Riddarhustorget
Encyclopedia
Riddarhustorget is, arguably, a public square
in Gamla stan
, the old town in central Stockholm
, Sweden
, named after its location in front of House of Knights
(Riddarhuset).
The present square, largely occupied by the through traffic to and from Munkbroleden
and Vasabron
, and surrounded by old palaces occupied by modestly extrovert state-level offices, is the faint remains of what use to be the centre of Swedish politics; the palace of the Swedish nobility
standing face to face with the emergent Liberal
press, the entire scene using the idyllic eastern canal as a backdrop.
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A product of the redesign of the western parts of the city in the early 17th century, the square first appears in historical records as Riddare huuss platzen ("Knight's House Space", 1641), and Riddarehuus Torget (1662). In 1765, the nobility decided to transfer the southern premises of their lot to the city for the enlargement of the open space in front of the palace, and had the statue of King Gustav Vasa
placed in the middle of it. When the square was redesigned in 1914-1916, the statue was moved to its present location immediately in front of the palace.
Increasing traffic loads during the early 20th century, resulted in over 20 proposals for a long bridge passing through central Stockholm over Gamla stan. Discussions in 1930 ending up in a temporary solution, by its customers dubbed Slingerbultsleden ("Dodge Route"), leading the north-bound through traffic around Riddarhustorget by means of two bridges to and from Riddarholmen. By the end of the 1950s, the southern bridge of the present more permanent solution Centralbron
was completed, a few years later accompanied by its northern extension.
stretching over Riddarholmskanalen and the motorway Centralbron
to the islet Riddarholmen
and some prominent buildings there, including Riddarholmskyrkan
and a few of the palaces.
On the eastern side, the street Myntgatan
passes between the arcades of two of the buildings of the Parliament
, Kanslihuset ("Chancellery House") and Kanslihusannexet ("Annex of the Chancellery House") over to Mynttorget
.
On the southern side of Riddarhustorget, the alley Storkyrkobrinken
leads up to the Stockholm Cathedral
and the Royal Palace
, while the street Stora Nygatan
passes through the western part of the old town and Munkbroleden
leads along the western waterfront past the neighbouring square Munkbron
.
North of the square the alleys Rådhusgränd
and Riddarhusgränd
connects to the cast iron bridge Vasabron
from the 1870s.
Several prominent palaces are located around Riddarhustorget:
Occupying the northern side of the square and still dominating its environment is the House of Knights (Riddarhuset), a Swedish equivalent to the British House of Lords
. While the building was begun by the French-born architect Simon de la Vallée in 1641 (a year before his dramatic death), the façade is largely the work of the Dutch architect Justus Vingboons
(1620-1698) in 1652-1656, and the original roof the design of the son of the former Jean de la Vallée
(1620-1696) in 1656-1674, the entire composition completed by Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz
(1716-1796) in 1762. The entire composition reflects the decreasing influence of Swedish nobility during the transition from the era of Swedish Empire
to the Age of Liberty; the original intentions, including towers on the corners and wings, reduced to the present Corinthian
pilaster
s projected on a plain bricked wall, centred on the temple gable motif. Before the small garden in front of the palace was created to the design of Isak Gustaf Clason
(1856-1930) in the 1910s, Riddarhuset formed the scenic background for what was the country's political centre. In front of the building stands the statue of King Gustav Vasa
.
East of the House of Knights is the Bonde Palace (Bondeska palatset), arguably the most prominent monument of the era of Swedish Empire
. It was originally created as the private residence of Gustaf Bonde
(1620-1667) in the 1660s to the design by Jean de la Vallée
and Nicodemus Tessin the Elder
, however overtaken by the city in the early 18th century to serve as a city hall until the early 20th century and since WW2 accommodating the Supreme Court
. The Ionic
pilaster
s of the main building still reflects the original design, while the top floor and roof are from the 17th century. The building has been destroyed by fire on several occasions and was much neglected during the 18th and early 19th centuries, but post-WW2 restorations have been focused on giving prominence to the oldest features of the building, today given the status as an historical monument of national interest.
. Following the death of Sackenhielm, the property was taken over by Johan Bergstrahl, who, except giving parts of the block their present names, raised the activities in the buildings to an unprecedented level, introducing social clubs, newspapers and café's. Today the building is occupied by the Supreme Court
and the Labour Court.
Public Square
Public Square is the central plaza in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It takes up four city blocks; Superior Avenue and Ontario Street cross through it. Cleveland's three tallest buildings, Key Tower, 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower, face the square...
in Gamla stan
Gamla stan
Gamla stan , until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna , is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. The surrounding islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen, and Strömsborg are officially part of, but not colloquially included in, Gamla stan...
, the old town in central Stockholm
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...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, named after its location in front of House of Knights
Swedish House of Knights
The Swedish House of Nobility maintains records and acts as an interest group on behalf of the Swedish nobility.-Name:The name means either the corporation of the Swedish nobility or the palace of the nobility....
(Riddarhuset).
The present square, largely occupied by the through traffic to and from Munkbroleden
Munkbroleden
Munkbroleden is a densely trafficked street passing along the western waterfront of Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden...
and Vasabron
Vasabron
Vasabron is a bridge over Norrström in central Stockholm, Sweden connecting Norrmalm to Gamla stan, the old city....
, and surrounded by old palaces occupied by modestly extrovert state-level offices, is the faint remains of what use to be the centre of Swedish politics; the palace of the Swedish nobility
Swedish nobility
The Swedish nobility were historically a legally and/or socially privileged class in Sweden, part of the so-called frälse . Today, the nobility is still very much a part of Swedish society but they do not maintain many of their former privileges...
standing face to face with the emergent Liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
press, the entire scene using the idyllic eastern canal as a backdrop.
History
Gustav I of Sweden
Gustav I of Sweden, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known simply as Gustav Vasa , was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death....
placed in the middle of it. When the square was redesigned in 1914-1916, the statue was moved to its present location immediately in front of the palace.
Increasing traffic loads during the early 20th century, resulted in over 20 proposals for a long bridge passing through central Stockholm over Gamla stan. Discussions in 1930 ending up in a temporary solution, by its customers dubbed Slingerbultsleden ("Dodge Route"), leading the north-bound through traffic around Riddarhustorget by means of two bridges to and from Riddarholmen. By the end of the 1950s, the southern bridge of the present more permanent solution Centralbron
Centralbron
Centralbron is one of the major traffic routes in central Stockholm, Sweden, connecting the northern district Norrmalm to the southern Södermalm....
was completed, a few years later accompanied by its northern extension.
Setting
On the western side of the square is a scenic view of the bridge RiddarholmsbronRiddarholmsbron
Riddarholmsbron is a bridge in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden, leading from the square Riddarhustorget on Stadsholmen to the smaller neighbouring island Riddarholmen.- Wooden bridges :...
stretching over Riddarholmskanalen and the motorway Centralbron
Centralbron
Centralbron is one of the major traffic routes in central Stockholm, Sweden, connecting the northern district Norrmalm to the southern Södermalm....
to the islet Riddarholmen
Riddarholmen
Riddarholmen is a small islet in central Stockholm, Sweden. The island forms part of Gamla Stan, the old town, and houses a number of private palaces dating from the 17th century...
and some prominent buildings there, including Riddarholmskyrkan
Riddarholmskyrkan
The Riddarholmen Church is the burial church of the Swedish monarchs. It is located on the island of Riddarholmen, close to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. The congregation was dissolved in 1807 and today the church is used only for burial and commemorative purposes. Swedish monarchs from...
and a few of the palaces.
On the eastern side, the street Myntgatan
Myntgatan
Myntgatan is a street in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching west from Mynttorget over to Riddarhustorget, it is crossed by the streets Salviigränd, Rådhusgränd, Riddarhusgränd, and Storkyrkobrinken....
passes between the arcades of two of the buildings of the Parliament
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
, Kanslihuset ("Chancellery House") and Kanslihusannexet ("Annex of the Chancellery House") over to Mynttorget
Mynttorget
Mynttorget is a public square in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden.- Setting :From the square the bridge Stallbron leads over to the Parliament island Helgeandsholmen; to the west the street Myntgatan leads to Riddarhustorget, while the quay Kanslikajen stretches along the...
.
On the southern side of Riddarhustorget, the alley Storkyrkobrinken
Storkyrkobrinken
Storkyrkobrinken is a street in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden.Leading from Högvaktsterrassen near the Royal Palace down to Myntgatan and Riddarhustorget it forms a parallel street to Salviigränd and Stora Gråmunkegränd and is crossed by Trångsund, Prästgatan, and...
leads up to the Stockholm Cathedral
Storkyrkan
Sankt Nikolai kyrka , most commonly known as Storkyrkan and Stockholms domkyrka , is the oldest church in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is an important example of Swedish Brick Gothic...
and the Royal Palace
Stockholm Palace
The Stockholm Palace is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. . Stockholm Palace is located on Stadsholmen , in Gamla Stan in the capital, Stockholm...
, while the street Stora Nygatan
Stora Nygatan
Stora Nygatan is a street in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden.Old names : nyegatun , nyia gaatan, den nya Konnungsgatun, stora konungsgatun , den store Nye gatan , Konnungsgatun , Nye gaten, KongsGaten , Kongs- eller stoora Nygatan, stora Kongs- el' Nygatan , Stora...
passes through the western part of the old town and Munkbroleden
Munkbroleden
Munkbroleden is a densely trafficked street passing along the western waterfront of Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden...
leads along the western waterfront past the neighbouring square Munkbron
Munkbron
Munkbron is a public square on the western waterfront of Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Connected to the square are Stora Gråmunkegränd, Gåsgränd, Lilla Nygatan, Yxsmedsgränd, and Munkbrogatan; while the traffic route Munkbroleden separates it from the canal...
.
North of the square the alleys Rådhusgränd
Rådhusgränd
Rådhusgränd is an alley in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching from the junction between the street Myntgatan and the square Riddarhustorget, and passing between the Bonde Palace and Kanslihuset , it leads north to the bridge Vasabron, while forming a parallel street...
and Riddarhusgränd
Riddarhusgränd
Riddarhusgränd is an alley in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching north from the square Riddarhustorget to the bridge Vasabron, it passes between the Swedish House of Knights and the Bonde Palace forming a parallel street to Rådhusgränd...
connects to the cast iron bridge Vasabron
Vasabron
Vasabron is a bridge over Norrström in central Stockholm, Sweden connecting Norrmalm to Gamla stan, the old city....
from the 1870s.
Several prominent palaces are located around Riddarhustorget:
House of Knights
Occupying the northern side of the square and still dominating its environment is the House of Knights (Riddarhuset), a Swedish equivalent to the British House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. While the building was begun by the French-born architect Simon de la Vallée in 1641 (a year before his dramatic death), the façade is largely the work of the Dutch architect Justus Vingboons
Justus Vingboons
Justus Vingboons was an Amsterdam architect. He was the brother of the better-known architect Philips Vingboons. Like his brother, Justus built in the "Dutch Classicism" style....
(1620-1698) in 1652-1656, and the original roof the design of the son of the former Jean de la Vallée
Jean De la Vallée
Jean de la Vallée was a French-born architect, who lived and worked in Sweden. He was the son of Simon de la Vallée, who was killed by a Swedish nobleman in 1642. The father had started the planning of the House of Knights in Stockholm, and in 1660 his son finished his father's work...
(1620-1696) in 1656-1674, the entire composition completed by Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz
Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz
Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz was a Swedish architect and civil servant. Adelcrantz's style developed from a rococo influenced by Carl Hårleman, the leading architect in Sweden in the early years of his career, to a classical idiom influenced by the stylistic developments in France in the mid-to-late...
(1716-1796) in 1762. The entire composition reflects the decreasing influence of Swedish nobility during the transition from the era of Swedish Empire
Swedish Empire
The Swedish Empire refers to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721 . During this time, Sweden was one of the great European powers. In Swedish, the period is called Stormaktstiden, literally meaning "the Great Power Era"...
to the Age of Liberty; the original intentions, including towers on the corners and wings, reduced to the present Corinthian
Corinthian order
The Corinthian order is one of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The other two are the Doric and Ionic. When classical architecture was revived during the Renaissance, two more orders were added to the canon, the Tuscan order and the Composite order...
pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s projected on a plain bricked wall, centred on the temple gable motif. Before the small garden in front of the palace was created to the design of Isak Gustaf Clason
Isak Gustaf Clason
Isak Gustaf Clason was a Swedish architect.- Biography :Clason studied engineering and later architecture at the Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he was a student of A. T. Gellerstedt, and later at the architectural school of the Academy of Arts, at the time headed by Fredrik Wilhelm...
(1856-1930) in the 1910s, Riddarhuset formed the scenic background for what was the country's political centre. In front of the building stands the statue of King Gustav Vasa
Gustav I of Sweden
Gustav I of Sweden, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known simply as Gustav Vasa , was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death....
.
Bonde Palace
East of the House of Knights is the Bonde Palace (Bondeska palatset), arguably the most prominent monument of the era of Swedish Empire
Swedish Empire
The Swedish Empire refers to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721 . During this time, Sweden was one of the great European powers. In Swedish, the period is called Stormaktstiden, literally meaning "the Great Power Era"...
. It was originally created as the private residence of Gustaf Bonde
Gustaf Bonde
Baron Gustaf Bonde was a Swedish statesman. He was a persistent advocate of a pacifist policy at a time when war on the slightest provocation was the watchword of every Swedish politician....
(1620-1667) in the 1660s to the design by Jean de la Vallée
Jean De la Vallée
Jean de la Vallée was a French-born architect, who lived and worked in Sweden. He was the son of Simon de la Vallée, who was killed by a Swedish nobleman in 1642. The father had started the planning of the House of Knights in Stockholm, and in 1660 his son finished his father's work...
and Nicodemus Tessin the Elder
Nicodemus Tessin the Elder
Nicodemus Tessin the Elder was an important Swedish architect.-Biography:Nicodemus Tessin was born in Stralsund in Pomerania and came to Sweden as a young man. There he met and worked with the architect Simon de la Vallée...
, however overtaken by the city in the early 18th century to serve as a city hall until the early 20th century and since WW2 accommodating the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Sweden
The Supreme Court of Sweden is the supreme court and the third and final instance in all civil and criminal cases in Sweden. Before a case can be decided by the Supreme Court, leave to appeal must be obtained, and with few exceptions, leave to appeal can be granted only when the case is of...
. The Ionic
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s of the main building still reflects the original design, while the top floor and roof are from the 17th century. The building has been destroyed by fire on several occasions and was much neglected during the 18th and early 19th centuries, but post-WW2 restorations have been focused on giving prominence to the oldest features of the building, today given the status as an historical monument of national interest.
Ryning Palace
The Ryning Palace (Ryningska palatset), located south of the square, was begun by the capable Erik Ryning in the 1640s to the design of Simon de la Vallée. As the architect died within only a year, however, large parts of the palace were not completed until 1770, many years after the death of the original proprietor and in an apparently different style than the older parts. The new proprietor Gottfried Sackenhielm used part of his palace to run a tavern and a brothel, frequently visited by many notable men of the era, including the still popular troubadour Carl Michael BellmanCarl Michael Bellman
was a Swedish poet and composer. Bellman is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a very important influence in Swedish music, as well as in Scandinavian literature in general, to this day....
. Following the death of Sackenhielm, the property was taken over by Johan Bergstrahl, who, except giving parts of the block their present names, raised the activities in the buildings to an unprecedented level, introducing social clubs, newspapers and café's. Today the building is occupied by the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Sweden
The Supreme Court of Sweden is the supreme court and the third and final instance in all civil and criminal cases in Sweden. Before a case can be decided by the Supreme Court, leave to appeal must be obtained, and with few exceptions, leave to appeal can be granted only when the case is of...
and the Labour Court.
External links
- Visit-Stockholm.com - Virtual walk at Riddarhustorget (QTVRQuickTime VRQuickTime VR is a type of image file format developed by Apple Inc. for QuickTime. It allows the creation and viewing of photographically-captured panoramas and the exploration of objects through images taken at multiple viewing angles...
)