothic cathedral which dates back to the 13th century and contains a reliquary that, according to legend, holds the bones of St George. The cathedral overlooks the historical Stortorget square in the centre of the old city, which also hosts the Nobel Museum and the French Rococo Stock Exchange Building – where the winners of the Nobel Prizes are announced each year. The immense historical riches of Stockholm are not confined to Gamla Stan’s charming streets, but pervade the entire capital. Any balanced tour of the city should include the grandiose Drottningholm Palace on the island of Lovön; modelled on the Palace of Versailles, this palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. With such a bewildering abundance of historical sites, museums, theatres and art galleries to choose from, Stockholm truly offers one of the most sublime cultural experiences in the world. The city is surprisingly accessible to the international traveller, with high-quality rail
Previous page: Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm. This page: Stockholm city at night; Sergels Torg, the main square in Stockholm city
links across the new Öresund Bridge that links Sweden to Denmark and mainland Europe. The city is also well serviced by several airports, the largest being Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, 40km north of the capital, with Skavsta International Airport situated about 100km to the south. But however one arrives in ‘the Venice of the North’, the experience of encountering this richly historical yet entirely modern city will remain forever. ◆ themicereport | 85
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