Monday, August 27, 2007

Gammla Stan

Gammla Stan, or Stockholm’s Old Town, is a charming mix of the regal, the quaint, and the touristy kitsch. For me, starting in any European city’s Old Town is the place to start to get a sense of the city, its origins, and its heritage. So, day 1 of “Stockhlom vacation 2007” began here.

Gammla Stan is the home of Stockholm’s Royal Palace including the State Apartments, Slottsbacken (Palace Church) and Royal Treasury. Today, Sweden’s royal family lives outside the city (palace tour for another day, so stay tuned), so much of this palace is used only for ceremonial purposes, state affairs, museums of the Royal Family, and of course, a major sightseeing stop. Our first day included beautiful weather and a view of the changing of the guard. Subsequent trips back to Gamma Stan for further sightseeing resulted in the varying weather as seen in the photos.

The Royal Palace, also known as Kungliga Slottet.

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All things “guard-like”…the changing of the guard, guard-houses, etc.

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The palace and old town from a distance…

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Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s 15th century Gothic cathedral where Swedish kings were crowned from the 15th century to as late as 1907. Today’s main attraction is the wooden status of St. George slaying the dragon.

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Gammla Stan's square known as Stortorget containing its very old merchant houses.

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The crooked streets and alleys of Gammla Stan.

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The “narrowest” street in Stockholm.

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Military band concert in Gammla Stan.

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Budman and Hachie Gal enjoying the cafes of Gammla Stan.

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On the fringe of Gammla Stan sits the baroque Operan, of opera House. Known probably as much as for its restaurants as for its music.

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