The building of the Stockholm City Hall is one of the main attractions of Stockholm, and even a symbol of Sweden. It is built of red brick. Above the town hall rises a tower with a Golden dome, which is crowned by three crowns – the Coat of arms of Sweden.
Stockholm city Hall was built between 1911 and 1923, designed by the architect Ragnar Ostberg. It was built on the island of Kungsholmen, which was previously an island of artisans. After the construction of the Town Hall, the buildings of many state organizations were moved here.
The height of the tower of Stockholm City Hall reaches 106 meters. At its top is an observation deck, which is called the Copper Tower. It offers a beautiful view of Gamla Stan and Riddarholmen. The famous spire with three crowns (Tre Krunur) symbolizes the times when the kingdoms of Sweden, Denmark and Norway were United under the Colmar Union (1397). Later, king Gustav Vasa had titor "King of the Swedes, Goths, wends". In the upper loggia of the tower, you can see huge sculptures of saints Eric and Clara, Mary Magdalene and St. Nicholas.
The Golden Hall is the most luxurious in the Stockholm city Hall. Its walls are decorated with mosaic panels in the Byzantine style. There are about 19 million mosaic stones on the walls. Most of them are gold in color. The mosaic image of the "Queen of lake Melaren" stands out in particular. This is where the Nobel prize ball is held.
The largest hall is called the Blue one. Every year, December 10, after the Nobel prizes are awarded in the Concert hall, a Banquet is held in the Blue hall. The hall can accommodate 1300 people. The Blue hall is lined with red bricks with different shades. The architect initially wanted to paint it blue, but the brickwork looked so beautiful that it was decided not to paint the walls. Windows, columns, and decorative elements are blue. The Blue hall houses the largest organ in Europe with 10,000 pipes.
One of the most important halls is the Council Hall, where regular meetings of city authorities and important negotiations take place. The ceiling looks very interesting in this hall. It is made of ship rafters in the image of ancient Viking houses. The hall has gallery for the press and ordinary citizens.
Near the East wall of the Town Hall is the gilded sarcophagus of Jarl Birger. He was the ruler (Jarl) of Sweden in the 13th century. Jarl Birger founded Stockholm. Under his rule, Sweden became the most powerful state in Northern Europe.
