Thursday, October 29. 

Eased into the city for some more sight seeing. Jumped off the metro at old town. Walked through the streets past many magnificent buildings.

    
He Alfred Noble museum. Of Noble Prize fame.

    
Cathedral spire.

 What a great looking phone box.   

First stop was Storkyrkan, the great church. This is the closest Stockholm has to a cathedral, consecrated in 1306, it finally became a cathedral in 1942. Interestingly, all the plaster encasing the pillars was removed in 1908 and the bricks polished to give it a medieval look.

  The pulpit dates back to 1770.  
The silver alter is made of ebony and silver.

  The life sized statue of St George and the Dragon dates from the 15th century.  
    
  The seven branched candelabra made of bronze with a height of 3.7 metres. Dates back to the 15th century. Interesting that it has seven branches, same as a menorah, from the Jewish faith.  
The huge painting behind the statue is of The Last Judgement, painted by David Ehrenstrahl in 1696. This along with another painting titled, The Parhelion, which depicts a light phenomenon which occurred over Stockholm in 1535, were both rescued from the original castle when it burnt down in 1697.

  Views of the magnificent ceilings and barrel vaulting.  
    
This is one of the two Royal pews which are used only by members of the toyal family when attending official ceremonies in the cathedral.

  Leaving the cathedral we headed across the courtyard to the palace. On the way we passed this obelisk built by King Gustaph Adolphis.  
Looking down the hill from Palace Square.

 

One of the circular buildings which house the palace guards.
   
Luckily we were there at the right time for the changing of the guards.

    
    
    
    
 

Next stop was the Royal Palace or Kunliga Slottet. This palace comprises 608 rooms and is the largest active Royal Palace in the world. Unfortunately we would not be able to see most of it as they were in preparation for the visit of the President of Tunisia next week.

Once inside the palace we visited the museum which is located in the under croft of the old palace, on which the new palace is built.

The wood storage which is still in use today. The wood is still delivered down the chute in the picture and then carried upstairs to the many fireplaces in the palace.
   

 

Tapestry taken from the old castle.
   

Sections of the vaulting in the old undercroft.

    
Leaving the museum we headed upstairs to the new palace.

Stairway entrance.

    
 

15th century mahogany dresser.
   
Ceiling of the Receiving Room, where guests are received prior to going upstairs for dinners. There is currently an exhibition of Queen Lillian’s dresses.

    

Inside the Great Hall.
    

The Royal Throne.
    

In thus room the Awards Committe meet to determine who receives awards.
  

Hard to read across the bottom, but this was awarded to Prince Charles. It is the Order of the Seraph, the highest award that can be given in Sweden. Once the recipient dies the shield is then moved to the Ridderhuset church, or Royal Church.

  
    

Steeple of the Royal Church where all royalty are buried.

  

Peasants entrance to the great hall.

Looking down the square towards the water.  

  

Doors to the The Treasury, which we visited but no photos allowed.
  

It may appear that the remaining photos were taken late at night. In fact it is only 3.45pm. Some more of the lovely buildings.  
    
    

Gates leading out of the old city.
  

Rear of the Riksplan, Parliament House.  
  

The Royal Church which was locked.

  

Freeway at 4.00pm.
    Ore views across the water from the other side of the castle. Dark building in the centre is the Town Hall and the modernist building right of centre is the law courts.

    
    
    
 

Grabbed a quick bite to eat and back to Myrtle.