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Stockholm guide

The area around the Royal Palace in Gamla stan

A short walk through Gamla stan and onto Riddarholmen, from the Royal Palace past the Great Church and German Church to the House of Nobility and Riddarholm Church. Suits first-time visitors who want Stockholm's royal and church history in one old-town loop.

The royal story of Sweden is still told in stone on this small island. This walk runs from the palace that replaced a burned castle to the church where most of Sweden's kings are buried, past two churches and a nobles' house on the way.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace exists because of a fire. On 7 May 1697 the old Tre Kronor castle burned, and Nicodemus Tessin the Younger designed its replacement. The royal family moved in on 7 December 1754. The palace has 1,430 rooms.

Royal Palace
Royal PalaceLandmarkStand in the outer courtyard, where the changing of the guard takes place, and look at the long stone front. The Royal Armoury sits inside the palace if you want a museum. Then step across to the church beside it.Photo: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0

Great Church

The Great Church (Storkyrkan) was consecrated in 1306 and is where Sweden's monarchs were crowned, the last being Oscar II in 1873. In 2010 Crown Princess Victoria married here.

Great Church
Great ChurchPlace of worshipGo in and find the wooden sculpture of St George and the Dragon, unveiled in 1489 after Sten Sture's victory at Brunkeberg and widely attributed to Bernt Notke. The Nobel Museum is a few steps away if you have time for a second visit. Then walk south through the lanes.Photo: ArildV, CC BY-SA 4.0

German Church

The German Church (Tyska kyrkan) grew from a guild of German merchants. The Germans got their own place for services in 1558, and the present two-nave church dates from 1638 to 1642.

German Church
German ChurchPlace of worshipLook up at the tall brick steeple, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1878. Go in if the door is open, and look for the royal gallery with Charles XI's monogram. Then head west towards the square by the water.Photo: Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 3.0

House of Nobility

The House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) was begun in 1641, when Axel Oxenstierna bought the land for a grand house for the noble estate. Simon de la Vallée drew the first plans, and his son Jean finished the building.

House of Nobility
House of NobilityLandmarkTreat this one as a stop to look at, not to enter. Read the Latin inscription at the south end and find the bronze Gustav Vasa. Then cross the short bridge to the church tower.Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0

Riddarholm Church

Riddarholm Church began as a Franciscan friary in the late 13th century. Most Swedish monarchs from Gustavus Adolphus to Gustaf V lie here, and the coats of arms of dead Seraphim knights hang on the walls.

Riddarholm Church
Riddarholm ChurchPlace of worshipThe inside is open mainly in the summer season, so check before you go. If it is shut, walk around the outside: the cast-iron spire replaced one struck by lightning in 1835, and it is under renovation now.Photo: Nordelch, CC BY-SA 3.0

Where it ends

Crowns, a burned castle, merchants and nobles: the island is small, but each stop shows who held power here. The last church is where the kings finally rest.