Architecture
Old light switch
A push-button lightswitch in the hallway of a Stockholm apartment building. Continue reading
Malmö’s Turning Torso
For decades, Malmö was easily recognized by the image of a monstrous, seaside gantry crane. When plans were announced to remove it in the 1990′s, a movement began to establish a new icon for the city, resulting in this unique, twisting, 54-story skyscraper. Continue reading
Alternate Reality Check
Is this thing on? Can you hear me? Testing, testing… Today’s report is being broadcast to you all the way from Kentucky, in the heart of God’s Great United States. … Continue reading
Street scenes
It’s another installment of pictures of regular, everyday things how they look in Sweden. This time it’s stuff on the street. Garbage can. Illegally-parked Corvette. Amazing. People who drive these … Continue reading
Karlaplan
Karlaplan is a picturesque area of Stockholm on the island of Ãstermalm where five major streets meet to form a star. Inspired by similar street plans in Paris, construction on … Continue reading
Saltsjöbanan
Saltsjöbanan is one of Stockholm’s oldest local rail lines. The 18-station line has been operating over 115 years and covers an end-to-end distance of about 11 miles (18 km). The … Continue reading
Last train to Clarksville
I’ve received a lot of comments and questions about my previous stories comparing the public transit systems in Louisville and Stockholm (or maybe I should I say: comparing Stockholm’s public … Continue reading
Almost too pretty
Sometimes Stockholm is so pretty I could just shit.
Axelsberg Station
The Tunnelbana Station in the Stockholm neighborhood of Axelsberg has the name of the area spelled out in a giant glass, concrete, stone and iron sculpture that stretches the entire … Continue reading
Picture perfect
Sometimes when I’m in Stockholm, I happen to glance at something and think to myself, “Wow, that really looks like Sweden.” Of course, it is Sweden. In fact, Sweden is … Continue reading
Hermans and Gröna Lund
My favorite restaurant in Stockholm is Hermans which is a huge vegetarian buffet that is open late. Not late like Louisville-late, but like 10:00 or 11:00 at night. That’s pretty … Continue reading
180° View from Skinnarviksberget
The rocky hills at Skinnarviksberget are a fantastic place to relax, have a picnic or just to take in a panoramic view of Stockholm. I was doing all of those … Continue reading
360° view from Västra Skogen
Another panoramic view of Stockholm. This one is from a hilltop in the area known as Västra Skogen whose name means “western forest.” Click to view full size
Doorbells and elevators
One of my favorite reappearing signs in Sweden is this one that is posted near many elevators. Some of the elevators here don’t have automatic doors that open and close … Continue reading
Stockholm from Mariaberget
These two images stitched together offer a lovely view of Stockholm from a hilltop park at a recent grillfest. Click for enlargement. I’m all for minimalist Swedish design, but come … Continue reading
Kristineberg
My new favorite part of Stockholm is a neighborhood known as Kristineberg. Last week, I hung out in parks there a couple days in a row to enjoy the weather … Continue reading
Space Invaders at Thorildsplan
As we’ve learned in several previous stories, Stockholm’s Tunnelbana (subway) system is often called “the world’s longest art exhibition.” Each station has been decorated by a different artist or several … Continue reading
360° view from Långholmen
On my Saturday afternoon walk, I made this 360° view of Stockholm from a park at the top of a big hill on LÃ¥ngholmen. Click images to view full size … Continue reading
Bandhagen
Here are some scenes from the Tunnelbana station at Bandhagen. The art installed at this location includes a gigantic measuring tape which bends through the entire station, from the outer … Continue reading
Midsommarkransen
This weekend will bring the Midsommar Festival in Sweden, a tradition which goes back many centuries and marks the longest day of the year. As you might have guessed, midsommar … Continue reading
Blue Line through T-Centralen
The Blue Line Tunnelbana station deep beneath T-Centralen hub was designed in 1975 by Per Olof Ultvedt. It’s a multi-level station with monstrous caverns of exposed rock, gigantic escalators and … Continue reading
Nationaldagen and the Royal Palace
Let’s take a look at a selection of photos from last Saturday which was Sweden’s National Day. How does that sound? Would you like that? Hmm? I’ve heard a lot … Continue reading
Slussen and 8664 revisited
Last Thursday, I posted a story about the upcoming reconstruction of Stockholm’s central Slussen interchange. In detailing the project, I discussed how it reminded me of a gargantuan project in … Continue reading
360° view from Slussen
Here is another 360-degree image I made recently in Stockholm. In this view from Slussen, you can see Gamla Stan (the old town) across the water, the circular Berg Arkitektkontor … Continue reading
Vasastaden
Here are a few photos from Vasadstaden, a central Stockholm neighborhood that originated in the late 1800′s. These photos were taken from the top of a hill in Observatorielunden, a … Continue reading
Dark skies over Gamla Stan
A few images of dark clouds moving in over Gamla Stan (The Old Town) last week. The gold-tipped building is Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset), completed in 1923. You can see … Continue reading
Solna Centrum station
Stockholm’s subway system is not just extensive – 100 stations in a city roughly the size of Louisville – but also quite beautiful. Each Tunnelbana station has been decorated with … Continue reading
Cherry blossoms at Kungsträdgården
Here are a few scenes of cherry blossoms in bloom at Kungsträdgården (the King’s Tree Garden), a long open plaza lined with trees in central Stockholm. The garden dates back … Continue reading
More Stairs and Coffee
Public stairs in Sweden almost always have accompanying ramps or elevators. The ramps are used for wheelchairs, bicycles, rolling suitcases, baby carriages, you name it. Here is a small sampling … Continue reading