Page 62 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

60  ST OCKHOLM AREA B Y AREA

1753. In 1730 the build ing
became the property of the city
and served as the City Hall until
1915. After that, there was little
interest taken in the palace until
renovation planned by the
architect Ivar Tengbom was
begun in the late 1940s. It had
even been suggested that the
building should be demolished,
but public opinion ensured
that it remained intact.
Riddarhuset, built in the 17th century in lavish Dutch Baroque style
i Riksdagshuset
y Riddarhuset double staircase, which leads up
to the Knights’ Room. This has a Riksgatan 3A. Map 4 B2. Tel 08-786 40
Riddarhustorget 10. Map 4 A3. 00.  Gamla Stan. @ 3, 53.
Tel 08-723 39 90.  Gamla Stan. masterly ceiling painting by David Open tours & meetings in the
@ 3, 53. Open 11am–noon Klöcker Ehrenstrahl (1628–98) and Chamber. 8 ring for details on tours
Mon–Fri. & 8 by arrangement. Riddarhuset’s foremost treasure, a of the building & art works. 7 =
∑ riddarhuset.se sculpted ebony chair that dates ∑ riksdagen.se
from 1623. The walls are covered
Often regarded as one of by some 2,320 coats of arms. The Parliament Building
Stockholm’s most beautiful (Riksdagshuset) and State
buildings, Riddarhuset u Bondeska Bank (Riksbank) on Helge ands-
(House of Nobility) stands holmen were inaugurated in
on Riddarhustorget, which as Palatset 1905 and 1906 respectively.
late as the mid-19th century Riddarhustorget 8. Map 4 B3. Since 1983, when Parliament
was still the city’s centre.  Gamla Stan. @ 3, 53. Closed to returned here after 12 years at
Built in 1641–7 on the initiative the public. Sergels Torg, the two buildings
of the State Chancellor, it was have been combined and
designed by the architects Simon The seat of the Supreme Court enlarged. Parliament also
and Jean de la Vallée, Heinrich since 1949, the Bonde Palace occupies five premises in Gamla
Wilhelm and Justus Vingboons. was created in 1662–73 by Stan. All the buildings are
The nobility, whose privileges architects Jean de la Vallée and connected by underground
were granted in 1280, then Nicodemus Tessin the passages and together amount
had a base for meet ings Elder in the style of a to 130,000 sq m (1,400,000 sq
and events. The building French town house. The ft), with a staff force of about
is still used as a focal year previously, the 600, plus 300 in the political
point for the nobility, State Treasurer Gustav parties’ offices.
hosting the triennial Bonde had bought Parliamentary debates can
Assembly of Nobles. the site opposite be watched from the public
The building is a The motto at Riddarhuset to build a gallery, which holds up to
supreme example of Riddarhuset palace with the idea of 500 spectators. There are guided
Dutch Baroque design renting out most of it. tours of the buildings every
and colouring. Over the entrance Since then the Bonde Palace day during the summer and
on the northern façade is the has had several owners and was only at weekends in winter.
nobility’s motto Arte et Marte (Art damaged by fires in 1710 and Visitors should use the public
and War) with Minerva, Goddess entrance at Riksgatan 3A.
of Art and Science, and Mars, From the gallery level is a
God of War, on either side. striking view from as far as
The sculptures on the Gustav Adolfs Torg to Riddar-
vaulted roof symbolize the holmen. The main chamber
knightly virtues. On the south has benches of Swedish birch
side is Nobilitas (Nobility) hold ing and wall panelling in Finnish
a small Minerva and spear. She is birch, carved in Norway. A
flanked by Studium (Diligence) large tapestry, Memory of a
and Valor (Bravery). Facing the Landscape (1983), by Elisabeth
north is the male equivalent, Hasselberg-Olsson, covers
Honor, flanked by Prudentia (Prud- 54 sq m (581 sq ft) of wall,
ence) and Fortitudo (Strength). weighs 100 kg (220 lb) and
The interior is equally took 3,500 hours to make.
impressive. The lower hall is Bondeska Palatset, now the seat of the The old two-chamber
dominated by a magnificent Supreme Court Parliament’s beautifully

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