20 FAMOUS LANDMARKS IN SWEDEN

 

20 FAMOUS LANDMARKS IN SWEDEN, Sweden is an inconceivable place to visit when in northern Europe. Swedens stretches up into the Arctic Circle, borders Norway, Finland and is fluently accessible from Denmark. Famous for ABBA, Ikea, meatballs and Vikings, Sweden has further to explore than flatpack cabinetwork. There’s an inconceivable diversity of milestones in Sweden. roughly 63 of Sweden is covered in timbers, giving the geography a beautiful and wild sense. Within these forested geographies, moose bat freely. Sweden also has further than 90,000 lakes.

NATURAL SWEDEN LANDMARKS

1- LAKE SILJAN

Lake Siljan was formed more than 365 million years ago when a meteorite hit the earth.

Several lakes were formed following this astrological event including lakes Orsasjon and Skattungen; commonly referred to as The Silver Ring of Silver and Iron.

Lake Siljan is Sweden’s sixth largest lake but, it is its natural beauty and not its size that draws tourists from all over the world to its shores.

The lake is a popular location for cruises and boat rides, which stops at the picturesque towns and villages along its shore.

Lake Siljan is at Dalarna.

2- GOTLANDS RAUKAR

The unusual rock formations standing out of Gotland’s limestone bedrock have long been a source of myth, historical curiosity, and natural beauty.

Millions of years ago, the island was closer to the equator where the limestone bedrock was built up.

Over time the island was moved, and with the help of an Ice Age, Gotland’s unique natural environment emerged and its sea stacks created.

The stacks are known locally as “Hoburgsgubben” or the Hoburg gentleman.

This stack is the largest and best-known sea stack in the area, however, many smaller ones are pushing their way out of the water.

Gotlands Raukar is at 623 30 Burgsvik.

3- ÅRESKUTAN

Åreskutan is a mountain in Jämtland standing 1420m (4660ft) high and lies in a region famous for its ski resorts.

The mountain resort of Åre is easily accessible by train, making a hike up the mountain a pleasant one to arrive at.

There are cable cars that take visitors partway up the snow-covered mountain.

From Åreskutan’s summit views over mountains in nearby Härjedalen, Sylarna and even Norway are visible on a clear day.

Åreskutan is at 837 52 Åre.

4- KEBNEKAISE

Kebnekaise is Sweden’s highest mountain and stands at 2096m (6877ft).

The mountain is part of the Scandinavian mountains and unusually has two peaks.

The southern peak is covered by a glacier, which sadly due to global warming is melting, and decreasing in height.

As the mountain lies within the Arctic Circle,the best time to visit is in April when the snow has settled and is stable, making for excellent climbing and skiing conditions.

Kebnekaise is at 981 99 Kiruna.

5- LUMMELUNDAGROTTAN

First explored in 1924 before three teenage boys began detailed cave system documentation in 1948, Lummelundagrottan is one of the more unusual cave and rock formations in Sweden.

Lummelundagrottan is locally known as the Rövarkulan or Robbers Den.

The 1948 expedition into the cave caused some disturbances to the natural formation and widened previously narrow passages due to falling rocks.

During this expedition, a large chamber and underground lake were discovered.

The boys returned to the caves in 1955 intending to cross the lake, where they found other chambers on the far side.

Lummelundagrottan is at Lummelunda Lummelundsbruk 520, 621 71 Visby.

6- TANDÖVALA ANCIENT WOODLAND

Tandövala is an incredibly picturesque location in Dalarna county.

The ancient woodland, primarily of old-growth pine, covers the landscape with the occasional log cabin nestled amongst the greenery visible.

Within this ancient woodland is a myriad of wildlife, including bears, wolves and lynx.

Plantlife is equally rich, with an abundance of mountain vines and currants.

Tandövala is locally described as a cairn, a high mountain covered partially in the forest, with the bare areas caused by a forest fire or climate change.

Tandövala Ancient Woodland is at 780 64 Lima.

7- SKIERFEKLIPPAN

Skierfeklippan is a mountain within Sarek National Park.

The summit of the mountain is a rocky, flat crag with incredible views over the Rapa River and Laitaure delta below.

Skierfeklippan is popular with advanced mountain climbers as the climb can be challenging, and the western face of the mountain is nearly vertical.

The mountain is 1179m (3868ft) about sea level and is one of the highest in the surrounding area.

Skierfeklippan is at 962 99 Jokkmokk.

8- HÖGA KUSTEN

Höga Kusten is Sweden’s High Coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Höga Kusten is a less visited area of Sweden, particularly by tourists, however, this landscape captures the truly incredible beauty of Sweden and has even been officially named the most beautiful place in the country.

The forest floors of Höga Kusten are covered in thick, green moss.

Forest-covered mountains and hills within the area offer spectacular views of the towns, villages and other natural places of interest.

The area is a favourite destination for campers, hikers and mountain climbers.

Höga Kusten is part of Swedens coast line. Höga Kusten is at Gulf of Bothnia, Ångermanland.

For more amazing European Landmarks, read:

STOCKHOLM LANDMARKS 

9- ROYAL SWEDISH OPERA HOUSE

Gustav III founded the Royal Swedish Opera in 1773 and Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz designed the building.

Gustav III was murdered during a masked ball held at the opera.

His creation stood proud in Stockholm until it was declared unsafe due to its dilapidated condition and was demolished in 1892.

The current opera house was named after Oscar II, king at the time of its completion.

The new opera house was designed by Axe Anderberg in a neoclassical style.

Norwegian marble fills the entrance hall symbolising a union with the two countries.

An extensive restoration of the opera house has ensured its former glory is not lost to the ages.

The foyer is filled with gold stucco on the walls, crystal chandeliers and delicate Florentine brocade fabric curtains.

Royal Swedish Opera House is at Kungliga Operan AB, Box 160 94, 103 22, Stockholm.

10- SKEPPSHOLMSBRON BRIDGE

Skeppsholmsbron Bridge is a 165m (541ft) bridge connecting the island of Skeppsholmsbron with Stockholm.

King Karl commissioned the bridge, with Motala Verkstad, the oldest engineering firm in Sweden, constructing the bridge in 1861.

Motala Verkstad is referred to in the novel ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea’ by Jules Verne, where the submarine was said to have been built by Motala Verkstad.

The bridge is forged from iron and is the first of its kind in Sweden.

The bridge was classified as a historical landmark in 1935.

Skeppsholmsbron is at Skeppsholmsbron, Stockholm.

11- HALLWYL MUSEUM

In the heart of Stockholm is the Hallwyl Museum.

The museum is a Swedish National museum that has seen the house of Count and Countess von Hawwyl transformed into exhibitions on life during Swedens history.

Gustaf Clason, a renowned Swedish architect, designed the house completed in 1898.

The house was built in Venetian Late Gothic and Early Spanish Renaissance styles, as the von Hawwyls wanted to create a slice of the Mediterranean in central Stockholm.

The house was always intended to be a museum, and its doors opened to the public in 1938.

It is frozen in time with objects left where they were when the house was transformed into a museum.

Some of the more unusual objects displayed include a slice of wedding cake belonging to the Count and Countess, and a piece of the Count’s beard.

Hawwyl Museum is at No 4 Hamngatan, 111 47 Stockholm.

12- RIDDARHOLM CHURCH

Standing tall in Stockholm is the brick and limestone marvel of Riddarholm Church, which is Sweden’s best-preserved medieval abbey.

The church is part of the Royal Palaces of Sweden and is the final resting place for many of Sweden’s rulers, primarily from 1632 to 1950.

Kings from the Middle Ages including Magnus Ladulås were also laid to rest here.

The church is open to anyone to visit but it does not hold services inside its walls.

Many concerts are held here, including the Order of the Seraphim bell ringings.

Riddarholm Church is at Kungliga Slottet, Stockholm 107 70.

13- STOCKHOLM CATHEDRAL

Stockholm Cathedral Storkyrkan, meaning The Great Church, is in the centre of Stockholm.

The 13th-century church is the oldest church in Stockholm.

The cathedral’s interior features red brick columns, vaulted ceilings and incredibly detailed and intricately carved pulpits.

Stockholm Cathedral houses many important objects and sculptures, including St George and the Dragon’s statue dating from 1489.

Legendary painting Vädersoltavlan is also housed within the cathedral.

The painting depicts an atmospheric phenomenon of glowing halo-like rings seen over Stockholm in 1535.

The painting was created following this event.

Stockholm Cathedral is at Trångsund 1, 11129 Stockholm.

14- RIKSDAGSHUSET

Riksdagshuest is Sweden’s Parliament House and is in central Stockholm.

Unusually, compared to the parliaments of other European countries, the Riksdagshuset is open to the public if they wish to attend a debate or are visiting to study.

Guided tours run during parliamentary sessions allow visitors to understand more about how the country is run, and learn a little about Swedens political history.

One of the most famous areas of Riksdagshuest is the library which dates from 1851.

The library has many books the public can borrow.

Riksdagshuest is at Riksgatan 1, 100 12 Stockholm.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS IN SWEDEN

15- DROTTNINGHOLM PALACE

Drottningholm Palace is the residency of the Swedish Royal Family, which is built on an island named Lovön.

Nicodemus Tessin, the Elder, designed the palace on Queen Hedvig Eleonora’s commission, and construction began in the early 1600s.

The palace has an unusual architectural style influenced by a French design, featuring a Chinese Pavillion and a range of influences spanning Europe’s varying design styles of the time.

The palace is still the residence for the King and Queen of Sweden who occupy the southern wing, allowing the rest of the palace and its spectacular grounds to be open to the public.