kids encyclopedia robot

Gamla stan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Gamla Stan is a super old and charming part of Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. It's actually made up of three islands: Stadsholmen, Riddarholmen, and Helgeandsholmen. Many important buildings are here, like the National Assembly Building, the royal palace, and the Cathedral.

The name Gamla Stan means "the Old Town." It was first built way back in the 13th century! This means many buildings you see today are from the 17th or 18th centuries, making them very historic. When you cross the bridge near the Royal Swedish Opera, you'll find the National Assembly Building. This building acts like a gateway, connecting the old town of Gamla Stan with the newer parts of Stockholm. Just past this entrance is the royal palace, and all around, you'll find buildings that make you feel like you've stepped back into the Middle Ages.

Exploring Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is a fantastic place to explore, filled with history and unique sights. It's one of Sweden's most famous tourist spots because it has kept its medieval look so well.

The Heart of the Old Town

The very center of Gamla Stan is Stortorget square. This square has a long and sometimes sad history. A long time ago, in an event known as the Stockholm massacre, many important Swedish leaders were killed here by Christian II.

Today, Stortorget is a lively place. On one side, you'll find the Nobel Museum. All around the square are buildings that were built between the 13th and 19th centuries. You'll also discover lots of shops tucked away in the narrow alleyways leading off the square. If you head north from Stortorget, you'll find the stock exchange building, built in 1776, and the headquarters of the Sweden Academy, which is the group that chooses the Nobel Prize winners.

Famous Spots to Visit

Gamla Stan is home to many other famous places that tourists love to see.

The Narrowest Alley

One of the most unique spots is Morten Trozigsgrand. This is the narrowest alley in all of Gamla Stan! It's only about 90 centimeters (or 35 inches) wide, so you might have to squeeze through!

Historic Churches

You can also visit the German Church. This beautiful church adds to the historic feel of the area and is another example of the old buildings found throughout Gamla Stan.

Images for kids

  • Kaffekoppen and Chokladkoppen

    Iconic buildings surrounding the square Stortorget.

  • Stockholm-Storkyrkan 01

    Façades of the Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral facing Slottsbacken.

  • Street in Gamla Stan, Stockholm

    Prästgatan, one of the old thoroughfares of Gamla stan.

  • Marten-Trotzigs-Graend

    Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, less than a metre wide, the narrowest alley in the city.

  • Stockholm 1560s copperplate Frantz Hogenberg

    Copperplate of the southern city gate of Stockholm in the 1560s.

  • Gamla Stan Tourists

    Tourists walking on the old cobble streets in the market

  • Riddarhuset old

    The House of Lords, and the square in front of it, was one of the major achievements of the era. Engraving from Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gamla Stan para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Gamla stan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.