GAMLA STAN

Stockholm's history starts in Gamla Stan, the old town, still an almost perfect copy of a medieval city. 

During prehistory, this small islet between Lake Malaren and the Baltic was used by fisherman and hunters. In the 12th century however, it became a base for German merchants from Lubeck who had begun to trade in iron, and an early king built a primitive watch tower. 

The first mention of Stockholm is in 1252 when Birgel Jarl, one of the early regents, built strong city walls around the present Osterlanggatan and Vasterlanggatan. He also enlarged the original tower, which became the castle Tre Kronor because of the three golden crowns (still a national symbol) above the central tower. The present Royal Palace was built on the site of the old Tre Kronor Palace which was destroyed by fire in 1697. 

Gamla Stan (called Stadholmen at the time) remained more or less unchanged for the rest of the 18th century. During the 1840's and for several decades afterwards, proposals were put forward from time to time to pull the whole palace down and redevelop it. Gamla Stan at that time was a filthy, overcrowded slum, "permeated by the filth of six centuries". It was still common to throw away the latrine from the windows down to the streets having warned the pedestrians shortly before. Colera epidemy was widespread because of the lack of hygiene. 

After the turn of the century, the historical value of Gamla Stan began to be appreciated. August Strindberg and the artist Carl Larsson who were born in Gamla Stan were among the most distinguished and influential personalities who advocated a careful process of renewal. 

In 1977 it was decided that practically every single building in Gamla Stan was to be preserved as a historical monument. Today, Gamla Stan is actually four islands. Apart from the main island, there is Helgeandsholmen (Holy Ghost Island), which is almost entirely taken up by the Parliament, and Riddarholmen (Island of the Knights), today mainly an office district. The fourth is called Stromsborg which just has a restaurant on it.