Sunsets and Skogskyrkogarden

Yesterday was spent in almost full motion. I had a plan to visit Skogskyrkogarden, the Woodland Cemetery I had heard my son talk about. He had visited it on All Saints Day, which is a big deal here in Sweden. People come to the cemeteries and light candles and it is such a sight to see. For pictures depicting this ritual, visit here:

All Saints Day in Sweden

When I came home, I had lunch at an Espresso House nearby and then went back to the apartment to rest my knees. But shortly after, I saw that the sunset was beginning so I hurried down the street towards the water to see if I could get a few good shots.

 

I had taken a virtual walk of this route on googlemaps street view when I knew I was coming to Stockholm. It looked a pretty far walk for me but it wasn’t bad at all. Just about 4-5 long city blocks and then there is the walking bridge to Gamla stan that you see above.

 

And the incredible sights.

 

 

 

This one may be my favorite. I took it from the little bridge.

 

Although I also like this one.

 

Earlier in the day, I took the subway/train south to see the Woodland Cemetery, Skogskyrkogarden. The entrance sign says "this World Heritage Site is a site of such cultural or natural value as to be irreplaceable to mankind. It is a unique testimony to the history of the earth and man".

 

The cemetery is expansive and I walked as much as I could. It is always open, and extremely well-tended. The visitor’s center is only open on weekends. It is also a very big tourist attraction. But yesterday it was quiet.

 

I have never seen a place such as this.

 

When Skogskyrkogården was founded at the beginning of the 1900s, the aim was to create something special, something original - a cemetery blending nature and architecture into a seamless whole.

Today, Skogskyrkogården is considered one of the most important creations of modern architecture, and is even inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

~ from the Skogskyrkogården webpage

 

This is such a peaceful place.

 

Many of the trees have birdhouses such as this.

 

And Greta Garbo is buried here.

 

I wanted to walk up this hill but I had already done much walking. Today I am sorry that I didn’t attempt it because it would have made such a good view from above.

 

And then I took my train back into the city. I am getting a little more comfortable with the subways although they still confuse me. Today my plan is to take the blue line system which is where I hear they have all the artwork on the walls. But it’s nearly 11 am and I am still in my pajamas. By 2, it will begin to get dark and by 3, the sun will be down. So I guess I’d better get moving then . . .

I love it here.