Bonde Palace, Baroque palace in Gamla stan, Stockholm, Sweden
Bonde Palace is a Baroque palace in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's old town, featuring a French-influenced H-shaped layout with two southern wings and northern wings surrounding a formal garden. The building currently serves as the seat of the Swedish Supreme Court and stands at Riddarhustorget 8 between the House of Knights and the Chancellery House.
Built between 1662 and 1673 as the residence of Lord High Treasurer Gustaf Bonde, the palace was later converted to serve as Stockholm's Court House starting in 1730. A fire in 1710 destroyed the original roofing, though the northern wings still retain their distinctive corner cupolas from the initial construction.
The building displays Ionic pilasters, festoons, and portraits of Roman Emperors across its facade, reflecting the artistic taste of Stockholm's elite. These decorative elements show how wealthy families expressed their status and connection to European culture during that era.
The palace is located in Gamla Stan on Riddarhustorget square and can be easily reached on foot by following the main streets of the old town. Since it now serves as an active court building, visitors can view the exterior and surrounding square, though interior access is restricted.
The palace was partially rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1710, with the northern cupolas retaining their original form. This makes the building a testament to Stockholm's reconstruction in the early 1700s and shows how certain architectural elements survived despite the destruction.
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