Mai at Gamla Stan (The Old Town), Stockholm - Sweden

This is the original Stockholm city before it branched outside the wall. Most tourists would stay in this area unlike me the budget concious traveller. I chose to stay in the new town – right opposite central station for versatility . It took a leisurely walk to the old town. There are lots of local arts and crafts, galleries, cafes, souvenir shops along the alleyways. It has a lovely feeling.

I managed to explore and visit:

• Swedish Parliament building
• Riddarholmen (the island of the knights) – In this little island, I visited a really nice cast iron spire church (Riddarholmskyrkan).
• I managed to walk in the heart of the old town to their main square Stortorget (Great Square). The square is very pretty but it hid a dark past.  Christian II of Denmark beheaded 80 Swedish noblemen and displayed a pyramid of their heads in the square.
• Located in the square is the Swedish Stock Exchange – this is where the Swedish Academy meets to choose the Noble Prize winners in literature.
• Swedish Royal Palace and Storykyrkan where the royal christenings and weddings happen.
• Tyska Kyrkan – 17th Century German Church with baroque interior.
• Vasterlanggatan – Shopping street for tourists where you can get your swedish souvenirs

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