Stockholm's Architecture History

          Dating back to the 13th century with Gamla Stan's construction in the old town, Stockholm's buildings are characterized by their location between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. Most major buildings' design in Stockholm show foreign influences. 

               Throughout the 13th century and beyond, old Stockholm, located on Helgeandsholmen island, kept growing. Most of the remaining buildings are churches and royal buildings because they were constructed with durable materials. Stockholm's oldest building, the church Riddarholmskyrkan, was built during this period and remains a historical landmark with many of Stockholm's celebrated buildings, like Storkyrkan and the Stockholm City Museum.

              The city's development was strongly influenced by Germany for several decades. Many of the city's inhabitants were also of German descent.

Because of some attacks from Danish provinces on Stockholm during the 14th century, Gamla Stan fortress  was built. The city structures were built out of wood except the Cathedral Storkyrkan and a tower called "Three Crowns" which were more monumental. During the 16th century, the city was rebuilt and developed further in the next centuries.

              By the end of the 17th century, Stockholm had changed once more, knights, Royal emissaries, and merchants rich enough, had palaces and large castles constructed, such as the House of the Knights, and the Royal Palace. Stockholm then had several quarters, and immigration into the city increased.

In 1640, the right-angled streets network which still exists was created. Stone buildings and imposing late Renaissance-style palaces were erected, especially around the Royal Palace. They were inspired by German and Dutch architectures. 

During the 17th century and 18th century, foreign architects were recruited to build the city.

             Indeed, the king Gustav III (1746-1792) who played an important role in Stockholm's architecture, was keen on French theater and on French culture generally speaking. Therefore, he often went to Paris and spent time at the court of Versailles where he was influenced by Louis XVI's style. He also met architects there and asked them to come and design buildings in Stockholm. Thanks to Gustav III, the country's architecture reached tops and developed its very own style, the Gustavian style. Still inspiring contemporary artists, this style is characterized by symmetry, straight lines, clear colours : elegance ! 

The king's love for the theater is also at the origin of Stockholm's first opera's construction in Stockholm, the Royal Swedish Opera. 

              In the 19th century, thanks to the industrial revolution which made the country richer, the city was re-built and the old quarters were renewed. Many public buildings were erected, such as hospitals, railway stations and post offices. This increase in wealth is also marked by the Strandvägen avenue's construction.

During more recent periods Swedish architects often drew inspiration from their tours to Europe. 

           The 20th century’s architecture is particularly inspired by the United States of America.

Stockholm's historic buildings are largely conserved, possibly because the city escaped war destruction, suffered by so many other cities in Europe. Stockholm's infrastructure is in many ways connected to the buildings themselves. This period is a turning point for Stockholm. The "Swedish Grace" style, characterized by a slight classicism which takes roots in the 18th century rationalism, is developed. Architects use wood or metals, every detail gets its own importance. The Stadsbiblioteket, the city's public library, opened in 1928 and illustrates very well this movement. 

The interwar period is marked by the "funkis" style explosion. This movement consists in designing a very functional building, it is also a socialist movement. Gunnar Asplund, for instance, wanted to conceive the city so as to give to everyone "place in the sun". In this way, the movement left many well-thought compacted buildings. 

           Today, Stockholm's architecture is notably characterized by the environment care, as shown by the very recent Hammarby district. This place and the development of dense ecological houses in Stocholm let us hope and believe that ecology will play a more important role in the future...

The Norrmalm district