Götgatan
Encyclopedia
Götgatan is the name of one of the longest streets in central Stockholm
on the Southern Isle (Södermalm
) of the city. The street itself has existed since the 12th century, and has had its name since the 1640s.
At its northern end behind Stadsmuseum it connects to Södermalm Square at Slussen
, and it runs due south from there to the former toll position of Skanstull
and a high bridge (Skanstullsbron
) leading over to Globen Arena and mainland suburbs.
Götgatan passes spacious Citizen Square Medborgarplatsen
and one of Stockholm's first skyscraper
s popularly called (equivalent) the Scotscraper because until recently it housed Sweden's tax authority (scot being Old English for a form of tax, the base word still relevant for Swedish skatt). In a country known for high tax rates, the term Barescraper has also been used for the building, and for decades taxpayers would traipse along Götgatan and line up ceremoniously to file their income tax forms on the day they were due.
Greta Garbo
was born a block west of Götgatan, and there is a bust of her on the (newer) building. A square named for her is located a few blocks east along park-like Katarina Bangata. Also a block away in either direction are the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Stockholm Mosque
.
There are three Tunnelbanan subway stations along the street with two entrances for each.
The northernmost stretch of Götgatan runs southward up a steep slope from intersecting Hornsgatan (another long street that also begins there) and then descends to level off before Citizen Square. That portion is pedestrian, called Goth Street Hill (Götgatsbacken) and has become increasingly trendy in recent years. The Royal Dutch
Embassy is located there.
Otherwise Götgatan and all of the Southern Isle have long been known as a less pretentious and more relaxed – and so less fashionable – area than other parts of Stockholm. The area has been home to many struggling artists and artisans, and working-class residents. One of the areas oldest restaurants Den gröne Jägaren
opened in 1866 in a block still owned by the Catholic Church.
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
on the Southern Isle (Södermalm
Södermalm
Södermalm, often shortened to "Söder", is a district in central Stockholm. It covers the large island formerly called "Åsön". With a population of 99,685, it is one of the most densely populated districts of Scandinavia...
) of the city. The street itself has existed since the 12th century, and has had its name since the 1640s.
At its northern end behind Stadsmuseum it connects to Södermalm Square at Slussen
Slussen
Slussen is an area of central Stockholm, connecting Södermalm and Gamla stan. The area is named after the locks between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The locks themselves allow passage between these two bodies of water...
, and it runs due south from there to the former toll position of Skanstull
Skanstull
Skanstull is an area in Södermalm in Stockholm. Skanstull connects the traffic between the inner city and the south parts of Stockholm and its suburbs. Skanstull was originally the city’s southern toll station, but the toll station was removed in 1857....
and a high bridge (Skanstullsbron
Skanstullsbron
Skanstullsbron is a bridge in central Stockholm, Sweden. Overpassing the older bridge Skansbron, it connects the major island Södermalm to the southern district Johanneshov....
) leading over to Globen Arena and mainland suburbs.
Götgatan passes spacious Citizen Square Medborgarplatsen
Medborgarplatsen
Medborgarplatsen is one of the largest squares in Stockholm. It is located on Södermalm and is often colloquially referred to as "Medis". The square was once called Södra Bantorget , but was changed to Medborgarplatsen in 1940.The square is a common place for demonstrations...
and one of Stockholm's first skyscraper
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
s popularly called (equivalent) the Scotscraper because until recently it housed Sweden's tax authority (scot being Old English for a form of tax, the base word still relevant for Swedish skatt). In a country known for high tax rates, the term Barescraper has also been used for the building, and for decades taxpayers would traipse along Götgatan and line up ceremoniously to file their income tax forms on the day they were due.
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo , born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, was a Swedish film actress. Garbo was an international star and icon during Hollywood's silent and classic periods. Many of Garbo's films were sensational hits, and all but three were profitable...
was born a block west of Götgatan, and there is a bust of her on the (newer) building. A square named for her is located a few blocks east along park-like Katarina Bangata. Also a block away in either direction are the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Stockholm Mosque
Stockholm Mosque
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Mosque , commonly known as the Stockholm Mosque or the Stockholm Grand Mosque , is the largest mosque in Stockholm, Sweden. It is located at Kapellgränd 10, adjacent to the small park Björns trädgård, in the Södermalm district of Stockholm...
.
There are three Tunnelbanan subway stations along the street with two entrances for each.
The northernmost stretch of Götgatan runs southward up a steep slope from intersecting Hornsgatan (another long street that also begins there) and then descends to level off before Citizen Square. That portion is pedestrian, called Goth Street Hill (Götgatsbacken) and has become increasingly trendy in recent years. The Royal Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Embassy is located there.
Otherwise Götgatan and all of the Southern Isle have long been known as a less pretentious and more relaxed – and so less fashionable – area than other parts of Stockholm. The area has been home to many struggling artists and artisans, and working-class residents. One of the areas oldest restaurants Den gröne Jägaren
Den gröne Jägaren
Den gröne Jägaren is a pub and restaurant at Götgatan 64 in Södermalm, Stockholm. Sweden. It began at a small tavern in the 1600s at Sankt Paulsgatan, near Van der Nootska Palace...
opened in 1866 in a block still owned by the Catholic Church.
See also
- Geography of StockholmGeography of StockholmThe City of Stockholm is situated on fourteen islands and on the banks to the archipelago where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. The city centre is virtually situated on the water.- Islands and islets :- Lakes and watercourses :...