The building itself is the main attraction to Stadshuset. Designed by Swedish architect Ragnar Ostberg, the Stadshuset building was constructed between 1911 and 1923, taking multiple years. The impressive structure of the Stadshuset Stockholm was built using more than eight million bricks. It is comprised of two large squares, one within the other, that make for an outer yard and indoor hall that serves the purposes of the municipal offices.

Stadshuset is the Swedish name for the City Hall Stockholm, considered to be one of the best destinations in sweden.

Stadshuset Stockholm is located in the heart of the city of Stockholm, on the island of Kungsholmen, and in addition to being a major seat of government, is also a popular attraction for travelers

Stadshuset Stockholm

Stadshuset Stockholm

Stadshuset Stockholm is where travellers will find the Municipal Council for the city of Stockholm.

Stadshuset Stockholm at night

Gamla stan Stockholm still features many cobbled streets, taking travelers down medieval alleyways and historic roads. For many decades, Gamla stan was widely known as a decrepit area and a bit run down. A major refurbishment in the 1980’s, however, has breathed new life into this ancient neighborhood. Many of the medieval buildings have been restored and can be toured in Gamla.

At the center of Gamla stan Stockholm is the large town square, known as the Stortorget. Today the Stortorget is surrounded by old merchant houses and the current Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, and tourists will find this to be a pleasant place to stroll or get a bite to eat in one of the area restaurants. Life in the Stortorget was not always so pleasant, however. Throughout the 16th century, the Stortorget was the scene of one of Sweden’s most notorious blood bath’s, known officially as the Stockholm Bloodbath, which involved the mass killing of the noblemen of Sweden by Danish King Christian II. A long revolt and civil war followed the massacre.

Gamla Stan at night

A view over Riddarholmen and Gamla stan

Stockholm Gamla Stan

Gamla stan (Old Town), until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna (The Town between the Bridges), is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen.

Stockholm Gamla Stan street

Records from the House of Lords were not destroyed in the fire of 1834, and those can still be viewed in the Jewel Tower, which is located across the street from the Victoria Tower. The tower was named for Queen Victoria of England. Queen Victoria of England reigned in England at the time of the tower’s construction.

When the tower was built and named for Queen Victoria of England, it was the tallest and largest tower in the world, at 323 feet high to the bottom of the flagstaff situated on top of the building. The flagstaff itself stretches yet another 72 feet above the tower. Although it is not as well known as the Big Ben clock tower located at the north end of the palace grounds, the Victoria Tower is slightly taller than Big Ben.

Victoria Tower, London

The Victoria Tower, at the Southern end of the Palace of Westminster

The Victoria Tower was completed in May 1860, it was a key part of the new Palace of Westminster which was built following the fire which destroyed the medieval palace in 1834.

Victoria Tower, London

Victoria Tower, London

The Thames from Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower Gardens, with the Buxton Memorial Fountain

The tower was built in the early sixteenth century and is a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, but it also incorporates hints of other architectural styles. The structure was built from lioz limestone and is composed of a bastion and the 30 meter (100 foot), four story tower. It has incorrectly been stated that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus and now sits near the shore because the river was redirected after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In fact, the tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River near the Lisbon shore.

Upon seeing Belem Tower for the first time its astonishing to witness how well preserved it is. The tower is an impressive vision and sits on the Lisbon shores in all its well-preserved glory, not far from Alfama. Belem Tower was originally built back in 1515-1521 as a fortress to protect the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. It had been a starting point for many discovery voyages in hopes of finding new trade routes and for many sailors it was the last sight they saw of their homeland for a long time.

It’s evident that the real artistry of Belem Tower lies in the adornment of the exterior. Ropes are carved out of stone, balconies are of openwork and the watchtowers are designed in distinct Moorish style. Below the terrace lies a Gothic styled interior which at one time stored arms and was also used as a prison. Things to do here include climbing up the tower, which is the most alluring part of Belem Tower, and visiting the private quarter which offers a magnificent panorama of the surrounding shore.

Torre de Belem, as the tower is also known, was designed by an architect by the name of Francisco de Arruda. Before the tower he worked on Portugese style architecture in areas of Morocco. Arcaded windows and ethereal Venetian-style mezzanines faced the river as well as an image of Our Lady of Safe Voyage which was designed to be there as a symbol of protection for sailors off on long journeys.

In the Eastern part of the City, things look decidedly different! This whole part is being rebuilt.

Torre de Belem, Portugal

It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with the nearby Jerónimos Monastery) because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries

Torre de Belem, Portugal

Torre de Belem, Portugal

Torre de Belem, Portugal

Portugal - Torre de Belem

Torre de Belem, Portugal

Torre de Belem, Portugal

The history of pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fatima dates only to the relatively recent years of 1916 and 1917 when visions of the Virgin Mary (called Marian appartitions) appeared to three young children (primarily to Lucia Santos, a young peasant girl who later became a nun) tending the family’s sheep in the hills near the little village of Fatima, Portugal. Mary has said to have revealed three secrets or predictions, only two of which were made public at the time. Marian apparitions are not unusual in the Christian (especially Catholic) world. They have additionally famously occurred eighteen times in Lourdes, France beginning in 1858, and in 1810 in Chimayo, New Mexico in the United States. They have also occurred in Spain, Egypt, Italy, and many other parts of the world.

Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal

Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal

Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal

Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal

Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal

The Pena National Palace (Portuguese: Palácio Nacional da Pena) is a Romanticist palace in São Pedro de Penaferrim, municipality of Sintra, Portugal. The palace stands on the top of a hill above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area.
It is a national monument and constitutes one of the major expressions of 19th century Romanticism in the world. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It is also used for state occasions by the President of the Portuguese Republic and other government officials.

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional da Pena Sintra, Portugal

Palacio Nacional da Pena, Portugal

The hilltop has been fortified at least since the time of the Romans. A Visigoth fortress on the site of St George Castle fell to the Muslim Saracens in the 8th century, as the Moorish invaders conquered the castles of Portugal and sought to dominate the entire Iberian Peninsula.

As with other castles in Portugal, the Moors built much of the surviving structure of the Castelo de Sao Jorge. In 1147, as part of the Second Crusade, Christian soldiers led by Dom Afonso Henriques besieged the castle and expelled the Moors from Lisbon. (A statue of Henriques, the first king of Portugal, stands by the main entrance of the Castelo de Sao Jorge). Soon, the Christian Reconquista had retaken other castles of Portugal and the Castelo de Sao Jorge helped defend the retaken territories from Moorish counterattacks. In later years, the fortress served to protect the Portuguese monarchy from attacks by its stronger neighbors in Castile (the ancestor kingdom of modern-day Spain).

Lisbon - Castelo Sao Jorge

Portugal, lisbon, castelo de sao jorge - castle ramparts

The Entrance to Castelo de Sao Jorge

Lisbon’s Castelo de Sao Jorge, Portugal

Lisbon’s Castelo de Sao Jorge, Portugal

Stirling Scotland is about 40 miles northwest of Edinburgh, at the lower crossing of the Firth of Forth, the traditional boundary between the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands. As such, Stirling was one of the most important castles of Scotland. Stirling Castle stands on Castle Hill, a large volcanic rocky outcropping surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides, making it ideal for defense.

Stirling Castle history dates at least as far back as the Middle Ages. Settlements have been found in the area from the seventh century, and it is supposed that Roman troops also saw the site as one of strategic importance.

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle, Scotland

The history of Leeds Castle England can be traced to the ninth century, when a Saxon lord built a manor on one of the islands on the River Len. A Norman nobleman, Robert de Crevecoeur, began constructing the stone structure in 1119. The castle came into the hands of the English monarchy in 1278. King Edward I and his wife, Eleanor of Castille, made many additions to Leeds Castle, giving it much of its present-day appearance. For the next three centuries in the history of Leeds Castle, this romantic fortress was a home to many medieval queens of England.

Leeds Castle: The Royal Residence - England

Reflection of a Castle - Leed's Castle, England

Leeds Castle is perhaps the loveliest, most romantic castle in England

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

About six miles southeast of Maidstone, on the A20, stands Leeds Castle, situated on two islands in a lake, formed by the River Len. It has been described as the loveliest castle in the world.

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

Leeds Castle, Kent at night

Leeds Castle a former royal palace begun in the 12th century, Leeds Castle has to be one of the most beautifully situated medieval castles in England, projecting into its natural lake, and surrounded by 500 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens.

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

In Scotland Glamis Castle is second only to Balmoral Castle as a stop on a tour of royal residences. The current owner, the Earl of Strathmore, is the queen’s great-nephew. His family, the Lyons, has owned this Scotland castle since 1372, when it was gifted by Robert II of Scotland to Sir John Lyon. The present Earl maintains the Glamis Castle library, the royal apartments, and the sculpted grounds.Castle Scotland landscape, Glamis Castle Scotland beauty, Glamis Castle Scotland pics

Glamis Castle, Scotland

This is a beautiful castle, begun in the 1300's and the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. The photo, from the main road, captures only a tiny portion. We toured just before Christmas. The castle was nicely decorated and the tour ended with mull wine.

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Glamis Castle, Scotland