The Royal Palace

Majestic in scale and Baroque in style, the Royal Palace is a symbol of Stockholm’s rich and regal past. Its foundations date back to the Middle Ages, but it wasn’t until the early 17th century, under King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and his daughter Queen Christina, that the palace became the monarchy’s official residence. Its current structure wasn’t completed until the following century, after a devastating fire in 1697 forced a full-scale reconstruction. As generations of monarchs moved in, the interiors evolved — blending Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic styles, along with increasingly vast rooms and halls. Here’s a surprising number: in 2009, the Royal Palace had 1,430 rooms. These included royal apartments, guest suites, ceremonial halls, a chapel, three museums, and the Treasury, where the crown jewels are kept. That’s a lot of space to manage, unless you have 200 full-time staff to help you keep it running. While serving as a residence and palace, the Royal Palace is also a cultural and historical landmark, with many parts open to the public. One event you shouldn’t miss is the Changing of the Guard, held on the esplanade in front of the palace. It lasts around 40 minutes and begins at 12:15 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and at 1:15 p.m. on Sundays.