Things to see and do Svealand

It is a paradise for naval history and model ship enthusiasts. Here are exhibited reproductions of magnificent three-masted ships from the 19th century, merchant sailing ships and other warships, modern submarines, cruisers from the beginning of the 20th century... Photos, navigation objects of all kinds and paintings retrace the history of Swedish and international navigation through the ages. Few explanations in English (none in French).

On Lake Mälaren, 49 km from Stockholm. Take the E 4 direction Arlanda and Uppsala, then in Märsta, take Route 263 Tourist Office: Stora Gatan 33 Tel (0) 8 592 806 50 - www.sigtuna.se

Sigtuna is one of Sweden's oldest cities. It was founded around the year 980 by King Eric Segersäll and his son Olof Eriksson Stötkonung, who created the first currency in Sweden in 995. It is a very pleasant excursion, with its charming streets lined with wooden house. Some Viking archaeological remains are exposed in the pretty Sigtuna Museum, located in Stora Gatan 55 and open daily from 12 to 16 h (entrance 20 Sek, 15 Sek for students). There is the famous "Viking of Sigtuna", a Viking head of a few centimetres, remarkably sculpted in an elk horn whose origin and function remains mysterious, as well as the coins of that time. It is also in Sigtuna that the greatest concentration of unfortunately stones is found in the world. You can rent boats (canoes, boats…) at Våffelbruket café in the port (Tel 592 508 00). For a coffee, stop at the Tant Bruns, Laurentiigränd 3.

It is a temple of cultures and traditions, of peoples and their rites of the 19th and 20th centuries. You will discover the ways of life through instruments, weapons, clothes, means of transport and other usual and ritual objects. You will see Indonesian masks, Chinese carnival costumes, an Inuit child's kayak, arrows and headdresses from Indian tribes, Beninese engravings... The sound and visual atmosphere allows you to immerse yourself in the different contexts.

A very beautiful museum, located in the bowels of Helgeandsholmen, under the old bridge (Norrbro), which will fascinate adults and children alike because it takes a playful look at history, from the ^13th century - when the city was founded on Stadsholmen - to the beginning of the ^16th century and Gustav Vasa's accession to the throne in 1523. A must for urban history buffs but also for those who want to discover the secrets of the Swedish capital's past.

This company offers several tours (commentaries are mostly in Swedish and English, ask before you buy the tickets). The historical tour takes you around the large island of Kungsholmen, passing by Långholmen and Reimersholme. The tour "Under Stockholm's Bridges" takes you around the islands of Södermalm, Djugården, Essingen and the Old Town, passing under several bridges that connect different parts of the capital. You can also take a tour along the royal canals or in the archipelago.

Riddarholmskyrkan (Knights' Church) is the only medieval church still visible in Stockholm. It houses the tombs of the kings of Sweden. It is here that Gustav II Adolf, Charles XII, Charles XIV John, Gustav V and their wives are buried. The coats of arms of the knights of the Royal Order of the Seraphim are also displayed here, and cover part of the walls of the building. The church, originally a Franciscan monastery, was built in 1280. Its bell tower overlooks the island of Riddarholmen.

In this baroque castle, one of the most famous in Sweden, rooms dating from its construction have been preserved in their original state. Here, Carl Gustaf Wrangel (1613-1676), potentate and big spender, and his wife Anna Margareta von Haugwitz (1622-1673), created a splendid residence. Coming from the aristocracy, they sought to understand the world by collecting art and antiquities as well as specimens of nature. The apartments house remarkable collections of paintings as well as furniture and textiles.

Visit Stockholm is the official tourist office of the city. Although you can't visit them directly, you can contact them by email, phone, Facebook or Instagram. You can contact them for information but also for good plans. The staff is very helpful and pleasant and responds quickly to all requests for information. They speak several languages, including French, so they will be able to inform you easily.

Rather well preserved, the ruins of these two churches built in the th century dominate the lake. They are the memory of Sigtuna, and are among the first stone buildings erected in the Mälaren Lake area. By all seasons, under the snow or under the spring sun, the rough stones and vaults have a typical charm and recall the ferveur of the Nordic peoples, freshly christianized, to honor God.

Following in the footsteps of one of four guides draped in black and wearing top hats, this nighttime walk (departure 7pm for English tours) takes you on a tour of the old city through its murders, mysteries, executions, diseases and ghosts... As you explore the dark streets and alleys that make up the old town, you'll get to see, touch and feel history! A one and a half hour tour, for the moment only in Swedish and English... For the exact schedule, please check the website.

Located inside Skansen, this wildlife park, which allows visitors to dive into the wild, has grown steadily since its inception in 1978 and now offers more than 200 species of animals such as monkeys, scorpions, parrots and frogs. The aquarium itself allows you to become familiar with all kinds of tropical species. It also has a breeding center for endangered monkeys.

Villa Waldemarsudde was originally the home of Prince Eugène (1865-1947), son of King Oscar II. Having moved to Paris in the 1880s to study art, the Prince was one of the leading landscape painters of his time, as well as a leading art collector, focusing on Swedish, Nordic and French art. Over the years and during his many travels, he began to acquire dozens of contemporary works, which are now on display in the museum for our enjoyment. The visit is in two parts.

The gallery. A large part of Eugène's personal collection. Here we find a jumble of the Prince's landscape creations, as well as numerous canvases by Swedish artists, the most famous of whom are Anders Zorn(La Frileuse, Sur le port d'Alger) and Carl Larsson(Karin et Biito).

The manor house. Built between 1903 and 1905, it is now almost entirely open to visitors. The rooms are still furnished as they were in Eugène's day, and decorated with works by artists such as André Lothe and Anders Zorn. Enjoy the superb view from the flower room! The other two floors are devoted to temporary exhibitions, featuring both ancient and contemporary artists. What's more, the flower-filled sculpture park that frames the museum offers a magnificent view of the channel that links Stockholm to the sea. An attraction not to be missed.

Located since 1999 near Gustav Adolf Square, next to the Opera House and opposite the Royal Palace, the Dance Museum is easily accessible via the Kungsträdgården or T-Centralen subway stations. It is a unique museum that exhibits collections of costumes and sketches of the Swedish Ballet, but also Chinese, African, Thai, Russian outfits and masks... Temporary exhibitions deal with various themes related to dance.

The prospect of a visit to the Army Museum may seem a little daunting. Yet this museum, near Östermalmstorg, is not just located in a former arsenal built in the ^17th century. It is designed to captivate visitors, taking them on a journey through the ages, from 800 AD to the present day. From the Vikings to the Swedish army's peacekeeping missions, from the Thirty Years' War to the Cold War, the museum offers an exhaustive and captivating exploration of military history. For greater visibility, each zone corresponds to a century, providing a clear and accessible chronology. Far from being a mere display of weapons and uniforms, the large permanent exhibition showcases the actors of warfare over the centuries, thanks to some very fine reconstructions (the mannequins are sometimes frighteningly realistic!) and a highly polished sound system, immersing visitors in the atmosphere of the different eras. Medieval warriors, lords, nobles, dragon soldiers, cavalrymen of the Northern War, executioners, artillerymen... all come to life in the museum. In a separate room, the trophies and flags of the armies defeated by Sweden are on display. Among them, an imposing Danish flag measuring no less than seventeen meters by seven! On the first level, you'll find the temporary exhibitions. An audioguide is available in English, enabling you to listen to the history of the museum's various objects.

The Östasiatiska Museet is the museum of Far Eastern antiquities. The museum specializes in Far Eastern cultures, and has about 100,000 objects from Asian cultures. The history of the museum dates back to the early 20th century, when prehistoric Chinese pottery was discovered. Spread over several rooms, the permanent collection contains weapons, tableware, sculptures, and furniture, tracing the cultural and religious evolution of the cultures in question. You can also see temporary exhibitions.

Waxholms Bolaget is a public water transport to the islands of the Baltic archipelago of Stockholm. Whether you are a visitor or a local, you can experience the beautiful scenery of the Stockholm archipelago. The services are part of the public transport system and run all year round, giving residents, businesses and visitors the opportunity to travel between the islands. No need to make a reservation: just turn up at the harbour and board the boat. The timetable changes according to the season.

Anders Zorn (1860-1920) is one of the most famous Swedish painters, and was certainly also the richest during his lifetime. This museum, which exhibits many of his works, is a feast for the eyes. The originality of this artist is to have approached various techniques with an equal talent in each. Pencil drawings, sculptures on bronze or wood, nude paintings, watercolors... This native of the city was undoubtedly one of the most gifted painters to highlight the characters of his paintings, and to reproduce the movements of the water. Simply magnificent!

The beautiful early 1960s brick museum building is located in the centre of Falun. It houses the permanent exhibitions. Dalarna is presented in a mixture of history and art, old and new. Favorite:

Folk paintings

inspired by dramatic tales with dragons or telling biblical stories. The painters used only fashion stereotypes as models.

The Dalarna horse room. Of all colors, from various periods, this collection is incredible.

Given the worldwide success of the thriller and its film adaptation, the City Museum has decided to follow suit and offers a tour that takes the visitor to the various key sites in the novel. It is also possible to obtain the map where these places are indicated and to carry out the walk at one's own pace, mainly in the Södermalm district where the heroes of the novel live, but also on Kungsholmen (central police station, agent Monica Figuerola's apartment...), and in Norrmalm (lawyer Nils Bjurman's office and apartment).

This village is a symbol of the history of industry and commerce in the country. A kitschy experience for some, exciting for others, the village consists of houses made entirely by hand in the Viking way. Torch, straw and wood. Dressed in period costumes, the inhabitants are busy in the shipyard, carving the bow of the last drakkar, or weaving leather shoes, tanning skins and sharpening arrows. Children can dress up.

This boat tour company dates back to 1809, on comfortable, vintage boats. Their top 5: a dinner on the water, a Christmas cruise, fresh shrimp cruises, brunch cruises, or the famous Royal Canal Tour with fika on board! The Christmas cruises are available in winter, and offer sailing around the Stockholm archipelago with an all-you-can-eat buffet. This tour is a classic because you can see the whole city lit up for the festivities! It is magical.

Surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lake Mälaren and located not far from the Parc aux biches nature reserve, Gripsholm Castle captivates visitors with its picturesque location. This architectural gem was built in the ^14th century during the reign of King Gustav Vasa, offering a fascinating immersion in Swedish history. Art and history enthusiasts will be delighted by the wealth of exhibits, highlighting the castle's evolution through the centuries. Not-to-be-missed rooms include Duke Karl's bedroom and Gustav III's theater.

The façade, in the shape of a Greek cross, evokes ancient temples. Inaugurated in 1906, this church has a quiet and spacious interior. The dome, decorated with a fresco depicting the transfiguration of Christ, provides a vast shaft of light. The four evangelists are represented at the intersection of the transepts. The altar was originally created to adorn the cathedral in Uppsala, but was finally installed here after a long stay at the Nordic Museum in Skansen.

At the bottom of the cellars of the Royal Castle, behind doors of remarkable thickness and under the watchful eye of the guards, sleep the treasures of the royal family since the times of Gustave Vasa. The museum is small and often filled. But take a look at the sword of Gustave Vasa and the royal crown of Sweden executed in Stockholm for the coronation of Erik XIV, in 1561.

On the island of Djurgården, roller coasters light up the Baltic. To dedicate an entire island to fun, only Stockholm could do it! At nightfall, passers-by crowd the opposite shore to contemplate the multicolored lights of the park and listen to the cries (of fear or joy) of those who have ventured on the Eclipse or the Insane. Attractions include carousels, raffles, shooting ranges, a haunted house, roller coasters and more to keep young and old alike entertained.

It is the largest church in Scandinavia. Gothic in style, with a renovated interior after the fire that ravaged it in 1702, it is a curious mixture of medieval architecture, Art Nouveau (most of the frescoes were done in the early ^20th century) and Baroque, with the largest pulpit in the country. Behind the altar lies King Gustav Vasa with two of his wives, in a majestic azure chapel. A chapel is also dedicated to St. Brigid.

Story Tours offers unique guided tours of the city, taking you on a journey through the history of Stockholm and Sweden in general. All the stories, facts and anecdotes told are related to the charming streets, historical buildings like the Old Town Market Square, the German Church, the narrow streets of Stockholm, the house that was once the home of two members of ABBA, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral. You can even enjoy a tour in French with Lydie. Follow the guide!

Originally, the pavilion was smaller and built of wood. Today, the building is made of stone and can be fully visited. Completed in 1769, it was extensively restored at the end of the ^20th century so that the public could visit it. This curious building is planted in the east of the gardens of Drottningholm. It is unique in its kind. At the end of the ^18th century, trade with China, via the East India Company in particular, allowed the Swedish monarchs to discover the beauty of porcelain and silk and to taste the tea of this distant empire, which they turned into a garden of Eden. Inspired by the observations of travelers and in particular the sketches of the architect William Chambers, Swedish painters and sculptors created "chinoiseries" which mixed Asian influences and the often distorted symbols of imperial China with typically European and Swedish ornaments.

The Green Room or Pleasure Room. Decorated with representations of nature and scenes of Chinese characters relaxing, covered with a pale green painting, this room overlooking the gardens was, with its windows open, a place where one could indulge in the pleasures of life: reading, music, and tea tasting.

The yellow and red rooms. Furnished and designed by William Chambers, these two rooms are almost twins. They contain Chinese calligraphy signs that mean... nothing!

Millesgården houses the major works of the renowned Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, who was also a discerning art connoisseur. His personal collections of Greek and Roman antiquities, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are worthy of the greatest interest. Temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year in this charming residence, whose terraces offer a vast view of Stockholm. A delightful café invites visitors to linger in front of a verdant garden where sculptures are reflected in the waters of the fountains.

Founded in 1792, the Nationalmuseum (then called Konglig Museum - Royal Museum) is one of the oldest museums in Europe dedicated to the fine arts. In 1866, it opened its doors to the public in its current form, housed in a building designed by the German architect Friedrich August Stüler.

Five years of work. Although the museum has undergone many changes over the course of its history, it is from 2013 onwards that the most important rehabilitation work will take place, lasting five years. When the museum reopens in 2018, visitors will discover a beautifully renovated space that is resolutely turned towards the future, with the aim of better preserving the works of the past. The collections have also been considerably enriched, and there are now no less than 700,000 works and objects, ranging from painting to design, drawing and engraving, that you can admire through a chronological display that will take you on a journey from the ^16th to the ^20th century. One of the major additions to the museum's collection is the Treasure Room, a room featuring part of the world's largest collection of miniature portraits (600 works visible out of the 5,700 in the collection). Design lovers will not want to miss a stop in the café and restaurant. Furniture, lighting, tableware... everything here has been created to order by the finest Swedish designers and craftsmen: a shining example of the country's know-how in this field!

On arrival, one is immediately impressed by the gigantic hole caused by a landslide in 1687, which can be better appreciated from a small observatory opposite the museum. This copper mine is one of the largest in Europe. It can be visited today, as its activity was stopped in 1992. Helmets and overalls are provided, then the long descent leads you into huge rooms dug by hand, then by machines for centuries, and along galleries and gutters that spread over 80 km!

This completely human amusement park offers everything that a park of attractions worthy of this name can offer! There are carrousels, raffles, shooting fields, restaurants, haunted house, a "funny" house, a "vampire train", a "lover" train, a papa train, pop-corn, clowns, big wheels, Russian mountains and lots of other things that can attract both children and others. The whole is a combination of pastel colours, light tubes and colorful light bulbs that create an atmosphere dedicated to children! It is even possible to find a small quiet corner close to the water for those who will have enough to queue, alas, before each attraction.

Here, just a stone's throw from Gustav Adolf Square, you can see the remains of several ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, with collections of objects dating back to 5,000 B.C. Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, the Roman and Greek empires, the Maghreb... The museum takes you into a fascinating past. The most striking points of the visit are undoubtedly the two Egyptian rooms with their magnificent sarcophagi and their human and animal mummies.

Located on the island of Skeppsholmen, ArkDes takes you on a journey of discovery of Swedish architecture and design through the ages. This place hosts a great permanent collection of many models, projections and plans of buildings of all kinds, built in Sweden or abroad by Swedish architects. The visit is not very long but is of real interest for the lovers of Scandinavian architecture, design and urbanism.

The largest private museum in Stockholm and also one of the most important contemporary art galleries in Sweden. It is owned by the powerful media empire of the Bonnier family, and was created on the initiative of Charlotte Bonnier in memory of her late daughter who studied art. The private collection of the family, for whom art has become a character trait, is on display. You will also find exhibitions of contemporary artists from all over the world.

Built on the site of the former convent of St. Clare founded in 1280, the present church dates from the ^18th and ^19th centuries. This beautiful red brick building, located in the heart of the modern center, is adorned with the most impressive (and probably the highest) bell tower in the city. Freshly renovated, it shoots a copper spire into the sky and houses the largest carillon in Stockholm. The southern façade is covered with ivy, giving the garden a poetic touch.

A church built between 1768 and 1774, renovated several times until 1997. It is worth a short stop for its neoclassical interior and its rococo ornaments, the fresco on its dome and the Descartes Monument, a sculpture by the artist Johan Tobias Sergel dedicated to the French philosopher who died in Stockholm after his stay at the Swedish Court during the reign of Queen Christine. In the cemetery surrounding the building lies the assassinated Prime Minister Olof Palme.

On the ground floor of the House of Culture (at the level of the large Sergels Torg fountain), a huge model of the city can be seen, on a scale of 1:10, which allows the visitor to see the amazing topography of the city and to better find his way around the city. The visitor can move around this very realistic, colourful and freely accessible reproduction. Illuminated displays point out the key places in Stockholm.

Discovered in the ^15th century, this silver mine was extracted until 1908, that is five centuries of activity! Today it is the property of the city of Sala and is a popular attraction in the region. Several guided tours are offered: one at 60 meters underground, another at 150 meters, and a combined tour. As a miner of the time, you will discover impressive rooms, lakes and underground waterways!

Drottningatan 85 was the last home of Sweden's most famous author. He moved there in 1908. He also rented a room on the seventh floor of the same building where he installed his library, which contained about 6,800 volumes. It was in the Blue Tower, so called because of the color of the staircase, that he wrote his last play The Great Road in 1909. 1910 and 1911 were the years of the "Strindberg quarrel", a quarrel over some 500 political articles in which he sided with the working class. And it was here that he received, on his 60th birthday, his first massive tribute from the working classes. Later, when it became clear that he would not receive the Nobel Prize, a collection was organized, which raised 45,000 SEK, and constituted a kind of anti-Nobel Prize of the people. This money was given to him on his ^63rd birthday, and on the evening of January 22, 1912, the workers of Stockholm formed a torchlight march from Odenplan to Tegnérslunden, with 20,000 people in attendance. Strindberg appeared on his balcony, lifted his top hat and gave thanks. He died a few months later, on May 14, and 60,000 people accompanied him to his final resting place. Strindberg's apartment has been reconstructed from eyewitness accounts and photographs of the time. For the sake of preservation, a visit to the apartment requires that you put on slippers to protect the original parquet floor.

Some Viking archaeological remains are on display in this beautiful museum. There is the famous Viking of Sigtuna, a Viking's head of a few centimeters, remarkably carved in an elk horn and whose origin and function remain mysterious, as well as coins of this time. Sigtuna is also home to the largest concentration of rune stones (stones engraved with the Viking script, the runes) in the world. In short, a nice visit for those who want to know more about the famous Vikings!

In the old town, just before the bridge that leads to Riddarholmen. Riddarhuset, or the Palace of the Nobility, was built between 1641 and 1674, in a German baroque style, by the French architect Simon de La Vallée, and later by the German Justus Vingboons. The building, apricot-colored, with white columns and ornate windows, still belongs to the Swedish nobility. It is guarded by the imposing statue of King Gustav Vasa, more than 5 m high!

The Vasaloppet race, launched in 1922, follows the route taken in 1521 by Gustav Eriksson, the future Gustav Vasa and first king of Sweden. On the run from the Danish king, he stopped in Sälen before returning to Mora to lead the uprising against the occupying forces. Since its inception, more than 1.7 million people have taken part in the race. The museum is located in front of the Vasaloppets Hus and tells the story of the famous ski race as well as the history of the country.

This is the home of the famous writer, Nobel Prize winner in 1909, who grew up in Värmland. You will discover, in a charming setting, the rooms that have remained intact, the library where many of the author's short stories were written. A guide will tell you the story of this woman through a visit of the place. The garden is also to be discovered. A café allows you to eat and drink a tea. A very interesting place.

It is an old stone bridge crossing the Östra Klarälven. Built in the ^18th century, it is remarkable for its style, made of a succession of twelve stone arches spanning the river. Previously, there were wooden bridges on the site, but they could not withstand the spring floods. Construction was to take four years, but it was not until 1797, after 32 years, that the bridge was inaugurated. Connecting the districts of Haga and Norstrand with its 168 m length, it is also the longest of its kind in Sweden.

This large area is a 25-minute walk from the centre (or by bus 5 from Stortorget) and is at the same time an open-air museum, a nature reserve and a farm. At the beginning of the century, the owner of the forest bequeathed his land to the city with the demand that it be preserved. The result is brilliant: just a stone's throw from the city is a centuries-old coniferous forest and a vast wetland where thousands of birds gather.