Stortorget in sunset lights, a photo from Uppland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

Stortorget in sunset lights, Stockholm

Stortorget (English: The Great Square) is a small public square in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is the oldest square in Stockholm, the historical centre around which the medieval urban conglomeration gradually came into being.
Stortorget is Stockholm's most charming square. Ever since the 13th century, this square has formed the heart of Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm. It is bordered by beautiful patrician houses.

Ever since the early Middle Ages, this square has been a central meeting place, and on market days the square was bustling with activity. Until 1732, when the city hall moved to the Bondeska Palace, Stortorget was also the political heart of the city. Today the square mostly attracts tourists, many of whom take a break at one of the inviting cafés that border the square.

Stortorget is lined with beautiful buildings, erected during the 17th and 18th century. The west side of the square is arguably the most picturesque and gives a good idea of what the square looked like during the heyday of imperial Sweden in the 17th century. The most ornate is the façade of the red Schantzka Huset, built in 1650 and decorated with a porch with figures of Roman soldiers.

Stortorgsbrunnen (on the left)

Ever since the Middle Ages, a well stood at the center of Stortorget. In 1778 Erik Palmstedt, architect of the stock exchange building, designed the current monumental well, known as the Stortorgsbrunnen. The well marked the center of Stockholm: from here all distances in the city as well as the distances to other cities were measured. In 1857, shortly after the well had dried out, it was moved to Brunkebegstorg but it returned to its original place in 1953.

Stockholm Bloodbath

Today Stortorget is a peaceful square, but it was once the scene of one of the darkest episodes in the history of Stockholm. In 1520, shortly after the Danish king Kristian II had conquered Stockholm he promised to grant amnesty to his opponents. The king organized a large banquet to which all Swedish dignitaries were invited. At the end of the festivities, he had 82 of the guests who had opposed his rule arrested. They were all beheaded at Stortorget the following day. This didn't deter the Swedish from revolting against the Danish occupation: just three years later Gustav Vasa liberated Stockholm. (Source: aviewoncities/Stockholm)

ChrisJ, lakshmip1949, carlo62, prasun984, jlbrthnn, Cricri, abmdsudi, ebingul has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ChrisJ (86798) 2012-03-29 2:11

Hello George

A superb 'blue hour' shot with wonderful warm cold color contrasts between the yellow illumination & the blue tints. Good sharpness & the people in the piazza animate the scene as well as providing scale. I like the different colored facades of the buildings. Tfs!

ifege (9414) 2012-03-29 2:12

Hi George
One of your best from Stockholm with a good evening view - great colour.
cheers
Ian

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2012-03-29 2:54

Hello George,

A great blue hour shot with the illuminated street lights. The sparkling yellow lights contrast well against the blue sky. The people at the square add life to the scene. The colors and sharpness are excellent.

Lakshmi

cornejo (17988) 2012-03-29 4:07

György Helló, ez egy nagyon jól áll, szép képet ezen a szép helyen, szép világos, szép színek, szép a kép jól sikerült, nagyon jó technikával és nagy ügyességet. Egy jó és szép munka barátom, gratulálok ezért. Jó napot és boldog hétvégét. TFS.

Üdvözlettel.

Angel.

György Hi, this is a very well composed beautiful picture of this beautiful place with a lovely light and beautiful colors, a lovely image well done, with very good technique and great skill. A good and nice work my friend, my congratulations for that. Good day and happy weekend. Tfs.

Warm regards.

Angel.

npecanhuk (53861) 2012-03-29 4:15

Hi George!
Wonderful buildings and square!
Lively atmosphere!
Very beautiful picture!
Exposure, colors, chosen pov and composition are highlights here!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Sergiom (39122) 2012-03-29 5:26

Bonjour George,

Une très belle fin de soirée sur Stockholm. La place est pleine de gens qui profitent d'une très belle journée pour remplir les terrasses.Les couleurs sont magnifiques.

Amicalement

Serge

Bluejeans (64221) 2012-03-29 5:30

Ola George ,
Ficou uma beleza esta tua foto nesta praça em final de dia , as luzes dão romântismo a praça , gostei muito dos detalhes de arquitetura , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

carlo62 (12492) 2012-03-29 5:59

Ciao George
quanto mi sarebbe piaciuto essere su quella panchina a godermi lo spettacolo.
La foto rende veramente bene l'idea, cielo, luci, palazzi e persone a comporre un'immagine romantica.
Complimenti
Carlo

prasun984 (5590) 2012-03-29 6:26

Hi George,
Wonderful architectures photo from the square at blue hour.
Very well taken and perfect choice of your angle.
Technical perfect, excellent composition.
Sharpness and clarity are lovely.
Very well done,
TFS.

Prasun

JFS (32053) 2012-03-29 10:15

I like the perspective of this square in Gamla Stand, the atmosphere is great and the quality of your shot too. Thanks George!

Cheers,
Juan

holmertz (26876) 2012-03-29 11:14

Hello György,
Stortorget is also one of the centres of tourism in Stockholm with restaurants providing not very fantastic food at heavily inflated prices. The same story everywhere. But it's a beautiful place, and you have very successfully captured the fine atmosphere that can be experienced there on warm summer evenings. I am looking forward to this time again.
Kind regards,
Gert

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-03-29 11:37

Hello George,
Instead gives the image of peace and happiness, and also of culture. The exposure is excellent. The composition is nice. The realization is of excellent quality. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

siudzi (23837) 2012-03-29 13:06

Hi George,

Wonderful moment as well as this captured scene. A charming post executed with superb exposure, sharpness and saturation. Well done!

Malgorzata

Gigidusud (7956) 2012-03-29 14:38

Hello George,
It's an splendid square with a beautiful architecture.Fantastic light management.
Congratulations.
Ghislaine

Cricri (86327) 2012-03-29 23:40

Hi George
Très jolie place avec la fontaine et les bâtiments colorés, un endroit calme et agréable, belle ambiance des éclairages, très belle présentation
Belle journée
cricri

abmdsudi (26215) 2012-03-30 8:52

Hi George
A spectacular square, you have captured the mood of evening perfectly in a classy warm glow. Excellent exposure for the natural and mix light conditions and the presence of the figs is effective while keeping the main interest, the prominent colorful buildings well in focus. Good viewpoint, wonderful colours, sharp, enough clarity and contrast to night sky is brilliant. A splendid shot and nicely presented with excellent notes. Well done, congrats.
Have a great WE
Best regards

Silvio1953 (98001) 2012-03-30 10:35

Ciao George, fascinating blue hour with lovely facades on beautiful square, excellent clarity, romantic atmosphere and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

ebingul (1760) 2012-03-31 12:01

Hello George,
I loved the evening atmosphere you captured in this lovely square in Gamla Stan.Nice POV,colours and sky with good light management and clarity.
Congrats and best regards.
Emin

dkmurphys (36727) 2012-04-01 12:58

Hi Gyorgy,
Lovely place, I have a winter scene there. Great colors and atmosphere, well done!

Daniel