DJURGÅRDEN

Description

Essentials about Djurgården in brief

The 280-hectare island of Djurgården (Swedish djur = animal, gård = yard, meaning “the zoo”) in the heart of Stockholm is a must-see when visiting the Swedish capital. The scenically beautiful island is part of the only national park in the middle of a European capital and enchants with a mixture of forests, park areas, canals and beaches. In addition to beautiful nature, Djurgården is also home to many of Stockholm’s most famous sights. These include numerous museums, such as the Skansen open-air museum, the ABBA and the Vasa Museum, the Rosendal pleasure palace and the Gröna Lund amusement park.

The history of Djurgården

The history of Djurgården begins in the 15th century when King Karl Knutsson acquired the island. In the 16th century, the island was still very sparsely populated and was primarily used as grazing land. King John III used Djurgården as a hunting ground.

In the 17th century, under the reign of King Gustav III, the purpose of the island changed to entertainment and recreation. It was at this time that the first taverns opened on Djurgården.

The 19th century was the time of representation on Djurgården. Between 1823 and 1827, Rosendal Palace was built for King Charles XIV John. In the decades that followed, numerous magnificent villas were built, such as Parkudden, Sirishov, Täcka Udden and Wicanderska Villan.

The 19th century also saw the birth of many well-known museums and entertainment venues that are still in operation today, including the Gröna Lund amusement park, the Skansen open-air museum and the Nordic Museum. In 1897, the Stockholm World’s Fair was held on Djurgården, which is still commemorated by many preserved buildings on the island.

The Djurgården National Park

Today, Djurgården is part of Sweden’s first national city park, which was officially opened by King Carl XVI Gustaf in 1996. In the national park, dense forest areas alternate with green parks. The park is criss-crossed by picturesque canals and merges gently into Stockholm’s archipelago at its edges.

The sights of Djurgården

Djurgården can justifiably be called the museum mile of Stockholm. Visitors can reach some of the most important and interesting museums in the city and the whole of Scandinavia via the central Djurgårdsvägen. In addition to the museums, Rosendal Palace is the island’s main attraction.

ABBA The Museum

ABBA fans have had a special place of pilgrimage in Stockholm since 2013: ABBA The Museum. If you want to learn more or less everything about the Swedish supertroopers, who took the pop world by storm in the 1970s and 80s on platform soles and in glittery uniforms, you have to pay a visit to the ABBA Museum. Located right next to the Gröna Lund amusement park and the Skansen open-air museum, the band museum is located in the basement of the Swedish Music Hall of Fame. On display are a variety of costumes, sets, records, photos and private objects, supplemented by lots of interactive elements. All that remains to be said is: Thank you for the music!

The Nordic Museum

A visit to the Nordic Museum is a must for all travelers to Stockholm who are interested in Swedish culture. With a collection of one and a half million objects from the last five centuries, the museum is a veritable treasure trove covering all areas of the country’s culture. What’s more, the museum building is one of Sweden’s most beautiful architectural monuments.

The Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum is probably the most unique museum in Stockholm. It houses the warship Vasa, which lay at the bottom of the sea in Stockholm harbor for 333 years after sinking on its maiden voyage in 1628. Today, the Vasa is the best-preserved ship of the 17th century. The unique cultural treasure comprises 98 percent of the original parts, including hundreds of artistically carved wooden sculptures. This museum is not only worth a visit for amateur captains.

Gröna Lund

Not many cities can boast an amusement park in the middle of the city center like Stockholm. Gröna Lund is not only the oldest amusement park in Sweden, but also one of the oldest in Europe. Stockholmers have been coming here since 1883 to enjoy the various rides, restaurants and kiosks. Gröna Lund now attracts over 1.5 million visitors every year. An absolute must for young and old amusement park fans when visiting the Swedish capital.

Rosendal Palace

The Rosendal pleasure palace was once the idyllic retreat of the Swedish rulers away from the courtly formality of the city. Today it is a popular excursion destination where visitors can immerse themselves in the Swedish Empire style of the 19th century. A visit to Rosendal Palace can also be perfectly combined with a visit to Rosendals Trädgård, which is located right next door.

Rosendals Trädgård

Rosendals Trädgård is more popular with both the people of Stockholm and tourists than the nearby Rosendal Palace of the same name. No wonder, the beautiful garden is also a kind of oasis of peace, relaxation and enjoyment. Here you can enjoy a picnic or coffee and cake among the rose bushes, flower beds, fruit trees and greenhouses.

Skansen

A visit to Skansen is a must on any trip to Stockholm. The oldest open-air museum in the world is a wonderful journey through time into the history and folk culture of Sweden. Visitors can expect not only around 150 historic buildings, but also around 300 animal species and a whole host of craft and cultural activities. Skansen is a fantastic combination of information and entertainment for young and old.

The Skansen-Akvariet

Skansen-Akvariet (Skansen Aquarium) is a small aquarium on the grounds of the Skansen open-air museum. Here visitors can discover dozens of exotic animal species on land, in water and in the air. A welcome change from the program of the Skansen Museum.

Waldemarsudde

Art lovers should visit the Waldemarsudde Art Museum in Stockholm. The museum has one of the finest collections of Swedish art from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection is also supplemented by changing exhibitions. Waldemarsudde is also worth a visit for art lovers. The park is beautifully laid out and offers magnificent views.