Page 154 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

152  EX CURSIONS FROM ST OCKHOLM

the third that explores the
history of Vodka in Sweden
and its growing popularity.
Various handicrafts are
practised on the island,
including metalwork, weaving,
textile printing, wood-carving,
pot tery and glassmaking. There
is also an art gallery and an
outdoor theatre that, during the
summer months, hosts popular
theatre weeks for children.
The other three islands are
especially rich with bird-life,
and one of them, Libertas, has
Millesgården, home of the sculptor Carl Milles in the early 20th century Sweden’s last remaining gas-
powered lighthouse.
5 Millesgården 6 Fjäderholmarna
Herserudsvägen 30, Lidingö. 6 km (4 miles) E of Stockholm.
 Subway to Ropsten, then bus @ 53. g May–Sep from Nybrokajen
to Torsviks Torg, then follow the signs and Slussen.
to Millesgården. Tel 08-446 75 90.
Open May–Sep: 11am–5pm daily; With the inclusion of the
Oct–Apr: noon–5pm Tue–Sun. Fjäderholmarna islands in the
8 by appointment. 7 & - = Royal National City Park (see
∑ millesgarden.se p123) the city’s “green lung” has
ac quired a small part of the
Carl Milles (1875–1955) was one archipelago. The main island, Vaxholm Fortress, strategically sited on the
of the 20th century’s greatest Stora Fjäderholmen, is only a approach to Vaxholm
Swedish sculptors and the best 25-minute boat journey from
known interna tionally. From Nybrokajen or Slussen. 7 Vaxholm
1931 he lived for 20 years in the The island already boasted 25 km (16 miles) NE of Stockholm.
USA, where he became a prolific an inn in the 17th century, @ 670. g from Strömkajen and
monumental sculptor with conveniently sited for the Nybrokajen. Vaxholm Fortress and
works such as the Meeting of the archipelago islanders on their Vaxholm Fortress Museum: Tel 08-541
Waters fountain in St Louis and way to and from the city to 718 90. Open Jun: 12:15pm– 4pm
the Resurrection fountain in the sell their wares. The inn was daily; Jul–Aug: 12:15pm–5pm daily. &
National Memorial Park outside closed during World War II, ∑ vaxholm.se
Washington DC. In Stockholm when the area was taken over
visitors can see 15 of his public by the military, and landing The archipelago’s main
works, including the Orpheus was forbidden. community, Vaxholm, has been
fountain in front of Access to the public was a strategic point for shipping
Konserthuset (see p70). restored in the mid-1980s, since the 19th century. It is easily
In 1906 Milles bought land and the main island now offers reached by boat from Stockholm
on the island of Lidingö, on an attractive harbour, three on a delightful one-hour journey
which he built a house, restaurants and an ice-cream through the inner archipelago.
com pleted in 1908. He lived parlour as well as a tour of the Vaxholm has been inhabited
here with his wife until 1931, country’s first whisky distil lery, since the 16th century. In 1548
and also after his return from Mackmyra Distillery. There are Gustav Vasa ordered that the
the USA. In 1936 he and his also three museums, two of nearby island of Vaxholmen
wife donated the property to which are devoted to traditional should be fortified. Some 300
the Swedish people. and recreational boating and years later a new fortress was
Millesgården built here, but it soon lost its
covers 18,000 sq m military importance and was
(194,000 sq ft) in a used as a civil prison. Today the
series of terraces imposing citadel houses an
and in cludes Milles’ interesting military museum.
studios with originals Two of Stockholm’s best-
and replicas of his known architects have left
work. It has a magni- their mark on Vaxholm town.
ficent garden – a The 100-year-old law-courts’
real work of art in building was given its present
itself – and a fine The Fjäderholmarna islands – a popular summer excursion appearance in 1925 by Cyrillus
view over the water. just 25 minutes by boat from the city Johansson. On the headland

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