Stockholm, Sweden September 9, 2008

Background

By the end of the Ice Age, glacial movements unlocked the lands of Northern Europe that had been submerged for millennia and the what is now called Scandinavia rose to the surface. Humans, arrived around 6000 BC and ruled the region for hundreds of centuries. It wasn’t until the middle of the thirteenth century, however, that Scandinavia, the land of the Vikings, began to flourish.

During the period when Christianity took it’s foothold in relatively isolated Scandinavia, most of this northern region was ruled by Denmark. As interest in developing trade with the rest of Europe, the area around today's Stockholm became established as a commercial center and the city began its rise. Fortunes grew as new relationships were established port towns belonging to the Hanseatic League, a trade association that was essentially a coalition of merchants in towns throughout Germany and along the southern Baltic coastline.

Eventually, the League's power began to strangle Scandinavia's growing economies and Denmark's Queen Margaret attempted shift trade away from the German-led trading cartel. She attempted to unite all the lands that today comprise Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland and to separate their commercial interests from the League.

However, her efforts were challenged domestically by those who favored continued trade under the auspices of the Hanseatic League. Conflicts raged for years between separatists and Hanse supporters and reached a climax in 1520 when the Danish king had nearly a hundred pro-Hanse Swedish nobles executed. Since they were beheaded, this event became known as the Stockholm Blood Bath. This sparked protests throughout Scandinavia and Gustav I Vasa, another Swedish noble, lead a revolt against the Danish throne. He captured Stockholm, expelled the Danes, and became king. Hence, the Vasa royal dynasty began.

Three hundred years later, Gustav IV Vasa led Sweden into a war against Napoleon's France. Sweden suffered huge losses, leading to Gustav's overthrow. A new constitution was drafted giving Parliament equal power with the King and Napoleon used his influence to put his aide, Jean Bernadotte, on the Swedish throne. Bernadotte ruled Sweden and Norway as Charles XIV. Thus began the Benadotte dynasty, a bloodline that continues today.

During the great wars that swept Europe in the twentieth century, Sweden was able to sustain neutrality and by maintaining comparatively stable while other European nations were embroiled in conflict, Sweden's economy and standard of living as able to develop rapidly. Culturally, many Swedish influences have left their mark on the rest of the world.

For example, Swedish architects and designers are credited with pioneering the functionalism movement in the 1930’s, introducing the world to the slick, clean, and sophisticated designs that today are trademarks for Scandinavia products--- buildings, furniture, glassware, jewelry, etc.

The Swedish language is a Germanic tongue, much like Danish and Norwegian and, further, most of the population speaks English as a second language. The Lutheran Church is an important part of Swedish culture, with roughly 95% of the population belonging to the state-supported denomination.

Stockholm

Most of the Sweden’s population of over 1.8 million is concentrated around Stockholm, the capital city and one of Europe's major commercial, manufacturing, financial, transportation, and cultural centers. The city is built on fourteen small islands clustered around the point where the waters of Malaren (Lake Malar) rush into the Baltic. With its many waterways, bridges, and parklands that cover nearly a third of the city's area, Stockholm is a particularly handsome metropolis and is often called “The Venice of the North” and "The City That Floats.” A boat trip through the city's canals and around the archipelago is a particularly pleasant way to spend time during a visit.

Stockholm's culture is visible in its architecture, cinema, and traditions. Adding to the beauty of the city are its colorful structures--- modern block and glass buildings punctuate the skyline. However, at no time is a visitor more than a five minutes walk from twisting medieval streets with ancient red-washed houses, onion domes, painted roofs, curved gables, and stately cathedrals and spires.

Stockholm was the birthplace of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and benefactor of the the annual Noble Awards. Accordingly, the Noble ceremonies are held in Stockholm and have grown to become one of the proudest symbols of the city. Sweden is also widely known for its literary works. Perhaps the most famous Swedish writer is Astrid Lindgren, the creator of Pippi Longstocking.

Much like neighboring Copenhagen and St. Petersburg, Stockholm came to be as a busy port town and, like them, the city bubbles with energy. The downtown area, called Norrmalm, is where most of the the city's finest restaurants, hotels, and shopping are found. (However, boisterous crowds and traffic jams are also waiting.) Stockholm was awarded the European Capital of Culture award in 1998, recognizing the city’s multi-dimensioned accomplishments.

Stockholm Highlights
(Click on the blue ball next to the page you want to review.)

	Stadshuset (City Hall)		Vasa Museum
	Gamla Stan (Old Town)		Gröna Lund Tivoli (Amusement Park)
	Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace)		Religious Sites
	Drottningholm Palace		Shopping
	Nordic Museum and Skansen Park		Other Attractions

Internet Links
(Click on the blue ball next to the link you want to review.)

	Map of Stockholm		Useful Words in Swedish
	Book Your Own Stockholm Tour		A Virtual Tour of Stockholm's City Hall
	Create Your Own Stockholm Guidebook		Frommer's List of Stockholm Attractions
	Welcome to Skansen		Planetware's Stockholm Sightseeing Links