Gamla Stan

	Both of us love the older parts of European cities, and Stockholm has one of the best - Gamla Stan or "Old Town". Narrow cobblestone streets, some twisting and turning (in the older eastern part) and some laid out in a regular grid (the newer western part), all containing a great mixture of shops and restaurants. We learned through our many museum visits that what you see in Gamla Stan today are the brick and stone replacements of the wooden originals, built upon the same foundations as the originals, however. Often the only places to see traces of the originals are in the basements of the present buildings.

Gamla Stan is on an island between Lake Mälaren to the left, and the Saltsjö (Baltic) to the right, a perfect place to establish and maintain control over boat traffic between the Baltic (and beyond) and the interior of Sweden.

Restaurants, pubs and shops were generally busy and crowded. We did get on a Sunday afternoon and missed some of the crowds, but generally the place thronged with people from around the world.

	This is an arch over a narrow street formed from a bridge between two buildings at the second floor level.

We love architectural details like doors and windows and the carvings and decorations that go along with them. This is one of about a thousand great doorways we saw!

	Detail (keystone) from a doorway in Gamla Stan.

One of the many shopping streets in Gamla Stan - this little boy was trying to talk to the carved footman in front of this store.

	The largest of several squares in the middle of Gamla Stan, this one is called Stortoret or "The Great Square".

Detail from the fountain in "The Great Square".


Streets leading away from one of several squares in the middle of Gamla Stan. This one is called Köpmantoret or "The Merchant Square".

Near the quay in the east side of Gamla Stan island is a fine restaurant and brew pub, just right for a break after a few hours of sight seeing.

	Statue of St. George slaying a dragon; this is a copy of the original, made from metal, wood, and antlers, in one of the nearby churches.

View to the west towards Riddarholm island, with the spire of Riddarholm Church in the background. This island is separated from Gamla Stan island by a narrow canal.