Gamla Stan

At the heart of Stockholm is a small island of Stadsholmen, which is where you can find the Gamla Stan.  Gamla Stan is Swedish for the "old town".  Walking the narrow cobblestone streets here is like stepping back into the 13th century.

An ordinary narrow street

The narrowest street -- Mårten Trotzigs gränd

At the north end of the island is the royal palace.  We got there in time to watch the changing of the guard ceremony.

I'll admit that after watching the changing of the guard in both Oslo and in Copenhagen, I was thinking that we maybe could skip this one.  After all if you've seen one changing of the guard you've seen them all, right?  Not so; I was totally wrong!  Not only did the soldiers literally prance around the square, but also the cavalry band performed several choreographed musical numbers on horseback.  There was even a guy with two timpani drums who controlled his horse's reins with his feet.  Very impressive, and I'm glad we didn't miss it.

We also took a walk over to the nearby island of Riddarholm.

The church on this island (Riddarholmskyrkan) is the traditional burial place of many of the Swedish monarchs.  Some of the crypts are really quite creepy-looking.

Riddarholmskyrkan isn't really used much today for worship, it's more of a museum.  Instead, the Storkyrkan (Grand Church) in the heart of Gamla Stan is used as the city's cathedral.  But I can't imagine going to a church every week where my view of the service is blocked by a massive statue of St. George slaying the dragon.  It would be impossible for me to pay attention to the sermon.

Not far from the Storkyrkan is number 5 Österlånggatan.  This is the apartment building where Kevin's great-grandmother Ada used to live.  Although there are so many historical buildings in Gamla Stan, I'm sure a lot has changed in Gamla Stan since she lived here!