• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Sweden

Swedish Architecture - Visby
Visby

Like most of the Nordic countries, Sweden's most traditional architectural buildings are constructed of wood, so few historic buildings continue to stand today. Of these, the stave church in Hedared (about 1500) is the only remaining church in this style still standing in Sweden. This, along with past stave churches are supported by masts and have steep sloping roofs to prevent snow build-up.

Swedish Architecture - Stockholm City Hall
Stockholm City Hall

In addition to these early wooden churches, there are a few stone structures remaining. The town of Visby (on Gotland Island) was a Hanseatic League city, which maintains its Medieval style to this day, primarily all of which was influenced by, or entirely in, the German style at the time. Plus, Uppsala Cathedral (1200-1400s) is one of the few early churches that is still standing today and was built in the Gothic style (and re-structured in neo-Gothic in the 1800s). For some insight on a traditional village during this time, the village of Gammelstad, near Lulea is the best preserved church village, which consists of wooden houses and a small stone church.

Swedish Architecture - Stockholm
Stockholm

In the 1500s to the 1700s Renaissance and Baroque tried to make headway in Sweden, but with little success. The city of Karlskrona is primarily in the Baroque style, while Drottningholm Palace (late 1500s) has aspects of both styles and is located in a suburb of Stockholm. In the late 1700s the neo-Classical style arrived, but again will little fanfare.

In the late 1800s until the present day, Stockholm truly built up, first in the Art Nouveau style, then with various other modern designs. Stockholm's city Hall (1911-1923) is a reflection on both Art Nouveau as well as neo-Renaissance, while the Public Library (1924-1928) has aspects of Art Nouveau, but also touches on neo-Classical. Since this time, Stockholm has truly developed into a modern city as the city has no shortage of modern constructions.

This page was last updated: May, 2014