Riddarholmen Church and ornamented spire in Stockholm, Sweden.

© BERK OZDEMIR/Getty Images/iStock

Riddarholmskyrkan

Gamla Stan


The strikingly beautiful Riddarholmskyrkan, on the equally pretty and under-visited islet of Riddarholmen, was built by Franciscan monks in the late 13th century. It has been the royal necropolis since the burial of Magnus Ladulås in 1290, and is home to the armorial glory of the Seraphim knightly order. There’s a guided tour in English at noon (included with admission) and occasional concerts. Holiday closures are frequent; check the website for updates. Admission fee is by credit card only.

Wall plates display the coats of arms of the knights. Look for the marble sarcophagus of Gustav II Adolf, Sweden’s mightiest monarch, who died in 1632. Riddarholmen is easy to reach by footbridge from the Gamla Stan tunnelbana station.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gamla Stan attractions

1. Riddarhuset

0.1 MILES

The House of Nobility once hosted some of the most influential and powerful people in Sweden's history. Built in the 17th century, this magnificent and…

2. Evert Taubes Terrass

0.1 MILES

Evert Taubes Terrass is a tranquil and relaxed spot and one of the best viewpoints in Stockholm, at eye level with lake Mälaren on the quiet island of…

3. Postmuseum

0.13 MILES

Examining almost four centuries of Swedish postal history, the Postmuseum is not as mind-numbing as it might sound. It’s actually rather evocative,…

4. Storkyrkan

0.22 MILES

The one-time venue for royal weddings and coronations, Storkyrkan is both Stockholm’s oldest building (consecrated in 1306) and its cathedral. Behind a…

5. Nobelmuseet

0.22 MILES

Nobelmuseet presents the history of the Nobel Prizes and their recipients, with a focus on the intellectual and cultural aspects of invention. It's a…

6. Riksdagshuset

0.25 MILES

Technically situated on Helgeandsholmen, the little island in the middle of Norrström, rather than on Gamla Stan, the Swedish Parliament building is an…

7. Tyska Kyrkan

0.26 MILES

Founded by a guild of German merchants in the 15th century, Tyska Kyrkan (The German Church) hints at Stockholm's multicultural past and present. The…

8. Kungliga Slottet

0.26 MILES

A massive structure with more than 600 rooms on 11 levels, Kungliga Slottet (the Royal Palace) dominates the north end of Gamla Stan. The official…