STORTORGET

Description

Essentials about Stortorget in brief

Stortorget (Great Square) is the oldest, historically most important and at the same time most beautiful square in Stockholm. It is therefore a must-see on a trip to the Swedish capital. The beautiful colorful houses that adorn the square are one of the most beautiful postcard motifs in Europe. The numerous cafés, bars and restaurants on Stortorget are also a great place to relax after a stroll through Gamla stan.

The history of Stortorget

Stortorget is the oldest square in Stockholm. The Swedish capital developed around it from the 13th century. The Stortorget was first mentioned in documents in 1420.

In 1520, one of the most important historical events in Swedish history took place here. The Danish King Christian II had conquered Sweden and had himself elected head of state in Stockholm. During the celebrations, he had 82 Swedish noblemen and bishops executed who had previously been loyal to his opponent. In memory of the 82 beheaded, the Ribbinska huset on Stortorget was adorned with 82 white bricks.

Until the 17th century, the square was also home to Stockholm’s Rådstuga, the city hall at the time. Stortorget was also the capital’s central market square for centuries.

The west side of Stortorget

The west side is undoubtedly the best side of the square. Its colorful houses are one of Stockholm’s classic postcard motifs. The row of houses begins with the green Runstenshus. Next to it is probably the most beautiful house on Stortorget: Ribbinska huset or Schantzka hus, built at the end of the 15th century. The reddish-brown house is named after the former city councillor Bo Ribbing, who bequeathed it to Johann Eberhard Schantz, the former secretary of Karl X Gustav. This is followed by the yellow Seyfritzka hus, built in 1520. Opposite is the yellow Scharenbergska Stortorgshus, which housed Sweden’s first pharmacy.

The north side of Stortorget

In contrast to the other sides of the square, the north side is occupied by a single large building, the Börshus. Built between 1773 and 1778, the building was home to the Stockholm Stock Exchange from 1863 to 1998. Today it houses the Nobel Prize Museum, the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Library.

The east side of Stortorget

Grillska huset is another historic building on the east side of the square. It is named after the German goldsmith Anton Grill, who emigrated to Sweden in the 17th century. Today, the Stockholm City Mission is located here. The building right next to it is one of the few houses on Stortorget that is open to the public. The Bullkyrka is located here, where a church service is held every Sunday.

The south side of Stortorget

On the south side, there used to be individual wooden houses owned by famous personalities. In 1937, this side of the square was completely rebuilt and the current façade was created.

Stortorgs Fountain

Stortorgs Fountain can be admired in the middle of the square. This was once the point where all roads to and from Stockholm converged. There was already a fountain here in the Middle Ages. Today’s fountain was designed in 1778 by Swedish architect Erik Palmstedt, who also designed the stock exchange building on Stortorget.

The fountain is decorated on several sides with lion heads from which the water flows. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was used to supply the population with water and was also a source of water in the event of a fire. In 1857, the fountain was moved to another location because it interfered with traffic on Stortorget. However, it returned to its original location in 1953.

Stortorget today

Although Stortorget is not a particularly large square, there is almost always a lot going on here. This is not only due to its beautiful architecture, which is captured in photos by crowds of tourists, but also due to its density of restaurants, pubs and cafés. Especially in summer, it is extremely busy here. Locals and tourists enjoy the long Stockholm summer evenings with a drink.

In winter, things are usually a little more tranquil. Nevertheless, the Stortorget has its own special charm even in the colder months. The square is particularly charming in the run-up to Christmas, when the Christmas market is open. Handicrafts, Christmas decorations and Swedish specialties are sold here. And of course, a real Swedish Glögg tastes twice as good in the freezing cold and snow.