Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a video and photographic tour of The Royal Palace Stockholm in Sweden. The architectural style is Baroque and construction started in 1697 by many of the artists and craftsmen who constructed King Louis XIV’s (14th) palace of Versailles.
As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look.
Situated in the northern part of Gamla stan in Stockholm, the Royal Palace serves as one of Europe’s largest palaces and stands as His Majesty The King’s official residence. It also plays host to a majority of the monarchy’s official receptions, welcoming visitors throughout the year to explore its many facets.
As a royal residence, workplace, and cultural-historical monument, the palace is a distinctive blend of architectural grandeur and historical significance. It was crafted in the baroque style by the architect Nicodemus Tessin, modelled after a Roman palace. The structure spans eleven floors, encompassing over 600 rooms, with a state apartment overlooking the city and smaller living spaces facing the inner courtyard.
The Royal Palace functions as the daily workplace for The King and Queen, as well as the offices affiliated with the Royal Court. Open to the public year-round, it offers a glimpse into regal life and history, featuring not only the Royal Apartments but also three museums steeped in regal history: the Treasury showcasing the regalia, the Tre Kronor Museum depicting the palace’s medieval past, and, during the summer, Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities. Visitors often flock to witness the changing of the guard which I managed to capture for you on video.
This historic residence traces its roots back to the 13th century when Tre Kronor Castle stood on the same spot. Architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger designed the palace, replacing the medieval Tre Kronor Castle that succumbed to a fire on May 7, 1697. However, construction was temporarily halted in 1709 due to the Great Northern War, only resuming in 1727, six years after the war’s conclusion, reflecting a turbulent period in its history.
I’ve been to many palaces over the years and this one might have been my favourite. However, we haven’t visited them all – so let’s do that first and reserve our official judgment until then! What’s been your favourite palace you’ve ever visited?
By Anthony King (c)