Österlånggatan, Pedestrian street in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden
Österlånggatan is a pedestrian street running through Gamla Stan, Stockholm's medieval old town, connecting Slottsbacken at one end to Järntorget at the other. The road surface is cobblestone, and the buildings on either side are old stone structures with narrow facades typical of the historic quarter.
The street took shape in the 13th century as a route along the eastern waterfront of the original city. It was repaved and raised several times over the following centuries, burying the older layers of road surface beneath the current one.
The name Österlånggatan translates roughly to "Long Eastern Street", which reflects its position along the eastern edge of the old city. The street still follows the same path merchants used for trade, and the mix of small shops and eating places today echoes that long tradition of commerce.
Walking the full length of the street from one end to the other is the most straightforward way to see it, and the route is flat enough for most visitors. The cobblestones can be uneven in places, so sturdy shoes make the walk more comfortable.
Excavations under the street found that the original medieval road surface sits about 3 feet (1 meter) below today's cobblestones. Each layer of paving represents a different period in the city's growth, stacked one on top of the other over centuries.
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