Stortorget, which translated from Swedish means “Big Square,” is the historic center of the oldest district of the city, Gamla Stan. Since ancient times, this place was considered the eventful heart of Stockholm — various gatherings and events were held in the square, and brisk trade flourished. It was here in 1520 that a bloody drama unfolded, during which, on the orders of the Danish king Christian II, 82 nobles accused of heresy were brutally executed. However, today this is hard to believe — Stortorget is now quiet and cozy.
In the center of the square stands an old well, which in the 18th century was turned into a fountain by the famous architect Eric Palmstedt. Here you can also see merchants' houses with bright facades and the famous building of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Until 1990, stock exchange trading took place there, and now it is occupied by the Swedish Academy — the very one that awards the Nobel Prize in Literature every year. In addition, this building houses the Nobel Museum and the Nobel Library.
