Storkyrkan, Stockholm

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As well as St George & the Dragon there are a few other points of interest within this beautiful cathedral. These include a 600 year old bronze candelabra which sits in front of the prized silver altar. Check out the pulpit as well the paintings The last Judgement and The Parhelion Painting

The interior of the Storkyrkan contains some interesting artifacts but the most famous is the huge St George & The Dragon sculpture. It was made by Berndt Notke of Lubeck, from materials that included oak and elk antlers, way back in the late 1400s. It was commissioned by Sten Sture the Elder to commemorate his victory over the Danish who had invaded Stockholm. Perhaps he saw in himself the legend of St George and the Danish as the Dragon that he slayed to save the city! Definitely something to check out when you are in the cathedral. Stand back to take in the whole sculpture but when you go up close you can see the work that has gone into it and see how it is made from natural materials.

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Stockholms main cathedral is Storkyrkan which is located in Gamla Stan, right beside the Royal Palace at the top of Slottsbaken. Its been a cathedral since 1942 but its believed that the cities founder, Birger Jarl, first had a church built on this site back in the 1200's. The warm yellow coloured exterior of the current Cathedral is influenced by Italian Baroque. The entrance is on Trangsund

Sankt Nikolai kyrka (Saint Nicolaus Church) is the original name of the Church that is now more popularly known as Storkyrkan (implying 'The Great Church'). It is the oldest church in Gamla Stan and is located very close to the Royal Palace. It is this Church where the Swedish kings used to be crowned earlier on but not at present. The last king to be crowned here was King Oscar II in 1873.

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Another source of information says this sculpture was unveiled in 1489 as an altar monument for the shrine of St George. Commissioned by Sten Sture the Elder this sculptural ensemble was created by Berndt Notke of Lubeck from materials such as oak and elk antlers.

The story of St George and the Dragon has the knight saving the princess from sacrifice to the dragon and it was thought that Sten Sture saw himself as the knight who saved the princess/Stockholm after fighting off the forces of the King Christian of Denmark and thereby rescuing Stockholm from the Danish invaders.

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Storkyrkan is the seat of the bishop of Stockholm. The church was built in the 13th century, but has been altered a few times during the years.
Inside the church stands an interesting sculpture of St. George and the dragon from the late 15th century.
Opening times: May-Sept. 9am-6pm, Oct.-April 9am-4pm.

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Stockholm's 700 years old cathedral has been of prime importance to the Swedish state church. Storkyrkan served as a base of the reformer Olaus Petri (1493 - 1552) who spread the Lutheran message throughout Sweden. And, up to the present day, all important royal ceremonies are held at the cathedral.
In 13th century the first small church was built at this spot. In 1306 it was replaced by the bigger Nikolaus basilica, which repeatedly was extended and modified during the upcoming centuries. In 15th century the inner rooms were embellished in the style of the Gothic period. The cathedral houses several works of art of unestimable cultural value. One of the most splendid late Gothic sculptures of Northern Europe can be found right left of the altar. This magnificent feat of the German sculptor Bernt Notke was created in 1489 and shows St. George and the Dragon. The sculpture was made of oak and elk's antlers to honour Sten Sture who, in 1471, prevailed over the Danes. Another one of the cathedral's treasures is the 3,70 metres bronze candlestick, also of German origin, which decorates Storkyrkan for more than 600 years now. Close to the exit you will find an interesting medieval painting showing the light phenomenon observed above Stockholm in the 16th century - 6 glittering sun rings appeared in the sky over the city at April 20th 1535. The above mentioned painting of this occurence also shows the oldest preserved view of the Swedish capital.

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I walked slowly through the Cathedral taking a look at all the beautiful and interesting things. The first thing that you will see and that you want to take a picture of is the pulpit. The pulpit in the Cathedral is from the year 1700, and was carved in magnificent and extravagant style by the sculptor Burchardt Precht. It is all gold and glittering and there are so many details that it is hard to see each and every one of them. Under the pulpit lies the tombstone of Olaus Petri, the Swedish Reformer.

Only a few steps from the pulpit, in the middle of the Cathedral, you can see the two Royal pews (photo 2). The pews are used only by members of the Royal Family when attending official ceremonies in the Cathedral. You can't get close to the pews (and not secretly sit in them either, lol) as the area around them is fenced of. The pews were masterfully designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger in 1684, and have set the tone for much of the later ornaments in the Cathedral.