Indian Chief Travel Guides

Gamla Stan

The district of Gamla Stan, meaning Old Town, constituted the entire city in the mid-13th century. The land has risen since then, making the island much bigger than it was. In the 14th century, a wall was erected surrounding the two streets Österlånggatan and Västerlånggatan with the sea directly on the other side. You can see how much the island has grown since then when walking outside of these streets.

What we today refer to as Gamla Stan is usually only the main island called Stadsholmen, Helgeandsholmen where the Parliament building is and the tiny island of Strömsborg. Riddarholmen, however, which is attached to Stadsholmen to the west, is its own district.