SWEDEN : STOCKHOLM - HISTORY
The name "Stockholm" appeared for the first time of in the chronicle of
Eric (Eriks krönikan), probably written between 1322 and 1332. According
to this chronicle Stockholm was founded by Birger Jarl in 1252. It was
named Stockholm, as referring to the town in between the bridges.
The city houses were all rather simple, manufactured in wood, while the
Stockholm Cathedral Storkyrkan and the tower named Three Crowns, on the
other hand were majestic. It was an overcrowded city, and fires were
common making life rather hazardous. The remains from these days are the
churches, and fragmentary pieces of the houses. However, the burnt down
houses were soon replaced by houses built in a similar fashion, so, the
narrow streets and high buildings still give a medieval impression.
The 14th and 15th centuries meant rearrangements as well as enlargements
to the city and Norrmalm and Södermalm grew up rather quickly. As most
of the inhabitants were of German descent, the north German architecture
is clearly shown in the Old Town. As Gustav Vasa entered the scene,
drastic changes were at hand. He made Sweden an independent monarchy,
and Stockholm the capital of Sweden. Officially, however, it was not
until 1634 that Stockholm gained this status.
By the end of the 17th century, Stockholm had changed once more,
knights, Royal emissaries, and merchants rich enough, had palaces and
large castles constructed, such as the House of the Knights, and the
Royal Palace. Stockholm now had several quarters, and immigration into
the city increased.
During the 19th century, the city was re-built and the old quarters were
renewed, and a number of public buildings were erected, such as;
hospitals, railway stations, post offices. The trams were made the main
transportation system in Stockholm. Now, the working class was moved out
into the suburbs, Sundbyberg being the first, then others followed
rapidly. The elite, however, began moving out into Djursholm, where
villas were erected.
Stockholm was, during the 18th century, known as a cultural centre and
an important trade centre. As the steamships and the railway had their
centre here, it also became the very heart of trading on an
international basis.
During the 20th century, the city has transformed into a large
cosmopolitan city with several additional areas, all of them counted as
the Greater Stockholm.
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