Every year, the Swedish Academy commemorates Alfred Nobel's legacy by awarding a series of prizes to people who have made outstanding contributions to the sciences and arts. You might not get a coveted invite to the ceremony but you can admire collections commemorating both Nobel and the prize recipients at this small but fascinating museum.
The Nobelmuseet occupies the Börsen building – the old Stock Exchange – which forms the north side of Stortorget, the historic main square in Gamla Stan. The collection charts the history of the Nobel Prizes and their recipients, with a focus on the intellectual and cultural aspects of invention. Installations change but the main focus is on demonstrating the value of the prize winners to ordinary people's lives either through invention or through impact. There's a wealth of touch-screen info to read, personal items gifted by prize winners and 36 short films that include interviews with laureates including Ernest Hemingway and Martin Luther King. In the cafe, look out for chairs that have been signed by the visiting prize recipients (flip them over to see).
This is probably one of the most accessible museums in Stockholm – high praise for a city that does more than most to include persons with disabilities. If you need it, you can borrow a wheelchair or a magnifying glass from the front desk. Free, highly recommended guided tours of the museum (35 minutes) run several times daily; see the website for the current schedule.
