Royal Palace and Gamla StanThe official Swedish Royal residence is one of the largest and
most glorious palaces in Europe, dating from 1754 (although it was
built on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroque
edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many of
its 608 staterooms are open to the public all year round. Visitors
can admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Apartment of the
Orders of Chivalry, Gustav III Museum of Antiquities, the Kronor
Museum, and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the changing
of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday 12:15pm,
Sunday 1:15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the
similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Gamla
Stan itself is a treasure-trove of Swedish architecture from the
17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways, once notorious
for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, and admire
the 13th-century Cathedral, the Storkyrkan.
Address: Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan
Website: www.royalcourt.se
Telephone: (0)8 402 6000
Transportation: Metro stop Gamla Stan, or bus 2, 43, 55, 71 or 76 to
Slottsbacken station
Opening Time: Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday
to Sunday 12-4pm (26 September to 13 May). Royal Apartments may
close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of
His Majesty The King.
Admission: Combined ticket for the whole palace: SEK 140 adults,
SEK 70 children. |
