June, 2023. We knew there was a big national holiday on June 6 so, in order to avoid any slowdowns or closures relating to it, we flew into Stockholm the evening of June 5. Thought it would be fun to see how the Swedes celebrated their version of Independence Day. Except for the national holiday, this was a work trip now, with Dan putting in several days at Ericcson in Kista, a suburb of Stockholm.
We stayed in the heart of the city, near the central station at Downtown Camper. When they designed this place, it was like someone mentioned making everything campy and someone misunderstood and decided to make everything campING instead. Everything has a camping theme, in a pulled together, classy and understated way. Like hallway lights that were flashlights and carabiners everywhere. A campfire in the restaurant and swings to sit on. The location was amazing, not only near the station, but Sergels Torg, a major square, Kungstradgarden, the Opera House, and the bridge to the old quarter and Royal Palace, Gamla Stan.
We headed out right away for a late supper and a good look around our home for the week. Crossing through the big plaza with the squared off jenga-like pillar that was lit blue, we walked towards the Opera and waterfront where night was just starting to fall even though it was about 11 pm. We went over to see the Royal Palace a little closer, then over to the tiny island housing the Swedish Parliament building on our walk back home.
What is National Day, You Ask?
In a nutshell, important things happened on June 6 in two different years, centuries apart. In 1523, Gustav Vasa was elected King, starting the idea of Sweden as an independent nation. And in 1809, an important new constitution was adopted on the same date. Swedish National Day has only been a public holiday since 2005. We headed out after a late start to see what it was all about. Taking the subway to the City Hall stop, we started our holiday with a waterfront promenade by the Stadhuset. Everyone, it seemed, was out enjoying the picture perfect day. Lots of people carried Swedish flags and some were dressed in traditional costumes. There was a big event just finishing up at the Stadhuset, or City Hall. We couldn’t go inside but we did get into the beautiful courtyard.
We continued our waterside walk, heading to Gamla Stan, the old quarter. Our destination was the Nobel Museum.
Nobel Laureates Always Celebrated Here
The Nobel Museum is a very well put together and comprehensive, yet very doable museum. It’s all covered in a single story, with many interactive components. We watched and learned about many laureates we weren’t familiar with in their ongoing film room. In the vaulted entry space, you can watch as little bios of the many awardees over the years come by along a conveyor overhead, similar to a dry cleaner’s. Inspirational and quite humbling quotes are displayed throughout. You can also learn all about Alfred Nobel’s life and work, and how the prizes came to be.
Storkyrkan
Just around the corner from Nobel is Storkyrkan, meaning Great Church. It is also the Church of St. Nikolai. This is a famed Lutheran cathedral, the mother church for the Church of Sweden, Diocese of Stockholm. Royal weddings and coronations happen here. It’s a soaring brick Gothic church with so much beautiful art. It’s very famous for its statue of St George slaying the dragon. Carved primarily in oak wood and elk horn in 1489, it’s painted gold and has gilding as well. The detail is just stunning. The altarpiece is also beautiful and unique.
Bonus Meeting with Friends
I found out that an old friend from India was going to be in Stockholm to help her daughter and son-in-law set up a new place but she was heading back literally the day before our arrival. I told her to keep in touch in case anything changed and she decided to push out her departure date. Lucky me! The three of them came to meet up with us outside the Nobel Museum. We enjoyed walking around Gamla Stan looking for souvenirs.
A Serendipitous Royal Moment
Then, thinking it might be a good time to check out the Royal Palace, we headed that way. We had heard that the Royal Family regularly spent this day welcoming people to the palace, then at Skansen, an open air park and museum. I read somewhere too that this was the day the royals would move to their summer residence a few kilometers away. Thinking all the festivities must be over by now, we walked towards the Palace.
There was a construction spot with fencing that some people had gathered by and they seemed very excited. We have learned to always check out situations like this….you never know what might happen. Well we were just in time to catch THE parade! The Royal Family with military guard and in open carriages! The picture of the King and Queen was taken from a video just after they turned their heads but we saw them. The Crown Princess and her family are a little easier to see. We’d been in Stockholm less than 24 hours and we saw the King and Queen, Carl XVI Gustav and Silvia, as well as the Crown Princess Victoria and her family! And on Swedish National Day, which I guess ups the odds but that was just a fabulous moment. The Royal Family is very popular with the Swedes and we could feel everyone’s excitement.
A Dinner Fit for Knights
To finish off this very special evening, our friends had made reservations for us all at a fascinating medieval restaurant set in a dark cellar with stone walls. Sjatte Tunnan was great fun with really good food and a unique dinner introduction to Stockholm. They brought the bill attached to a board with a dagger! Really had such a wonderful evening with all three of them. Wishing the best to Aksh and Anjan for their new life in Stockholm.
After saying goodbye, we meandered back to Downtown Camper and decided to check out the gym and wellness center on the top floor. The sunset view at 10 pm that greeted us was the perfect ending to a royally epic day.
