In this age of democracy, Swedish royal heritage still is alive and well and found in the Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden. At 1,430 rooms and 660 windows, the Royal Palace is one of the largest of its kind in all of Europe. It was built on top of the same site as the original palace, which burned down in 1697. Sweden completed its Royal Palace in 1760. As part of the design, surviving medieval walls frame some of the rooms of the building.
Within these walls, interesting displays, artefacts and artwork tell the stories of Sweden’s royalty through the centuries. As in a storybook, kings and queens of Sweden preside over functions of the throne, command calvaries of armor-protected knights (and their horses,) and entertain themselves and their guests with jesters, operas and musical balls. One can immerse oneself and almost live this life amongst the armor, dresses, suits, salons, carriages, and of course, crowns on display here.
Although officially the residence of Sweden’s monarchy, state business, and Royal Court, the public can walk through and view the Throne Room, Treasury, Armory, Carriage Room and Royal Apartments most times of the year (guided tours or self-guided, fee for admission.) Part-museum, part-office, part-living quarters, the Royal Palace has it all.