Stockholm, March 2 - Kungsholmen

Today the weather was much better. Today plus 5 was like plus 5 should be. The sun even showed itself for a couple of hours.

I started the day by exploring an area of Stockholm called Kungsholmen. If you remember that "holm" means "small island," you will guess correctly that this is another island. City Hall is also on this island, but I wanted to go to the area north of City Hall, away from the harbour.

I walked south, through the shopping and residential areas near the hotel, and came to another beautiful church -- Saint Clara. This is a "newer" church -- 1835. It is right in the middle of a busy shopping area, and again it has a lovely churchyard with large trees and benches. There was also a tent set up in one corner of the churchyard and there was a long line-up of men waiting for something -- presumably a hand-out of some kind. 

waiting in line at Saint Clara Church

From here I continued across a bridge to Kungsholmen. After crossing the bridge I was standing at the bottom of a hill. There was a street that curved around the hill, but right in front of me were some stairs. I looked at my map and thought the stairs might be a good idea, but I wasn't sure, so I asked a woman who was walking nearby. She was an older woman and was the only person I met who didn't speak good English. When I asked if she spoke English, she said "Yes," but when I asked what was at the top of the stairs, she obviously didn't understand. She told me not to go up. So I thanked her, waited until she was gone, and went up the stairs. 

Almost right away at the top, I saw another beautiful church, this one from 1688. This churchyard is exceptionally pretty, with stone steps and huge trees.

The next area I visited used to be an estate belonging to a city councilor named Carl Piper, back in the 17th century. There was a "summary" explanation in English, but a lot more information in Swedish.  "Rådhuset" means Court House, and in this area is the Stockholm Court House and Police Headquarters, both built in the earl 1900s. The trees and building below are from the 1600s and belonged to Piper.

Across from this was the Stockholm Court House and right next door, the Police Headquarters. These are both large and elegant old buildings with beautiful gardens -- and lots of bicycle parking.

Stockholm Court House

Police HQ - Kungsholmen, Stockholm

I wonder if the Stockholm police are happier than police in other cities, since they can work in such a fantastic building, surrounded by a leafy park. Do you think they appreciate it?

Police Headquarters, Stockholm

From this area, I took a combination of streets and pedestrian pathways to the harbour, where there is a walkway along the waterfront.

Along the way, I ran into this building, the County Hall.

no English on this sign -- I had to use Google to find out what the building is

There was a group of young children on an outing. I noticed that they all wore neon green hi-vis vests, making them easy to spot!

 When I passed this apartment building, I had to wonder whether the bicycle owners had to pay extra for their up-front parking spaces! 

On the Waterfront

 

People seem to live in some of these boats (hopefully not the half-sunken one!)

Other people live in more luxurious quarters!