Svelte Stockholm

One of my favorite trips was to Stockholm, Sweden, city of 14 islands. I absolutely adored every moment. I call Stockholm svelte, because I have never seen so many beautiful blonds in black boots pushing baby buggies. It seemed a prolific and sexy city! Oh, there were good looking men there too.

I explored on my own and went on a self-directed walking tour of the city centre that I read about in one of my tour books.

It began at Sergels Torg, a two-level square at the junction with Klarabergsgatan and Hamngatan with the sight of Edvin Ohrstrom’s towering glass obelisk, Crystal Vertical Accent in Glass and Steel, (erected in 1972) looming above:

CRYSTAL VERTICAL ACCENT IN GLASS AND STEEL

On to the grand Konserthuset (the Concert Hall), architectural masterpiece of Ivar Tengbom. Of visual interest to me was the Orpheus scuplture group by Carl Milles.

ORPHEUS SCULPTURE GROUP

WOMEN AT HIS FEET

At the junction of Sveavagen and Olof Palmes Gata is a plaque marking the spot where former swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme, was murdered in 1986 as he left a cinema with his wife.  He is buried just a short distance away in the churchyard at Adolf Fredriks Kyrka.

PLAQUE FOR DECEASED PRIME MINISTER

ADOLF FREDRIK CHURCH

BEAUTIFUL OLD HEADSTONE

Continuing on, I walked along the side of Observaforielunden, a park nestling the former observatory of Stockholm dating back to 1753.

VIEW FROM PARK

OLD STOCKHOLM OBSERVATORY

My next stop was the famous city library, Stadsbiblioteket designed by Gunnar Asplund. As you can see and partly imagine, there is a rounded room where books circle around and around. I was in Stockholm for about 4-5 days I think, and I read about 5 books. I walked, I read, I walked, I read. One book I read was The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates. Some of her writing is morose and disturbing yet mesmerizing.

STADSBIBLIOTEKET

I continued on to a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church called Johannes Kyrka. It was in the park, by this church, that I spent quite some time peacefully enjoying my solitude and, of course, reading.

JOHANNES KYRKA

The walk soon finished at Stureplan, an open square and an area of nightlife.

Other city sights:

STOCKHOLM

CITY STREET

FLYING FLAGS

A few other great pictures were taken from Gondolen, a classy bar at the top of Katarinahissen, a 38-m high lift/elevator constructed in 1881 which takes about 500,000 people a year up for a view of the city.

SODERMALM AREA OF STOCKHOLM

A famous neon sign and advertisement for Stomatol toothpaste is placed nearby, first erected in 1909.

STOMATOL NEON TOOTHPASTE SIGN

One of the most interesting museums I’ve ever visited… I’m saving for another post.

WHEN EVIL TIMES PREVAIL

TAKE CARE TO PRESERVE

THE SERENITY OF YOUR

HEART.

– horace