History History

The region of the lake Mälaren is populated by Vikings communities among which is established the current site of Stockholm. This site is a strategic point of control of the maritime flow, allowing to defend itself against invasions. Its trade routes saw the traffic of objects from all over the world, such as Persian or Chinese objects, becoming a Mecca of Swedish Viking civilization. The Viking Museum in Stockholm offers a fascinating exhibition on this era, with Viking ships dating back to the 9th century.

The name "Stockholm" first appeared in a letter written by the regent Birger Jarl. Stock means, in Old Swedish, "a multitude of", and holm means "island". The city was then limited to Stadsholmen, the location of the present old town in Gamla Stan.

In a letter to the pope, Stockholm is described as the largest city in Sweden, "having populated itself more than any other city in the country in so short a time. Its expansion was largely due to its commercial growth, including the iron trade, which formed the alliance between the Swedish rulers and the Hanseatic League, a powerful association of merchant cities in Northern Europe. Thus, Stockholm became an indisputable port city, strengthening the power of the Crown.

The Black Death decimated more than a quarter of the population of Stockholm.

The Queen of Denmark acquires the city of Stockholm.

The Union of Kalmar unified until 1523 the three kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway under one monarchy. Norway, at the time, also included other territories such as Greenland and Iceland. This union made Stockholm a strategic point. The Union of Kalmar is represented by the sign of the cross, which is still present on the flags of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, as well as Iceland, Finland and the Faroe Islands, all of which were part of the territory shared between the kingdoms.

Stockholm became the capital of Sweden.

The battle of Brunkeberg was won by Stern Sture the Elder against the Danish king Christian I. The Danes were driven out.

The relations between the Swedes and the Danes turned out to be delicate. Christian II, king of Denmark, entered the island and became the new king of Sweden. He had 88 Swedish notables executed in the heart of the city, on the Stortorget square (Gamla Stan). This episode will keep the name of "bloodbath" and will nickname Christian II "Christian the Tyrant". Gustav Vasa, opponent of the enemies of his people, took refuge in the center of the country where he mobilized an opposition which, in 1523, finally advanced towards the capital.

Gustav Vasa, after having driven out the Danes, was crowned in Strängnäs, about a hundred kilometers from Stockholm. During his reign, he set up an organized infrastructure, allowing Stockholm to become one of the main European powers. When he became the first king of Sweden, a national identity was born, allowing him to leave the Kalmar Union. Between 1527 and 1528, the Swedish Reformation closed all the convents operating in Stockholm and abolished Latin, wanting to separate from the Catholic Church in order to form the Church of Sweden. A few years later, the Danviken Hospital was built to replace the convents. Between 1540 and 1560, the king undertook plans to fortify the city for fear of external attacks. Riddarholmen, the western side of Stockholm, was equipped with ramparts and towers, and the fort of Vaxholm was built to control the entrance to the Baltic. Within the city, the poor were pushed out of Stadsholmen to minimize the risks created by overpopulation. The German and Finnish inhabitants formed an elite in the Stadsholmen (Gamla Stan) district, the heart of trade and commerce. Every day, ships from Lake Mälaren unloaded their goods at Järntorget (Iron Square) and Kornhamnstoget (Grain Square). In Köpmansgatan and Skomakargatan (Merchants' Street and Cloggers' Street) in Stortorget (Gamla Stan) are the craftsmen. And from the castle, now called Tre Kronor (Three Crowns), the king increased his political and commercial influence: he himself appointed magistrates and aldermen, and increased the number of royal officials to supervise trade

While Stockholm remained a medieval city, its rulers speculated on modernization projects to give it aspects of power. It was in 1625 that a devastating fire destroyed part of Stadsholmen, and new building plans were created the following year. The twin streets of Stora and Nyagatan appeared, giving the city a grander appearance than the old medieval alleys. In August 1628, the royal warship Vasa, just out of its shipyard, sank in the bay of Stockholm (the ship can be visited at the Vasa Museum in Djugården). A few years later, the kingdom of Sweden came into conflict with the Roman Empire, and King Gustav II Adolphus entered the Thirty Years' War and died two years later at the Battle of Lützen. This war is considered one of the most devastating in the history of Europe. It was in 1633 that Queen Christine, heir to the throne after the death of Gustav II Adolphus, had Drottningatan built, the long royal artery that stretches the city beyond the northern banks. The ramparts in the east of the city were replaced by large esplanades along the waterfront (Skeppsbron). The population multiplied, creating a period of significant economic development. Six customs posts regulated the transit of goods between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. Foreigners came regularly to acquire iron, copper, butter, and supplied the capital with salt, wine and luxury goods for the court. Textile and tapestry industries were founded. At the same time as the increase in wealth, there was a cultural blossoming. In 1640, Stockholm saw the appearance of the first public theater, Björngårdsteatern, which was the oldest theater in Scandinavia. The city of Stockholm, which had become the cultural heart of Sweden, was a choice stopover. However, in 1697, when the city was in full bloom, a great fire interrupted the construction of the new royal palace in baroque style. It was not completed until 1760. During the period before its completion, part of the city was destroyed during the Great Northern War. The power of the kingdom was weakened, putting an end to its era of greatness. Unemployment was rampant and alcohol abuse was eating away at society. Promised reforms were not kept and bloody riots became commonplace. In order to recover, the nobility put itself forward and the Riksdag set itself up in opposition to the monarchy. Thus, new issues of governance took place with the appearance of two political parties: the "nightcaps" and the "hats". Stockholm experienced a period of growth again, and in 1770 the population of the city reached 70,000 inhabitants. But this growth did not last long: two wars plunged the country back into economic and social misery

Gustav III organized a coup d'état and regained power: absolute monarchy was restored. His reign marked an important break in the modes of governance that had preceded it: he was responsible for the abolition of torture, the reorganization of justice and finance. The Gustavian architectural style appeared, influenced by the Baroque style. The Gustav Adolf Square, the Opera House and the Royal Ballet appeared. The North Bridge (Norrbron) was built to allow the city to expand beyond its medieval walls. The rich settled in the north, and the poor in the south. But Gustave III was assassinated on March 29, 1792 during a masked ball at the Opera.

The first steam engine arrived in Stockholm, and plans were made for its construction and modernization.

Charles XIII had no children and was forced to choose an external successor. For strategic reasons, it is a marshal of Napoleon's army, from Pau, who is chosen as the crown prince of Sweden. Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte became Charles XIV John of Sweden and founded the house of Bernadotte which, since 1818, remains the current dynasty of the Swedish throne. The house of Bernadotte also ruled Norway until 1905. During his reign the peace treaty of Kiel was signed in 1814, since which the kingdom has not participated in any armed conflict.

Important reforms took place during the 1830s, paving the way for an era of capitalist, industrial and social development. Among these reforms was the opening of the first school offering higher education for women.

Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm, a Swedish engineer and later founder of the Nobel Prizes.

In 1845, the Swedish Society of Arts and Industrial Design was founded, the first in the world. Then, in twenty years, no less than 800 new buildings were built in Stockholm. The paving of the streets was accelerated and the water and gas networks were developed. The neo-Renaissance style left its mark on the city's buildings. The peaks and towers of Mariaberget are characteristic of this style that shaped the skyline of Stockholm. Later, the architect Albert Linghagen, a great admirer of the Haussmannian style, proposed new plans for Norrmalm, including the avenue of Sveavägen, inspired by the Parisian Champs-Élysées, which extends northwards on Vasastan. The same year, Stockholm hosted an industrial aviation exhibition, which was one of the first International Exhibitions of Arts and Industry. Then, in 1871, the opening of the central station allowed the railway lines to bring Stockholm closer to continental Europe. Electricity and telephones became common technologies in Stockholm and nearly 2,000 new buildings were constructed. The neo-baroque style gave birth to buildings such as the Parliament (Riksdag), built on the block connecting Gamla Stan to Norrmalm, and the City Hall (Stadshus) in Kungsholmen. In 1901, the Nobel Prize was awarded for the first time in accordance with Alfred Nobel's wish, "to those who have rendered the greatest service to humanity during the past year". It was then that the city of Stockholm attracted the attention of the scientific, literary and political world. The First World War broke out and marked a period of extreme poverty among the population, during which several hundred thousand Swedes left the country to settle, for the most part, in the United States. As soon as the war was announced, the Nordic countries signed an agreement that they would take a neutral stance towards the conflict. Only this "neutrality" was challenged in the interwar period with the appearance of the first institute dedicated to eugenics. Some years later, theories that favored the Nazi ideology were developed there.

The 1920s were marked by a sense of instability: governments changed rapidly and social tension increased. In 1931, Stockholm was hit by riots during which demonstrators were violently attacked by the army. This event facilitated the rise of the Social Democrats to power

The Second World War was declared. Once again, Sweden took a position of neutrality, despite the Nazi invasion of its neighbors Norway and Finland. However, Sweden was under pressure, and allowed the German army to use its railway network to transport its weapons and soldiers. The country cooperated with both the Allies and the Axis throughout the conflict. Stockholm underwent great upheaval, including the almost complete disappearance of the old Klara district, which was replaced by a modern business center. This center, City, is strongly criticized for its lack of charm, characterized by a functionalism that destroys the historical architectural imprint of the capital. The European Court even decided in 1982 to condemn Stockholm for the expropriation of property and land during this urban revolution.

Stockholm has a population of 590,000.

In response to the demographic demands posed by the arrival of thousands of immigrants from Central Europe and Latin America, Stockholm imposed a construction plan called the Million Plan. This plan aimed to build one million apartments forming cities on the city's borders. At the same time, Stockholm was equipped with modern infrastructure. Although many historic neighborhoods were replaced during this period, other areas emerged unscathed, including Gamla Stan, Östermalm and Södermalm. Today, Stockholm reflects this blend of its historical roots and futuristic vision.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is founded.

A bank robbery turns into the famous hostage situation on Norrmalmstorg, during which the hostages side with the robbers. From this episode the psychological term "Stockholm syndrome" was born.

Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme is found murdered in the center of Stockholm. The perpetrator is still unknown. A plaque is dedicated to him on Sveavägen, the street where he was assassinated.

Sweden joins the European Union.

Stockholm is elected "European Capital of Culture".

Foreign Minister Anna Lindh is assassinated.

The crisis of 2009 affected all sectors of the economy and the life of the Crown, giving way to liberal forces. The far-right party Sverigedemokraterna, the "Sweden Democrats," entered Parliament.

Stockholm is named European ecological capital. In the same year, Stockholm was shaken by elections. The political atmosphere was one of rising nationalism and xenophobia. Large popular demonstrations followed, protesting against racism and challenging the entry of the Sverigedemokraterna into the Riksdag.

Stockholm is launching new construction plans. Slussen is being completely transformed, and the banks of Gamla Stan and Södermalm will be linked by a series of new public spaces, strengthening the pedestrian connections between these two districts, which have long been separated by a maze of roads and concrete passages. A six-kilometer railway tunnel is also being built under the city center, and two new stations are being built to relieve congestion at the central station.

Riots in May 2013 broke out in a northern suburb of Stockholm. They were reportedly a response to the shooting death by police of a resident of the mostly immigrant neighborhood. The incident is followed by activism against police violence. At the same time, the riots raised doubts about the management of the suburbs and led to an increase in the number of extreme right-wing sympathizers.

The Decemberöverenskommelsen (December Agreement) is set up between six of the eight parties in the Swedish Riksdag, an outcome of the 2014 government crisis. It requires that for the next eight years, the six parties will not vote against a budget proposed by a government.

Swedish Prime Minister ends military cooperation with Saudi Arabia. The breakup follows a diplomatic incident in which Saudi Arabia allegedly prevented the foreign minister from delivering her speech.

In 2015, Sweden recorded more than 160,000 asylum seekers. The popularity of the far right soared. A year later, the country decides to tighten its migration policy, announcing the deportation of 60,000 migrants.

As Stockholm experiences a heat wave, Greta Thunberg, only 15 years old, decides to go on strike to demonstrate in front of the Swedish Parliament to force politicians to act on climate change. Refusing to go to school if politicians didn't pay attention to the facts, she inspired thousands of other children and teenagers to do the same. That same year, the right-wing coalition, Alliansen, collapsed before the victory of the left-wing Social Democratic Party. However, the latter failed to build a majority government and ended up working with other parties.

Sweden suffers around 15,000 deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and imposes no containment since the start of the pandemic. In the same year, following Stefan Löfven's resignation, Madgalena Andersson becomes Sweden's first female Prime Minister.

Greta Thunberg travels to Glasgow, Scotland, for COP26, continuing her activism

In April, riots broke out in several towns across the country following far-right demonstrations and the self-da-fé of a Koran by the leader of the Hard Line. The campaign for the parliamentary elections, which focused on the country's insecurity problems, enabled the alliance formed by the right and the far right to win the elections. This was the first time that a government had relied on a far-right party. The Sweden Democrats won a significant victory, becoming the country's second-largest party with 20.6% of the vote.

On January¹, Sweden succeeds the Czech Republic as President of the Council of the European Union for 6 months. Then, on May 18, faced with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden applies for NATO membership, relinquishing its neutral status. At the same time, the country celebrates the ^500th anniversary of the coronation of Gustav Vasa and the 50th anniversary of the reign of King Carl XVI Gustaf, making him the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history.

The music group ABBA celebrates its 50th anniversary and the country hosts Eurovision in Malmö.