Our last full day in Stockholm and I never did get a good feel for the city. Maybe that’s because it’s spread across 17 islands. On tap today, however, was Gamla Stan, the Old Town area of Stockholm. After breakfast, we caught ferry #80 in front of the hotel and a quick trip across the water took us to Stadsholmen Island.

We followed Rick Steves’ walking tour as apparently did most other tourists. First stop was the Royal Palace. This is the official residence of King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia but not the actual residence. This serves as offices for the Royal Family as well as a location for the performance of royal duties.

This is the view from the sidewalk in front of the palace.

Guard on duty.

The statue of Gustav III across from the palace.

Jerry and Debbie used their guidebook and phone to figure out where we should go next.

We walked around the palace to the Storkyrkan or the Church of Saint Nicholas,  the oldest church in Gamla Stan.

We didn’t go inside which I regret because it contains a statue of Saint George and the Dragon. Usually there is a 22 meter tall obelisk near the front of the church but it was being renovated and only 3 feet or so was left surrounded by construction signs and tape, etc. so no photo.

Then we dart down a nearby alley to a courtyard behind the Finnish church to find the statue of the Iron Boy which portrays a boy looking at the moon. At six inches tall it’s the smallest statue in Stockholm. For good luck, leave something for him. Coins and food are most often left but the little guy frequently gets a hat and scarf in the winter. Don’t steal any coins; “the boy sees everything and forgets nothing.”

Another location to find on the Rick Steves’ tour was a phone booth that bears his name. Sort of. Rikstelefon is printed on the side of the booth. No phone there anymore though. Those look like Ross’ legs!

We then head to Stortorget, “the great square” where we pass the Nobel Museum now housed in the old stock exchange building. Besides being the oldest square in Stockholm, this was the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520 when the king had 90 opponents beheaded.

The square also contains beautiful gabled gold and orange buildings.

From here we made our way down Prästgatan Lane looking for a runestone and found what was left of it behind a cannon barrel in the wall of a building. It dates from around 1,000 A.D. and states that it was raised by a couple in honor of their son.

For one more church, we checked out the German Church, sometimes called St. Gertrude’s Church for the patron saint of travelers. A nice place to sit and rest inside.

For a handy reference, the church is located between the streets of Tyska Brinken, Kindstugatan, Svartmangatan, and Prästgatan in an area that was dominated by the Germans during medieval times.

It was Midsummer’s Eve so most stores were closed except for a few souvenir shops.

A shop I wished had been open.

The most narrow street in Stockholm is Martin Trotzigs Gränd, named for a German merchant who had shops along the alley in the late 1500s. It narrows to just 36 inches wide.

I did search for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but to no avail. Ross thinks we crossed a few streets on our walking tour, however, that were mentioned in the book. Finally we walk through the gate leaving Gamla Stan.

Sheila, Marylou, and Debbie looking down the river.

Another interesting building.

A final look at the City Hall and we head back to the hotel for the evening.

Dinner was at the hotel and later we watched World Cup games along with local fans in the ballroom with its multiple theatre-sized screens.