Touring Stadshuset

The tower of Stadshuset is topped by three crowns – the national coat of arms for Sweden.

Stadshuset – Stockholm’s City Hall – is one of the most famous buildings in Stockholm. I was there last night for a special celebration – the 100th anniversary of the American Women’s Club in Stockholm and the 50th annversary for the International Women’s Club. We had drinks and a Swedish buffet in the Golden Hall.

The Queen of Lake Mälaren is in the Golden Hall and is a bit controversial as she is considered to be so ugly with her man hands and feet!

Built in the National Romantic style with more than 8 million bricks, Stadshuset opened in 1923. It’s the center of government for Stockholm, but is probably most famous for being the site of the Nobel Prize banquet every year on December 10th. The banquet is held in the Blue Hall, which is actually not blue at all. Original plans for the building called for the bricks in the hall to be painted blue, but the architect changed his mind and kept the natural red color  instead.

The Blue Hall is where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held. About 1,300 people are packed into the hall for it.

The Golden Hall is where the dancing is held after the dinner. The walls there are covered with more than 18 million glass and gold mosaic pieces. Artist Einar Forseth used a Byzantine style to depict historical figures and events in Swedish history.

The Golden Hall.

The Stadshuset courtyard.

Tagged as: Blue Hall, Golden Hall, Nobel Prize Banquet, Stadshuset, Stockholm's city hall