Gamla stan

Gamla Stan (Swedish: The Old Town) is the medieval island city centre of Stockholm, Sweden, situated on the island of Stadsholmen. Dating from the 13th century, it is one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe. Its narrow cobblestone streets, colourful merchant houses, and historic churches draw millions of visitors annually. The area is home to Stockholm Palace, the Riksdag, Storkyrkan cathedral, and numerous museums. The oldest recorded mention of a settlement on the island dates to 1252, associated with the statesman Birger Jarl.