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Offered languages
- English
In this tour, we will journey back through the story of Stockholm and Sweden, from the fierce warriors of the Viking age to the brilliant minds behind the Nobel Prize and global icons like IKEA, H&M, and Spotify.
We delve into the captivating city of Stockholm and its marvellous landmarks, including the City Hall, the House of Nobility and the majestic Royal Palace. Prepare to be transported through the ages as we stroll along the narrow, charming alleys of the old town. It's like stepping into a real-life fairy tale!
This immersive narrative traverses the ages, illuminating the lives of visionaries, kings, inventors, and modern IT pioneers. This isn't just a tour; it's an odyssey that unveils the very essence of Stockholm's evolution! This grand adventure through the ages comes full circle in a medieval cellar where you will imbibe the soul of the Vikings and Sweden itself with a glass of mead or beer.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Go downstairs, into the Gamla Stan metro station, underground. The guide will meet you in front of the "Pressbyrån" convenience store.
The tour ends in a medieval cellar restaurant.
Itinerary
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1
We talk about the early history of Stockholm and Sweden, from the ice age, through the Viking age until the first settlements on the islands. Chapter one of our story starts here! (We start the tour at Gamla Stan Metro station, inside/under ground, in front of the Pressbyrån kiosk.)
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
The story continues... Outside the Riddarholmen Church we will meet the presumed founder of Stockholm, Birger Jarl, or at least a statue of him. 1252 is the year when "Stockholm" was first mentioned in a written text that is preserved until today. Birger Jarl signed the paper...
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
We stop outside Riddarhuset, the House of Nobility, and look at the statue of Gustav Vasa, "the father of Sweden". Here starts Chapter two in our history about Stockholm and Sweden. Since Gustav Vasa 1523 marched into Stockholm, Sweden has been a sovereign state, never occupied by foreign powers. Gustav, after his father and between 80 to 100 other noblemen were killed in “The bloodbath of Stockholm”, organised an uprising against our southern neighbour who had taken control over Sweden. He also changed the religion in Sweden from Catholicism to Lutheran Protestantism.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Then we continue to the other side of Riddarhuset and talk about the heirs and heiresses of Gustav Vasa. The grandson of Gustav Vasa, Gustav II Adolf, was the "greatest" of our warrior kings. During his time as king, the Baltic Sea became almost an inland sea, surrounded by Swedish possessions.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
The predecessor of the parliament (riksdagen) was the “Riksdag of the Estates” (Ståndsriksdagen) where Nobility, Clergy, Burghers, Peasants met separately for discussions before meeting the King in the palace. Until its dissolution in 1866, the institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King. In 1866 a parliament with two chambers was introduced, but still without equal voting rights for all citizens. The first elections with general suffrage were held in 1921. This was after a long political struggle led by liberals and socialists.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Next stop at "Lejonbacken" on the north side of the Royal Palace. Here we start Chapter 3 of our story of Sweden. Peter the Great of Russia ended the Swedish dream of being a great power in Northern Europe. Karl XII, the last of our warrior kings is still pointing to the east (i.e. the statue is pointing), where he and his army, the Caroleans, first had some great victories but in the end, were defeated by Peter the Great in Poltava 1709. The age of Enlightenment, with growing interest in arts and science, influenced Sweden. Gustav III, an enlightened despot with a great interest in theatre, made several contributions in these fields.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Stockholm Old Town
Below the statue of Carl XIV Johan we continue the story about Sweden. This king, the first of the Bernadottes, was imported to Sweden from France in the beginning of the 19th century to win back what we lost to the Russians. Instead he put his efforts into diplomacy, building infrastructure and develop education! In 2014 200 years of peace was celebrated in Sweden. The industrial revolution, natural resources and great Swedish inventions created a foundation for a welfare state, and several entrepreneurs continued the development in the 20th and 21st centuries. !
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
The Nobel Price Museum is situated at Stortorget. The Swedish Royal Academies designate the winners of the most prestigious prices in many important fields of science and art. The tour ends close to the Royal Palace and in perfect timing to see the changing of the guards. The changing of the guards and the parade are popular tourist attractions. During the summer months, the parade marches or rides with the Music Corps through up to the Outer Courtyard of the palace.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
We will end the tour with a glass of mead or beer in a medieval cellar in one of the alleyways of Old Town.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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