Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden, founded in 1252 by the Swedish statesman «Birger Jarl». It is spread across a cluster of islands where Lake «Mälaren» meets the Baltic Sea, earning it the nickname «Venice of the North». One legend holds that its founding site was chosen when a log loaded with gold was set adrift and came to rest on the island where the old town now stands.
The City of Fourteen Islands
Stockholm today spreads across fourteen islands linked by more than fifty bridges, and its «Old Town» (Gamla Stan) preserves medieval streets that retain their original character. Since 1901, the city has hosted the annual Nobel Prize award ceremony, the world's premier scientific and cultural event, which puts Stockholm at the center of global attention every December.
- Gamla Stan (Old Town) is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe
- The Nobel Prize ceremony has been held in Stockholm annually since 1901
- The Vasa Museum displays an intact 17th-century warship
- Over 30% of the city's area consists of waterways and islands
Stockholm is known for its elegant urban design and expansive green spaces, and it stands among the world's capitals most committed to environmental sustainability and Scandinavian design.