Page 110 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

108  ST OCKHOLM AREA B Y AREA

Västerbron bridge, opened in 1935, linking Kungsholmen with Södermalm across Lake Mälaren
l Västerbron to Södermalm by two bridges. Younger in 1685. It has been
Långholmen is best known used for various purposes over
@ 4, 77.
for the various prisons which the centuries, including law
As Stockholm expanded and have been located here since courts and dungeons, schools
car-use increased in the 1920s, 1724. During the 20th century and city-hall cellars, theatres
it became necessary to build an it was the site of the largest and churches, until in the 1930s
additional bridge between the prison in Sweden, housing it became the city museum.
northern and southern shores of 620 inmates. The prison The museum documents the
Lake Mälaren. German experts closed in 1975. history of Stockholm. The city’s
dominated the architectural The island has now become main stages of development
competition launched in a popular recreational area. are described in a slideshow
1930, but their plans were The prison buildings have all and a series of four permanent
implemented by Swedish been demolished, but the exhibitions. The first starts with
architects and engineers and former royal jail, dating from the Stockholm Bloodbath of
Västerbron bridge was com- 1835, remains. The one-time 1520 (see p64) and continues
pleted in 1935. Twenty years cells now form both a hotel through the 17th century. The
later it was broadened to and a prison museum. There eventful 18th century is
increase its capacity. is also a youth hostel and an illustrated with exhibits that
The attractive design blends excellent restaurant, as well include the Lohe Treasure –
well with the landscape. The as a museum to the poet 20 kg (44 lb) of silver discovered
bridge is built in two spans of C M Bellman (see p99) with a in Gamla Stan in 1937. The other
168 m (551 ft) and 204 m (669 ft) café in the gardens, which run sections depict industrialization
with a vertical clearance of 26 m down towards Riddarfjärden. in the 19th century and the
(85 ft). There are footpaths and Långholmen’s park has an tremendous growth in the 20th
cycle lanes on each side and a open-air theatre, and offers century with the emergence
walk to the centre of Västerbron excellent swimming both from of a new city centre and
is rewarded with a magnificent the beaches and the rocks. new suburbs.
view of central Stockholm. The museum is scheduled to
reopen in autumn 2017 with a
x Stockholms new exhibition focusing on the
Stadsmuseum stories of Stockholm. In the
meantime, visitors can go on
Ryssgården. Map 3 B5. Tel 08-508 316
00.  Slussen. @ 2, 3, 43, 53, 55, 76.
Closed for renovations until 2017.
8 9 - = 7 ^
∑ stadsmuseum.stockholm.se
Exercise yard in the former royal prison Hemmed in between the traffic
on Långholmen roundabouts of Slussen and the
steep hill up to Mosebacke Torg
z Långholmen is Stock holms Stadsmuseum
(City Museum). It is housed in
 Hornstull, then 10 min walk.
@ 4, 77. - 0 a late-17th-century building
originally designed by Tessin
Below the majestic Västerbron the Elder as Södra Stadshuset
bridge is the island of (Southern City Hall). After a fire, The 18th-century Lohe Treasure at
Långholmen, which is linked it was completed by Tessin the Stockholms Stadsmuseum
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp284–5 and pp294–5

108-109_EW_Sweden.indd 108 11/07/16 11:48 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm