History of Stockholm
Many exciting and interesting things have happened since Stockholm was founded by Birger Jarl in 1252.
Prästgatan in July. Photo: Sofia Andersson
1252 – The city of Stockholm is founded by Birger Jarl.
Mid 13th century – The palace Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) is erected by Birger Jarl on the site where Stockholm’s palace stands today, strategically located to control the shipping lanes between Mälaren and Saltsjön.
1300 – Stockholm becomes the regions most important trade city, the first street grid is build and docks are built along Stockholm’s beaches.
1400 – The city’s population reaches 5 000, mainly Swedes, Germans and Finns. Stadsholmen, today called Gamla Stan, is densely populated with poor hygiene as a result. Faecal matter and garbage is thrown straight out onto the streets and diseases spread fast.
1436 – Stockholm is for the first time mentioned as the capital of Sweden.
1471 – The battle at Brunkeberg, on Norrmalm, was fought between the Swedish regent Sten Sture senior’s forces, who’s goal was to liberate Sweden from the Kalmar Union, and the Danish King Kristian I. Sten Sture was victorious and the battle is remembered with the statue “St. Göran and the dragon” that can be found inside Storkyrkan Church.
1500 – The city’s population reaches 7 000-8 000.
1520 – The Danish king Kristian II invades the city and the palace Tre Kronor falls into Danish hands. While Kristian is crowned, the famous “Stockholm blood bath” is initiated on Stortorget, where 82 people are killed during the following days.
1523 – Gustav Vasa invades Stockholm. Stockholm’s significance is strengthened and a strong central power is formed.
1600 – The city’s population reaches 9 000.
1628 – The warship Vasa sinks during its maiden voyage, a few minutes after having left port.
1636 – In the rebuilding process after a severe fire on Stadsholmen, a new city plan is approved with a grid system of straighter and wider streets.
1650 – Stockholm begins expanding beyond Stadsholmen and the population has ig uincreased to 50 000.
1697 – The great palace fire occurs and Tre Kronor is burned to the ground.
1710 – The plague reaches Stockholm.
1750 – The Royal Palace is completed to replace Tre Kronor.
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The Royal Palace, founded in 1750. Photo: Sofia Andersson
1771 – 1792 – During King Gustav the third’s rein the city evolved culturally. He, among other things erected the Royal Opera, the Musical Academy, the Swedish Theatre and the Swedish Academy.
Early 19th century – Stockholm and Sweden experience a period of stagnation. Dense urban population, famine, illness and a high infant mortality rate are major problems. The failure of the crops leads to mass migration to Stockholm.
1850 – The population reaches 100 000.
1860-1885 – Industrialisation gives Stockholm a boost and new employment opportunities are created. The population explodes to 300 000 within a 35-year period. A new city plan with Parisian influence is adopted, characterised by wide streets and avenues gives Stockholm a big-city feeling. Gas street lights and horse drawn streetcars ease daily life.
1900 – The horse drawn street cars are replaced by electric ones and running water and underground sewers become more and more common.
1936 – Bromma airport opens for business.
1950 – Stockholm’s subway system is unveiled.
1959 – Arlanda – Stockholm’s international airport – is opened.
1955-1966 – The five Hötorg sky scrapers are built.
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Photo: Sofia Andersson
1950-1970 – Apartment buildings in the city district Klara on Norrmalm are torn down to make room for office buildings, as the city’s politicians strive to create a modern city centre, Stockholm City. The project is today referred to as “City Sanitation”.
1973 – The drama at Norrmalmstorg square occurs: a hostage situation at the Kreditbanken bank by Norrmalmstorg square. Clark Olofsson is one of the perpetrators and the term Stockholm Syndrome is coined: a psychological condition where hostages develop a relationship with their abductors.
1989 – Globen, the world’s larges spherical building, is completed. The arena has been host to countless hockey games, tennis games, concerts featuring international superstars, the MTV Europe Music Awards seen by almost a billion viewers, etc.
1998 – Stockholm is the cultural capital of Europe.
2006 – The so-called Stockholm experiment is implemented, with a congestion charging system for vehicles travelling in the downtown area as quay component. The congestion charging system is today a permanent solution.
2007 – The population in the province of Stockholm reaches 2 million.
2008 – The NHL-premier game between the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins is played in Globen before the eyes of both Swedish and American fans. This is the first time a NHL game has been played outside of North America.
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