Stockholm: Gamla Stan

 Stockholm is a city of islands.  It sits on an archipelago of 14 islands aside the Baltic sea.  These islands have been occupied since at least the early Iron Age and is now the largest urban area in Scandinavia.  The islands are connected by 57 bridges.  Canals are not an important part of the transportation system.  Yesterday we enjoyed the New City.  Today, Sandy and I explored the island of Gamla Stann.  Gamla Stan, the Old Town, is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe, and one of the foremost attractions in Stockholm. This is where Stockholm was founded in 1252.  Its narrow windy streets are not capable of handling today's transportation so it has given over to the Royal Palace and thousands of tourists and travelers enjoying Europe the way it used to look.  Sandy and I were thoroughly delighted in the ambiance of this island.

Changing of the Guard at the King's Palace

Yet another Carl king, this one spelled with a C

This shop sold nothing except antique maps and copies of them

St. George slaying the dragon.  I, for one, will not stand for his undeserved demotion from sainthood.  This statue clearly shows that the dragon was slayed and that George did it.  Therefore a saint!  (The Pope differs)

Our hotel elevator

A nice Italian restaurant immediately next door to our hotel

Where we had pizza ... on a great ceramic plate

... gelato