The Stockholm City Hall is a clear landmark in the Stockholm city scape. Though I have passed by every now and then, I hadn't entered until one day last week. I had completed a morning appointment in the city, the weather was excellent and I had time to explore, so I did.
The city hall opened in 1923 and is built in a national romantic style. Most famous for hosting the Nobel Dinner each year in December, the city hall also seats the city political assembly. It is open to the public through guided tours available throughout the day in Swedish and English. I joined one of these for a price of 150 Swedish kroner. Tickets to the 106 meter city hall tower sold separately. The place is crowded on a sunny afternoon in July but pre booking was not needed.
Exploring the richly decorated rooms of the Stockholm City Hall clearly shows that the past is another country. Such heavy handed use of gold, brown and red, and such overuse of historical symbols in stone carvings and mosaics feel far from modern day estetics.
Still, I enjoyed a thoughtful visit there and the many opportunities for chasing good shots.
