Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen in Stockholm

 

 

Starting from Slussen on Sodermalm, the island where our hotel was in Stockholm, we took the ferry to Djurgarden, which was either our destination or where we took the tram to go to other parts of the center of the city. This is how our day would start after breakfast.

This time however we wanted to go to Skeppsholmen where the Museum of Modern Art is, and to neighbouring island, Kastellparken. We did not know how to get there so asked at our hotel. We were told that it was the same ferry as for Djurgarden but that we had to tell the person who checked our tickets and a special stop would be made at Skeppsholmen. Hoow we would return from Skeppsholmen then - how would the ferry know that we wanted to board? 'Oh, don't worry, they will see you waiting', was the response. This worried us a bit, but this is exactly what happened - on our return, we were picked up indeed.

 

 

 
We loved the 10 minute boat ride. This is Sodermalm and its characteristic cliffs





the large brick building is the Photography Museum.

 

 The fairground, Grona Lund, in Djurgarden, the next island

but, this time, the ferry sailed across past the tiny island of Kastellholmen and its citadel

and on to our destination, Skeppsholmen.

We first crossed the bridge and headed the smaller of the two small islands, Kastellholmen

 

This is Kastellbacken, which has had various uses over the years. During the early years of the 20th century it was used as a skating pavillion

 

 
when this small harbour froze in winter.

We then walked up the hill and reached

the citadel that was built in 1848 and designed by Fredrik Blom and Carl Meijer. It was planned as part of Stockholm's defences. The wings contained billets in small rooms for 112 men. A 60-pound cannon stood on the tower platform. Below, on the battery level, there were eight 12-pounders.

At the outbreak of WWII in 1939, the Citadel became part of the fixed air defences of Stockholm. The tower and battery level were equipped with rapid-fire anti-aircraft guns. In 1956, the buildings were deemed unfit for habitation and in the 1970s they were converted into office and conference facilities.

 

Having circled the small island, we started doing the same with Skeppsholmen

These four graces were abandoned in the service area at the back of





the hotel - one of the four buildings on this small island





we enjoyed the views across the water

as well as this sailing ship 

The Museum of Eastasian art

 

 

a small marina

 

 

lots of boats here, some of which are homes

two torpedoes.

These are the public toilets, found all over Stockholm

Having circled this island too, we arrived at our destination, the back of the Museum of Modern Art.