Stockholm
On a sunny spring morning, this Swedish city is surely one of the most beautiful spots in the world, full of flowers, elegant buildings and sparkling waterways. The Swedes clearly know this; thousands were out on the streets and canals, taking full advantage of their lovely capital. We eagerly joined them.
Although not a Hanseatic city itself, Stockholm was the terminus of an important trading partnership that allied Sweden with the Hansa against Russia and the Danes. Stockholm’s location, built over 14 islands in the innermost part of the Swedish Archipelago, allowed it to control commerce moving from the Baltic into the interior of the country and today it makes this “City Between the Bridges” a particularly lovely place to visit.
We began our day by approaching the city just as early traders did, by small boat along the Djurgarden Canal. The banks of the canal, once a hunting park, are now open to the public and we spotted many joggers as well as nesting gray herons and smart-looking barnacle geese. Before long the city proper came into view, larger and larger buildings rising beside the water, until we were right in the ancient heart of the town.
After a quick breakfast we boarded the Zodiacs again for a short cruise to the Vasamuseet, final resting place of the fabulous 17th Century Vasa Warship. Walking into this building is a breathtaking experience as the completely intact ship looms above you like an oaken cliff. As your eyes adjust, you are next overwhelmed by the incredible ornamentation of the vessel and finally your attention is drawn into the many excellent exhibits detailing the history of the Vasa, her fate and her resurrection.
In the afternoon we joined the Swedes strolling through Gamla Stan, the oldest part of the city. We followed our guides through narrow alleys, past the dramatic sculpture of St. George and the Dragon and into quiet leafy courtyards, all full of wonderful historic details and the busy, happy life of a modern city.
On a sunny spring morning, this Swedish city is surely one of the most beautiful spots in the world, full of flowers, elegant buildings and sparkling waterways. The Swedes clearly know this; thousands were out on the streets and canals, taking full advantage of their lovely capital. We eagerly joined them.
Although not a Hanseatic city itself, Stockholm was the terminus of an important trading partnership that allied Sweden with the Hansa against Russia and the Danes. Stockholm’s location, built over 14 islands in the innermost part of the Swedish Archipelago, allowed it to control commerce moving from the Baltic into the interior of the country and today it makes this “City Between the Bridges” a particularly lovely place to visit.
We began our day by approaching the city just as early traders did, by small boat along the Djurgarden Canal. The banks of the canal, once a hunting park, are now open to the public and we spotted many joggers as well as nesting gray herons and smart-looking barnacle geese. Before long the city proper came into view, larger and larger buildings rising beside the water, until we were right in the ancient heart of the town.
After a quick breakfast we boarded the Zodiacs again for a short cruise to the Vasamuseet, final resting place of the fabulous 17th Century Vasa Warship. Walking into this building is a breathtaking experience as the completely intact ship looms above you like an oaken cliff. As your eyes adjust, you are next overwhelmed by the incredible ornamentation of the vessel and finally your attention is drawn into the many excellent exhibits detailing the history of the Vasa, her fate and her resurrection.
In the afternoon we joined the Swedes strolling through Gamla Stan, the oldest part of the city. We followed our guides through narrow alleys, past the dramatic sculpture of St. George and the Dragon and into quiet leafy courtyards, all full of wonderful historic details and the busy, happy life of a modern city.
