Page 69 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

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Built in 1641–7 on the initiative
of the State Chancellor, Riddar-
huset provided the knights
with a base for meetings and
events. The building is a
supreme example of Dutch
Baroque design by the
architects Simon and Jean de la
Vallée, Heinrich Wilhelm and
Justus Vingboons.
Over the entrance on the
northern façade is the knights’
motto Arte et Marte (Art and Riddarhuset, built in the 17th century in imposing Dutch Baroque style
War) with Minerva, Goddess
of Art and Science, and Mars, 1980s the two buildings were steps and balusters in various
God of War. combined and restored and a marbles. The present entrance
The sculptures on the modern extension built to was the Bank of Sweden’s main
vaulted roof symbolize the house a new, single debating hall until 1976.
knightly virtues. On the south chamber. The chamber is truly
side is Nobilitas (Nobility) Nordic in its decoration with
holding a small Minerva and benches of Swedish birch and y Medeltids-
spear. She is flanked by Studium wall-panelling in Finnish birch. museet
(Diligence) and Valor (Bravery). A large tapestry, Memory of a
Facing the north is the male Landscape (1983), by Elisabeth Strömparterren, Norrbro. Map 3 B2.
equivalent, Honor, flanked Hasselberg-Olsson, covers 54 sq Tel 08-508 316 20.  Kungsträd-
gården. @ 53, 65. Open noon–5pm
by Prudentia (Prudence) and m (581 sq ft) of wall and took Tue–Sun (to 8pm Wed). 8 9 =
Fortitudo (Strength). 3,500 hours to make. 7 ^ ∑ medeltidsmuseet.
Inside, a magnificent double Parliamentary debates can be stockholm.se
staircase leads up to the Knights’ watched from the public gallery.
Room. This has a painted ceiling The original two-chamber This fascinating museum of
by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl Parliament is used for meetings medieval Stockholm is built
(1628– 98) and Riddarhuset’s of the majority party. around some of the
foremost treasure, a sculpted The former First capital’s archaeo-
ebony chair, 1623. The walls are Chamber has three logical remains,
covered with coats of arms. paintings by Otte mainly parts of the
Sköld (1894–1958); city wall that date
the other chamber from the 1530s. They
t Riksdagshuset contains works by were discovered in
Axel Törneman and 1978–80. Completely
Riksgatan 3 A. Map 3 B2. Tel 08- 786 Georg Pauli. Between
40 00.  Kungsträdgården. @ 3, 53, underground, the
65. Open tours & meetings in the the chambers is a Medieval stone head of dimly lit, atmospheric
Chamber. 8 daily in summer; 45 m (148 ft) long hall Birger Jarl at museum includes
weekends in winter; ring for details. with an elegant display Medeltidsmuseet finds evoking
= 7 ∑ riksdagen.se of coats of arms. The Stockholm’s early
Finance Committee meets history. Among them is the
The Parliament building in the oak-panelled library 22 m (72 ft) long Riddarholm
(Riksdagshuset) and Bank of surrounded by old prints and ship, dating from the 1520s,
Sweden (Riksbank) on Jugendstil (Art Nouveau-style) which was found off
Helgeandsholmen were lamps. Facing the Norrbro Riddarholmen in 1930.
inaugurated in 1905 and 1906 entrance is the original 1905 The museum provides a
respectively. In the 1970s and stairwell with columns, floor, 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 gallows with the tools of
the executioner’s trade. The city
has been recreated with a
church, harbour and a square.
Visitors can also see a 55 m
(180 ft) long section of the
original city wall, complete with
a skeleton which had been
The new Parliament building, with the older building behind concealed there.

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