Sankt Jacobs Kyrka (Saint James's Church), Stockholm
Standing in the heart of Stockholm鈥攋ust steps from the Royal Garden and practically within earshot of the Royal Opera鈥攚hat do you see? A majestic mix of spires and stone known as Saint James鈥檚 Church. But let鈥檚 be honest, half the population still calls it Saint Jacob鈥檚. Blame it on Swedish grammar, where James and Jacob have been duking it out for linguistic supremacy for centuries.
Dedicated to Saint James the Greater, the patron saint of travelers (so tip your hat if you're just passing through), this church is a historical heavyweight. It took its first architectural baby steps in 1580, commissioned by King John III, and then proceeded to take the scenic route to completion. Picture a group project where no one could agree on the style: Late Gothic here, Renaissance there, and a strong Baroque finish. No fewer than six architects left their mark, including Willem Boy and Agi Lindegren, just to name-drop a few.
But before all this grandeur, the site was part of Solna parish, as far back as 1311. Then came the Reformation party crasher, King Gustav Vasa, who demolished the original chapel in 1527. What rose in its place was slower to arrive but much harder to ignore. By the time Queen Christina officially opened the doors in 1643, the church still hadn鈥檛 finished decorating鈥攃lassic Stockholm fashion...
Fast forward a few centuries, and the church has had more facelifts than a Swedish pop star: 19th-century overhauls, gas lighting, heating, a shiny new copper roof in 1910鈥攎odern touches that kept it from becoming just another pretty relic.
And don鈥檛 miss the bust of Jussi Bj枚rling out front, Sweden鈥檚 beloved tenor, serenading pigeons to this day.
If you're wandering Stockholm with a curious heart and tired feet, please note that Saint James鈥檚 Church isn鈥檛 just another old building鈥攊t鈥檚 a time capsule wrapped in stone and song. So, check it out and be surprised what the past has to say...
Dedicated to Saint James the Greater, the patron saint of travelers (so tip your hat if you're just passing through), this church is a historical heavyweight. It took its first architectural baby steps in 1580, commissioned by King John III, and then proceeded to take the scenic route to completion. Picture a group project where no one could agree on the style: Late Gothic here, Renaissance there, and a strong Baroque finish. No fewer than six architects left their mark, including Willem Boy and Agi Lindegren, just to name-drop a few.
But before all this grandeur, the site was part of Solna parish, as far back as 1311. Then came the Reformation party crasher, King Gustav Vasa, who demolished the original chapel in 1527. What rose in its place was slower to arrive but much harder to ignore. By the time Queen Christina officially opened the doors in 1643, the church still hadn鈥檛 finished decorating鈥攃lassic Stockholm fashion...
Fast forward a few centuries, and the church has had more facelifts than a Swedish pop star: 19th-century overhauls, gas lighting, heating, a shiny new copper roof in 1910鈥攎odern touches that kept it from becoming just another pretty relic.
And don鈥檛 miss the bust of Jussi Bj枚rling out front, Sweden鈥檚 beloved tenor, serenading pigeons to this day.
If you're wandering Stockholm with a curious heart and tired feet, please note that Saint James鈥檚 Church isn鈥檛 just another old building鈥攊t鈥檚 a time capsule wrapped in stone and song. So, check it out and be surprised what the past has to say...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Stockholm. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Sankt Jacobs Kyrka (Saint James's Church) on Map
Sight Name: Sankt Jacobs Kyrka (Saint James's Church)
Sight Location: Stockholm, Sweden (See walking tours in Stockholm)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Stockholm, Sweden (See walking tours in Stockholm)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Stockholm, Sweden
Create Your Own Walk in Stockholm
Creating your own self-guided walk in Stockholm is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sodermalm District Walking Tour
S枚dermalm, or "S枚der" for short, is a borough in central Stockholm, incorporating a large island of the same name (formerly known as "脜s枚n"). Although considered an island, the water surrounding S枚dermalm to the north and south does not flow freely but passes through a series of locks. Visitors are charmed by the borough's narrow, cobbled streets and neat squares, as... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
City Center (Norrmalm) Walk
Once upon a cobblestone, Norrmalm wasn鈥檛 even part of Stockholm. Up until 1635, it was a town of its own before it decided to join the 鈥渂ig leagues.鈥� Fast forward a few centuries, and this central district has become a spirited jumble of old-world charm and postwar boldness. The 1950s and 鈥�60s came in swinging wrecking balls, knocking down swathes of old buildings to make room for future... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The Museums Island Walk
With almost 70 museums in operation, Stockholm is one of the richest (in terms of museums) cities on the planet. The island of Djurg氓rden, a cultural hotspot inside the capital, also known as the Museums Island, is home to an array of museums and other cultural attractions suitable for visitors of all ages.
One of the most renowned venues on the island is Scandinavia鈥檚 most popular museum,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
One of the most renowned venues on the island is Scandinavia鈥檚 most popular museum,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 15 Distinctly Swedish Products to Buy in Stockholm
If you come to Stockholm on the trail of Karlsson-on-the-Roof character (Swedish: Karlsson p氓 taket), created by Astrid Lindgren, you're bound to enjoy yourself big time! Just don't forget to spare some time for gift shopping, so as to please your loved ones back home. In doing so, you...