Touring Riddarholmen

On the streets of Riddarholmen.

For the first time in our more than five years here, Robert and I explored Riddarholmen – the knight’s islet – a small part of the old town in the city center – on Saturday afternoon.

Riddarholmskyrkan or the church on Riddarholmen.

Riddarholmen is cut off by bridges from the rest of the city center and since its collection of old palaces, a church and other government institution buildings aren’t in use on a Saturday afternoon, it makes for a relatively quiet and isolated spot to visit.

Riddarholmskyrkan or the church dates back to the 13th century and is known as the Swedish king’s graveyard. It also houses the Order of the Seraphim – a Swedish Royal order of chivalry. When a head of state dies anywhere in the world, his coat of arms is apparently added to the collection already on the walls. Today Riddarholmskyrkan is no longer used as a church, but only for burial and other ceremonial purposes. So this magnificent building goes unused for the most part. But at least you can tour it!

The front entrance to Riddarholmskyrkan.

Most of the other buildings here date  from the 17th century and are well preserved, making this place a good spot for photo opps without a lot of people.

Tagged as: Riddarholmen, Riddarholmen church, Riddarholmskyrkan, Touring Stockholm