From diverse history and stunning vistas to lively cafés and independent fashion labels, Stockholm testifies to its own glory every step of the way. Here are some fascinating facts about one of Europe’s most laid-back capital cities.
The first ever recorded evidence of the name Stockholm was the letter written in 1252 by the Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. Since then, it has always been the official name of the Swedish capital.
Stockholm has been nicknamed the “Beauty on the Water”, owing to the fact that it stands on 14 islands, which are connected by 57 bridges.
The Riddarholmen Church is Stockholm’s oldest building. Built in 1270, this Franciscan monastery is one of the city’s main tourist attractions.
Stockholm is home to the world’s first ever National City Park. Covering the areas of Ulriksdal, Haga, Brunnsviken, and Djurgården, it hosts museums, four palaces, and Stockholm University, among other attractions.
Stockholm has the world’s largest hemispherical building. Known as the Ericsson Globe, it is primarily used for ice hockey, and can be seen from pretty much anywhere in the city.
Stockholm is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites viz., the Drottningholm Palace, the Woodland Cemetery, and the Birka archaeological site.
Often called the “world’s biggest small town” or the “world’s smallest big city”, Stockholm is among the most walk-able cities in the world.
With beautiful alleys and cobblestone streets, this city packs quite the punch.
Stockholm’s Djurgården island has the world’s first open-air museum. Built in 1891, its 150 buildings tell the tale of almost 500 years of Swedish history.
Stockholm’s subway is, by far, the world’s longest art gallery. Most of the underground stations are decorated with beautiful paintings, mosaics, and sculptures.
Stockholm has absolutely no heavy industry, which makes it one of the world’s cleanest metropolises. About 85% of the city’s residents depend on the service industry for their daily B&B.