Page 116 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

114  M ALM ARNA & FUR THER AFIELD

Kungsholmen

Once best known for its handicrafts and small industries,
Kungsholmen changed in the late 19th century with the
emergence of new apartment blocks and institutional buildings.
By the early 1900s the area had a different status, exemplified
by Ragnar Östberg’s Stadshuset (City Hall) – Stockholm’s most
notable architectural project of the 20th century – and Carl
Westman’s majestic Rådhuset (Law Court). These were followed
by the elegant waterfront houses along Norr Mälarstrand. The
area has a high concentration of government buildings, but it
also offers many venues for entertainment and nightlife.
Stately buildings on Norr Mälarstrand line
the Riddarfjärden waterfront
Sights at a Glance Key 3 Norr Mälarstrand
1 Stadshuset Central Stockholm
(see pp116–17) Motorway Map 1 C3.  Rådhuset,
2 Rådhuset Major road Fridhemsplan. @ 40, 52.
3 Norr Mälarstrand Minor road When industries including
4 Rålambshovsparken textiles and dyeing left Norr
5 Västerbron Mälarstrand in the early 20th
6 Marieberg century, work began on
attractive location along the bay
Fridhemsplan S:T ERIKSGATAN FLEMINGGATAN SCHEELEGATAN exploiting Kungsholmen’s
of Riddarfjärden. Gradually an
DROTTNINGHOL MSVÄGEN
exclusive residential area
Stockholm C
ESSINGELE DEN E4 Thorildsplan NORR MÄLARSTRAND Rådhuset emerged. During World War II a
sculpture park was devel oped
HANTVERKAR GATAN
along the waterfront, where the
0 metres 1000 excursion boats and vintage
coasters are moored today.
0 yards 1000 Willow, poplar, alder and birch
trees thrive along the shoreline.
A pavilion with a summer café
1 Stadshuset his design, Westman drew inspi­ stands on pillars above the
ration from the Vasa Renaissance water. It was designed by Erik
See pp116–17.
of the 16th century and was Glemme, assistant to the city’s
probably influenced by Vadstena master gardener Holger Blom
2 Rådhuset Castle in southern Sweden. (b. 1906).
Rådhuset, with its prominent The architect of Stadshuset,
Scheelegatan 7. Map 2 A5.
 Rådhuset. @ 40, 52. tower, is one of the best exam­ Ragnar Östberg, designed Norr
ples of the National Romantic Mälarstrand 76. Cyrillus
In the early 20th century, style, but its solid scale also Johansson, Sven Wallander and
the intention was to build a shows Jugendstil influences. J Norberg were the architects
combined city hall and law The sculptors Christian Eriksson of Nos. 26, 28 and 30, where the
court, but the plans changed and the brothers Aron and figures on the gables above the
when two separate architectural Gustaf Sandberg were steps were created by the metal
competitions were launched. The responsible for the decoration, craftsman Ragnar Myrsmeden.
winning entry for which also includes There is much to see in the
Rådhuset (the law paintings by Olle small side streets, including the
court), was a design by Hjortzberg and scene­ façades of No. 5 Jacob Westins
Carl Westman (1866– paintings by Filip Gata (architect Harald Wadsjö)
1936), who became a Månsson and his and No. 9 Skillinggränd. The
leading exponent of workshop. Beside the original service­flat building at
the National Romantic staircase on the fifth No. 6 John Erikssongatan was
School along with floor is a copy of de signed by Sven Markelius, who
Ragnar Östberg (1866– Kopparmatte, the pillory was influenced by the ministe­
1945), architect of that once stood on rial couple Gunnar and Alva
Stadshuset. Building Stortorget in Gamla Myrdal. It is the first residential
began in 1911, and Stan. The original pillory building in the Functionalist
Rådhuset was opened Rådhuset, is at Stockholms Stads­ style typical of the 1930s to be
in December 1915. In exterior detail museum (see p129). listed as a heritage site.
For map symbols see back flap
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