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Timeline of Stockholm history
Encyclopedia
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History of Stockholm
The history of Stockholm, capital of Sweden, for many centuries coincided with the development of what is today known as Gamla stan, the Stockholm Old Town...
.
Pre-history
- 750–790: The trade centre BirkaBirkaDuring the Viking Age, Birka , on the island of Björkö in Sweden, was an important trading center which handled goods from Scandinavia as well as Central and Eastern Europe and the Orient. Björkö is located in Lake Mälaren, 30 kilometers west of contemporary Stockholm, in the municipality of Ekerö...
is established on Lake MälarenMälarenLake Mälaren is the third-largest lake in Sweden, after Lakes Vänern and Vättern. Its area is 1,140 km² and its greatest depth is 64 m. Mälaren spans 120 kilometers from east to west...
(then part of the Baltic SeaBaltic SeaThe Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
) not far from Stockholm. - c. 975: Birka is abandoned.
- c. 1000: SigtunaSigtunaSigtuna is a locality situated in Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 18 inhabitants in 2005. It is the namesake of the municipality even though the seat is in Märsta....
emerges as the city dominating the Lake MälarenMälarenLake Mälaren is the third-largest lake in Sweden, after Lakes Vänern and Vättern. Its area is 1,140 km² and its greatest depth is 64 m. Mälaren spans 120 kilometers from east to west...
region. - 1247: Battle of SparrsätraBattle of SparrsätraThe Battle of Sparrsätra was a battle which took place in 1247 near Enköping in Sweden between king Eric XI of Sweden and rebels led by Holmger Knutsson...
Birger MagnussonBirger jarl, or Birger Magnusson, was a Swedish statesman, Jarl of Sweden and a member of the House of Bjelbo, who played a pivotal role in the consolidation of Sweden. Birger also led the Second Swedish Crusade, which established Swedish rule in Finland. Additionally, he is traditionally attributed to have...
defeats the "true FolkungFolkungIn modern Swedish, Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:# The medieval "House of Bjelbo" in Sweden, which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings....
s". - 1248: Birger becomes jarlJarl in SwedenIn Sweden, members of medieval royal families, such as the House of Stenkil and House of Bjelbo, held the title of jarl before their accession to the throne. Since the early 12th century, there usually was only one holder of the title at a time, second only to the King of Sweden.For special...
. - 1250: Birger initiates a "crusade" against the "tavasts".
- 1251: Battle of Herrevadsbro where Birger eliminates the "true Folkungs".
Middle Ages
- 1252: First historical mentioning of StockholmStockholmStockholm 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...
. - 1266: Birger dies and is buried at VarnhemVarnhemVarnhem is a locality situated in Skara Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 718 inhabitants in 2005.Varnhem is the location of the oldest known stone church in Sweden outside of Scania, erected in the 1040s at the latest...
's church. - 1269: First known political confrontation in Stockholm.
- 1275: Magnus Ladulås becomes king.
- 1279: StorkyrkanStorkyrkanSankt 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...
is first mentioned. - 1280: A political meeting at AdelsöAdelsöAdelsö is an island in the middle of Lake Mälaren in Sweden, near southern and northern Björkfjärden. The administrative center of the important Viking settlement Birka was situated at Hovgården on Adelsö.-Geography:...
results in the establishment of Swedish nobilitySwedish nobilityThe 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...
. - 1281: The seal of Stockholm is first mentioned.
- 1285: Magnus decrees he wishes to be buried in Stockholm.
- 1289: In a decree, Magnus grants citizens settling near St Clare's monasteryKlara ChurchThe Church of Saint Clare or Klara Church is a church in central Stockholm.The Church of Saint Clare is located on Klara Västra Kyrkogata in the Klara area in lower Norrmalm. The graveyard, which has had the same location since the 17th century, is almost completely surrounded by modern...
on Norrmalm the same rights as citizens within the city walls (which also gets mentioned for the first time), resulting in the first expansion beyond the central island StadsholmenStadsholmenStadsholmen is the historical name of an island in the centre of Stockholm, Sweden. Together with the small islands Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen it forms the Old town of Stockholm....
. - 1289: In a letter to the Pope, Stockholm is described as having become "more populous than any other city in our country in a few years".
- 1290: Magnus dies, his son Birger becomes king.
- 1292: Magnus is buried in the Greyfriars churchRiddarholmskyrkanThe 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...
. - 1293: Under Torkel KnutssonTorkel KnutssonTorkel Knutsson, known well as Marshal Torkel, of Aranäs, was constable and virtual ruler of Sweden during the early reign of King Birger Magnusson ....
, a crusade is launched aiming at the Vyborg BayVyborg BayThe Bay of Vyborg is a deep inlet running northeastward near the eastern end of Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. The city of Vyborg is located near the head of the gulf.The bay is connected by the Saimaa Canal to the lake Saimaa in Finland....
. - 1350: The Black Death enters the city
- 1388: The city is given full city rights, as ratified by king Albert of MecklenburgAlbert of SwedenAlbert was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412.-Background:...
- 1392: Forces of the DanishDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
Queen MargaretMargaret I of DenmarkMargaret I was Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and founder of the Kalmar Union, which united the Scandinavian countries for over a century. Although she acted as queen regnant, the laws of contemporary Danish succession denied her formal queenship. Her title in Denmark was derived from her...
besieged the city - 1392: PrivateerPrivateerA privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
s named Victual BrothersVictual BrothersThe Victual Brothers were a companionship of privateers who later turned to piracy. They were hired in 1392 by the Dukes of Mecklenburg to fight against Denmark, because the Danish Queen Margaret I had imprisoned Albrecht of Mecklenburg and his son in order to subdue the kingdom of Sweden...
supplied the besieged city with food - 1419: Stockholm becomes the capital of SwedenSwedenSweden , 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....
- 1471: The Battle of BrunkebergBattle of BrunkebergThe Battle of Brunkeberg was fought on October 10, 1471 between the Swedish regent Sten Sture the Elder and forces led by Danish king Christian I.-Background:...
is won by Sten Sture the elder, and the DanishDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
are ousted. - 1520: The Stockholm bloodbathStockholm BloodbathThe Stockholm Bloodbath, or the Stockholm Massacre , took place as the result of a successful invasion of Sweden by Danish forces under the command of King Christian II...
is perpetrated by Christian II of DenmarkChristian II of DenmarkChristian II was King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden , during the Kalmar Union.-Background:... - 1521: Gustav VasaGustav I of SwedenGustav 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....
marches into Stockholm
Swedish Empire
- 1602: Norrmalm is made an autonomous city.
- 1611: Gustavus II AdolphusGustavus Adolphus of SwedenGustav II Adolf has been widely known in English by his Latinized name Gustavus Adolphus Magnus and variously in historical writings also as Gustavus, or Gustavus the Great, or Gustav Adolph the Great,...
becomes king. - 1622: First preserved map of Stockholm dates from this year
- 1625: A devastating fire destroys the south-western part of StadsholmenStadsholmenStadsholmen is the historical name of an island in the centre of Stockholm, Sweden. Together with the small islands Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen it forms the Old town of Stockholm....
. A city plan for the area is produced the following year. - 1630: Gustavus enters the Thirty Years' WarThirty Years' WarThe Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. - 1632: Gustavus dies at the Battle of LützenBattle of Lützen (1632)The Battle of Lützen was one of the most decisive battles of the Thirty Years' War. It was a Protestant victory, but cost the life of one of the most important leaders of the Protestant alliance, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, which caused the Protestant campaign to lose direction.- Prelude to the...
. - 1632–1644: Regency of Queen ChristinaChristina of SwedenChristina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
led by Axel OxenstiernaAxel OxenstiernaAxel Gustafsson Oxenstierna af Södermöre , Count of Södermöre, was a Swedish statesman. He became a member of the Swedish Privy Council in 1609 and served as Lord High Chancellor of Sweden from 1612 until his death. He was a confidant of first Gustavus Adolphus and then Queen Christina.Oxenstierna...
. - 1634: An Instrument of Government establishes the first Office of the Over-Governor of StockholmOver-Governor of StockholmThe Over-Governor, or Överståthållaren of Stockholm was the highest official for the City between 1634 and 1967. The Office was instituted by the Instrument of Government of 1634, which divided Sweden into Counties and the Over-Governorship of Stockholm...
(Överståthållarämbetet). - 1635: Norrmalm is unified with Stockholm.
- 1636: An important reform renders the management of the city more efficient. Anders Torstensson begins working in Stockholm.
- 1637: Regulation of Norrmalm begins. The first public theatre, BjörngårdsteaternBjörngårdsteaternBjörngårdsteatern, also called Christian Thums Commedi-huus and Theums Spelehus , was an old Swedish theatre in Stockholm, active between 1640 and 1655. It was possibly the oldest theatre in Scandinavia, but the information about it is incomplete. - History :In 1637 or 1640, the German Christian...
, opens. - 1639–40: Parts of Ladugårdslandet is donated to the city.
- 1640: Eastern part of Norrmalm is destroyed by fire. A city plan is quickly set up for the district.
- 1642: Regulation begins on SödermalmSödermalmSödermalm, 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...
. A decision is taken to transfer MunklägretKungsholmenKungsholmen is an island in Lake Mälaren in Sweden, part of Stockholm City. It is situated north of Riddarfjärden and considered part of the historical province Uppland....
to the city. - 1644: Eastern half of Kungsholmen is donated to the city.
- 1648: Peace of WestphaliaPeace of WestphaliaThe Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
grants Sweden considerable territories in the southern Baltic regionBaltic regionThe terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :...
. - 1654: Queen Christina abdicates. Charles X of Sweden becomes king.
- 1665: Jean de la ValléeJean De la ValléeJean 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...
produces a plan for a street stretching from Gustav Adolfs Torg to HagaparkenHagaparkenHagaparken , or simply Haga in Solna Municipality just north of Stockholm, Sweden is a vast and popular nature area, with large parks, lakes, woods and gardens...
(SveavägenSveavägenSveavägen is a major street in Stockholm, Sweden. The street starts at Sergels torg in the city center and goes north out of the city towards the Haga Park. It is often known as the busiest road in Sweden....
). - 1661: Nicodemus Tessin the ElderNicodemus Tessin the ElderNicodemus 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...
becomes City Architect. - 1667: The theatre of BollhusetBollhusetBollhuset, also called ', ', and ' at various times, was the name of the first theater in Stockholm, Sweden; it was the first Swedish theater and the first real theater building in the whole of Scandinavia. The name "" means "The Ball House", and it was built in 1627 for ball sports and used in...
opens; first a court theatre, it becomes Public from the 1680s. - 1697: The Royal CastleTre kronor (castle)Tre Kronor or Three Crowns was a castle located in Stockholm, Sweden, on the site where Stockholm Palace is today. It is believed to have been a citadel that Birger Jarl built into a royal castle in the middle of the 13th century...
is destroyed in a fire. - 1710: The last plague reach the city.
Age of Liberty
- 1719: The city narrowly escape Russian invasion.
- 1737: The first national stage of founded in the theatre of BollhusetBollhusetBollhuset, also called ', ', and ' at various times, was the name of the first theater in Stockholm, Sweden; it was the first Swedish theater and the first real theater building in the whole of Scandinavia. The name "" means "The Ball House", and it was built in 1627 for ball sports and used in...
.
The Gustavian Era
- 1773 : Foundation of Royal Swedish OperaRoyal Swedish OperaKungliga Operan is Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet.-Location and Environment:...
. - 1788 : Foundation of the Royal Dramatic TheatreRoyal Dramatic TheatreThe Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's eight running stages....
.
Industrial Era
- 1806: The steam engineSteam engineA steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
is introduced in Stockholm at the EldkvarnEldkvarnEldkvarn was a grand gristmill in central Stockholm that burned in 1878 — an event which was known as "the fire of the century". It was located where today the Stockholm City Hall stands....
gristmill. - 1846: Adolf Eugene von Rosen and Georg Theodor Policron von Chiewitz proposes a regulation of Gamla stanGamla stanGamla 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...
. - 1857: A regulation of Gamla stan is proposed by A. E. Schuldheis and discussed in the parliament. Gets rejected two years later.
- 1860: A.E. Schwabitz and A.E. Rudberg produces a proposal for the regulation of Gamla stan.
- 1861: A decision is taken to construct StrandvägenStrandvägenStrandvägen is a boulevard on Östermalm in central Stockholm, Sweden. Completed just in time for the Stockholm World's Fair 1897, it quickly became known as one of the most prestigious addresses in town....
. - 1862: Rudberg publishes a minor revision of his proposal. A new administrative reform comes into effect.
- 1863–1864: Rudberg and Gillis BildtGillis BildtDidrik Anders Gillis Bildt was a Swedish parliamentarian, military officer, baron and prime minister 1888–1889.-Family:...
develop a city plan for Stockholm. Albert LindhagenAlbert LindhagenKlas Albert Lindhagen was a Swedish city planner, lawyer, and politician. He is mostly remembered for his city plans for Stockholm produced in the late 19th century.- Biography :...
is appointed head of a commission to examine the plan the following year, only to produce a plan of his own in 1866. The plan, published in 1867, results in no actions. - 1871: Stockholm Central StationStockholm Central StationStockholm Central Station is the largest railway station in Sweden. The station is situated in the district of Norrmalm at Vasagatan/Central Plan. Opened July 18, 1871, the station is the largest in Sweden, with over 200,000 visitors daily...
is inaugurated. - 1874–80: Various plans for different districts are discussed. Three are accepted by the king.
Modern history
- 1927: Albert Lilienberg is appointed "city-planning superintendent" (stadsplanedirektör). He presents a plan for the regulation of "densely populated districts" the following year.
- 1932–33: International contest for a city plan for the southern part of Norrmalm.
- 1936: Lilienberg's plan is rejected by the Stockholm City Council. Paul HedqvistPaul HedqvistPaul Hedqvist was a Swedish modernist architect with many official commissions in Sweden through the 1930s, including housing projects, major bridges, many schools, and urban planning work. His practice evolved into designing office towers and at least one major stadium in the postwar 1950s...
presents an alternative plan corresponding to today's reality. - 1945: The principal decision to carry through the Redevelopment of NorrmalmRedevelopment of NorrmalmThe redevelopment of Norrmalm was a major revision of the city plan for lower Norrmalm in Stockholm, Sweden, which was realised during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The renewal resulted in the old Klara quarters being replaced for the modern city of Stockholm, according to rigorist CBD ideas, while...
is passed on Yngve LarssonYngve LarssonGustaf Richard Yngve Larsson was a Swedish Ph. D., Municipal commissioner , Member of Parliament and statesman....
s initiative, in order to facilitate the Stockholm MetroStockholm MetroThe Stockholm Metro is a metro system in Stockholm, Sweden. The first line opened in 1950, and today the system has 100 stations in use, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground. There are seven lines numbered from 10 to 19, in three groups identified by a color: the Green, Red and Blue lines...
and to elongate long-debated SveavägenSveavägenSveavägen is a major street in Stockholm, Sweden. The street starts at Sergels torg in the city center and goes north out of the city towards the Haga Park. It is often known as the busiest road in Sweden....
down to its present end at Sergels TorgSergels TorgSergels torg is the most central public square in Stockholm, Sweden, named after 18th century sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel, whose workshop was once located north of the square.- Overview :...
. - 1946: A plan for Norrmalm similar to today's Sergels Torg is presented by Sven MarkeliusSven MarkeliusSven Gottfrid Markelius was one of the most important modernist Swedish architects. Markelius played an important role in the post-war urban planning of Stockholm, for example in the creation of the model suburb of Vällingby .Born in Stockholm in October 1889, he attended the Royal Institute of...
and David Helldén but is ignored by the city council. - 1951–1952: A new plan is passed and demolition works for the Stockholm MetroStockholm MetroThe Stockholm Metro is a metro system in Stockholm, Sweden. The first line opened in 1950, and today the system has 100 stations in use, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground. There are seven lines numbered from 10 to 19, in three groups identified by a color: the Green, Red and Blue lines...
begin. - 1960: Final proposal for Sergels Torg is accepted by the council.
- 1962 and 1967: Revised plans enlarging earlier demolition plans are presented and accepted.
- 1971: The tree-hugger campaign Almstriden in KungsträdgårdenKungsträdgårdenKungsträdgården is a park in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is colloquially known as Kungsan.The park's central location and its outdoor cafés makes it one of the most popular hangouts and meeting places in Stockholm. It also hosts open-air concerts and events in summer, while offering an ice...
. - 1973: The Norrmalmstorg robberyNorrmalmstorg robberyThe Norrmalmstorg robbery was a bank robbery and hostage crisis best known as the origin of the term Stockholm syndrome. It occurred at the Norrmalmstorg square in Stockholm, Sweden in 1973...
hostage crisis occurred at NorrmalmstorgNorrmalmstorgNorrmalmstorg is a square in central Stockholm. The square connects shopping streets Hamngatan and Biblioteksgatan and is the starting point for tram travellers with the Djurgården line...
, eventually giving birth the term Stockholm syndromeStockholm syndromeIn psychology, Stockholm Syndrome is an apparently paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them...
. - 1975: New plan cancels all earlier plans to rebuild central Stockholm.
- 1982: The European CourtEuropean Court of Human RightsThe European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
passes a sentence over the expropriations in connection to the destruction of southern Norrmalm, making Sweden the first Nordic countryNordic countriesThe Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
to be sentenced for offending human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. - 1986: Prime minister Olof PalmeOlof PalmeSven Olof Joachim Palme was a Swedish politician. A long-time protegé of Prime Minister Tage Erlander, Palme led the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1969 to his assassination, and was a two-term Prime Minister of Sweden, heading a Privy Council Government from 1969 to 1976 and a cabinet...
is assassinated on SveavägenSveavägenSveavägen is a major street in Stockholm, Sweden. The street starts at Sergels torg in the city center and goes north out of the city towards the Haga Park. It is often known as the busiest road in Sweden....
. - 2003: Minister for Foreign Affairs Anna LindhAnna LindhYlva Anna Maria Lindh was a Swedish Social Democratic politician, Chairman of the Social Democratic Youth League 1984-1990, Member of Parliament 1982-1985 and 1998-2003...
is assassinated at the NKNordiska KompanietNordiska Kompaniet is the name of two department stores located in Stockholm and Gothenburg, in Sweden....
department store.
Historical population
![](http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/k/ka/karte_stockholm_umgebung_mk1888.png)
Year | Inhabitants |
---|---|
1252 | 100 |
1289 | 3,000 |
1460 | 6,000 |
1500 | 7,000 |
1523 | 3,000 |
1582 | 9,000 |
1650 | 30,000 |
1685 | 60,000 |
1700 | 40,000 |
1750 | 58,400 |
1800 | 75,800 |
1850 | 93,000 |
1875 | 145,000 |
1900 | 300,500 |
1925 | 442,500 |
1950 | 744,500 |
1960 | 808,600 |
1970 | 744,900 |
1980 | 647,200 |
1990 | 674,500 |
2000 | 750,300 |
2004 | 765,000 |