LIGHT NIGHTS, LAUREATES AND LISBETH

Stockholm waterfront

At this time of year the sun doesn’t go down in Southern Sweden until 2200 hours rising again at 0300 hours.  But it doesn’t get completely dark - those few night hours remain in twilight.

The Swedes must love summertime after the winter darkness - even the blue and yellow flag of Sweden represents a blue sky and yellow sun.

Modern Stockholm is one of the world's loveliest cities. Built across fourteen islands linked by boats and bridges, the city is awash with beautiful parks and public spaces.

Not to be missed was the panoramic sail into the City through the waterways of some of Stockholm’s 24,000 outer islands.  It was absolutely fantastic.  We watched the passing shoreline for hours.

The Landmark buildings in Gamla Stan's main square

Stockholm’s old town - Gamla Stan - with its narrow, cobbled streets and colourful gabled buildings dates back over 800 years.The 600 room Royal Palace is located here as well as the Nobel museum.

Bronze floor panel of Alfred Nobel set
in the entrance lobby of the Museum
bearing his name in Gamla Stan

Each Nobel Laureate's profile moves across the Museum's
ceiling - an unusual visual display that works really well

While Nobel’s invention of dynamite solved some problems it inevitably created others. 

By way of an atonement of sorts, Nobel’s Will stated that important ideas and discoveries from the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace would be annually recognized through an award from the revenues of his fortune. 

The Will also stipulated that the peace prize would be awarded by Norway in Oslo - a link back to the time when Sweden and Norway were united.

The Blue Hall - venue for the Nobel Banquet

More than 800 Laureates have received the Nobel Prize and the recipients make up an incredibly impressive list. The Nobel Museum located in the main square of Gamla Stan does a stellar job of illustrating the story.

Stockholm’s City Hall is a vast building with a series of eclectic architectural styles. It also hosts the annual Nobel Award banquet in the massive Blue Hall, which isn’t blue at all. 

Place setting a guest at the Nobel Banquet can expect

Looking at the Hall's impressive architectural style, it feels as though you are standing in the forecourt of a Venetian Palazzo, such is the feeling of space and grandeur. 

Upstairs, the Golden Hall with its spectacular 18 million gold mosaic tiles is the venue for the dance that follows the Nobel Award banquet.  The actual prize award ceremony takes place in the Concert Hall, a separate building in another part of town.

Wandering through Gamla Stan we were struck by that déjà vu feeling - some of the scenes in the Swedish movies made from Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series were filmed here.  We also recognized the building where Lisbeth Salander bought her apartment funded from the proceeds of her legendary computer hacking skills - unfamiliar?  Well you’ll just have to read the books!  

There's a lot to experience and learn in this beautiful city. Stockholm simply oozes charm and interest on so many levels.