Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
right). In fact, Stockholm exists because this is where Lake Mälaren meets
the sea. Traders would sail their goods from far inland to this point, where
they'd meet merchants who would ship the goods south to Europe. In the
13th century, the new Kingdom of Sweden needed revenue, and began levy-
ing duty taxes on all the iron, copper, and furs shipped through here. From the
bridge, you may notice a current in the water, indicating that the weir has been
lowered and water is spilling from Lake Mälaren (about two feet above sea
level) into the sea. Today, the locks are nicknamed “the divorce lock” because
this is where captains andfirst mates learn tocommunicate underpressure and
in the public eye.
Survey the view. Opposite Gamla Stan is the island of
Södermalm
—bo-
hemian, youthful, artsy, and casual—with its popular Katarina viewing plat-
cruise ships, which bring thousands of visitors into town each day during the
season. Many of these boats are bound for Finland. The old steamer
Patricia
(seeitstwowhitemasts,200orsoyardstowardSödermalm)isalocalfavorite
inge is the Gröna Lund amusement park's free-fall ride. The revolving
Djur-
gården Färjan
sign marks the ferry that zips from here directly to Gröna Lund
and Djurgården. The equestrian statue is Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, the French
nobleman invited to establish the current Swedish royal dynasty in the early
1800s.
You could catch bus #2, which heads back downtown (the stop is just bey-
ond Bernadotte, next to the waterfront). But better yet, linger longer in Gamla
Stan—day or night, it's a lively place to enjoy. Västerlånggatan, Gamla Stan's
main commercial drag, is a festival of distractions that keeps most visitors
from seeing the historic charms of Old Town—which you just did. Now you
can window-shop and eat (see “Eating in Stockholm”). Or, if it's late, find
some live music (see “Nightlife in Stockholm”).
• For more sightseeing, consider the other sights in Gamla Stan or at the Roy-
al Palace (all described later, under “Sights in Stockholm”). If you contin-
ue back up Västerlånggatan (always going straight), you'll reach the Parlia-
ment building and cross the water back over onto Norrmalm (where the street
