Page 63 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

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renovated rooms are now used o Medeltidsmuseum
for meetings of the majority Strömparterren, Norrbro.
party. The former Upper House Map 4 B2. Tel 08-508 317 90.
has three paintings by Otte  Kungsträdgården. @ 43, 62.
Sköld (1894–1958), and in the Open noon–5pm Tue & Thu–Sun;
other chamber there are works noon–8pm Wed. 8 7 ^ =
by Axel Törneman and Georg ∑ medeltidsmuseet.stockholm.se
Pauli, who realized Törne man’s
sketches after his death. The fascinating Medieval
Between the chambers is a Museum is built around
45-m (148-ft) long hall with an the capital’s archaeological
elegant display of coats of arms, remains, mainly parts of
paintings and chandeliers. The the city wall that date
Finance Committee meets in from the 1530s. They were
the old oak-panelled library The chamber where the 349 Members of found during intensive
sur rounded by old prints and Parliament meet archaeolog ical research in
Jugendstil lamps. 1978–80, which unearthed
Facing the old entrance at of marble. The present entrance a number of remarkable
Norrbro, the magnificent stair- was the State Bank’s main hall finds from Stockholm’s
well still retains its colouring from until 1976. It has magnificent medieval history.
1905. Other impressive survivors columns, too, made from polished Situated, for the most
from opulent days include eight granite, and some outstanding part, below ground level, the
columns, a floor, steps and paint ings from the Parliamentary museum also includes artifacts
balusters all in various types collection of 3,000 works. from other parts of the city.
Among them is the 22-m
(72-ft) long Riddarholm ship
that was discovered off
Riddarholmen in 1930 and
dates from the 1520s.
The museum provides a
good picture of Stockholm’s
early days. From the entrance,
a 350-year-old tunnel leads
into a reconstructed medieval
world. There is a pillory in
the square and the gallows
hill with the tools of the
executioner’s grisly trade.
The new Parliament building, with the older building behind The old harbour has been
rebuilt. Boathouses, complete
with salt barrels, seal skins
Parliamentary Wanderings
and dried fish, as well as
Sweden’s first Parliament was opened in the 1860s on Riddarholmen authentic nautical smells,
in the combined properties of Fleming House and Hebbe House. tell the story of fishing and
From 1835–65, commoners – priests, burghers and farmers – met in overseas trade. The spruce
Fleming House, which became known as the “House of Commons”, wreath hanging out side the
while the noblemen sat in nearby Riddarhuset. Situated behind wine cellar demonstrates that
Riddarholmskyrkan at Birger Jarls Torg 5, Fleming House was supplies of wine and beer have
constructed on the site of the Greyfriars abbey, after the monks were arrived from the Continent. The
forced to flee due to the Reformation in the 16th century (see p59), large house is built from 6,000
and remains of the huge abbey original bricks. The well-tended
can still be seen in the cellar. herb garden includes lavender,
A new base for Parliament, adapt- roses, tansy and sage. Herbs
ed for the needs of a two-chamber were important in the Middle
legislature, was inaugurated on
Helgeandsholmen in 1905. When a Ages for their medicinal quali-
single chamber was established in ties as well as their use in food.
1971, a lack of space meant that The museum runs regular
Parliament had to move to the themed exhibitions with a
newly built Kulturhuset (see p69) medieval emphasis and
on Sergels Torg. It returned to holds a programme of lectures
Helgeandsholmen in 1983 into and educational activities for
an extended and recon structed “Mother Svea” above the old children. The shop here sells
Parliament building. Parliament building books on the Middle Ages,
plus postcards and jewellery.

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