Swedish House of Nobility, Baroque palace in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden
The House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) is a palace on Riddarhustorget in Gamla Stan, built 1641–1674. Its long red-brick facade with light stone trim stands behind a low balustrade; the central section carries a triangular pediment with a round medallion and the inscription "AF KONGL. MAJ:T". A bronze statue of Gustav Vasa on a tall pedestal stands before the south front, and a green copper roof with sculpted figures runs above.
Axel Oxenstierna bought the plot in 1641 for a house 'to the glory of the Estates'. Simon de la Vallée began the design but was killed in 1642; Heinrich Wilhelm, Justus Vingboons and finally Jean de la Vallée completed the shell by 1660, with work finished in 1674. The palace housed the nobility's chamber of the Riksdag of the Estates until the 1866 reform.
The Riddarhuset name means "House of Knights", since knights (riddare) rank among the higher nobility; untitled families are also represented. The assembly hall, the Hall of Knights, hangs 2,334 coats of arms, though only 656 of the families are counted as living today.
The building can be visited, though advance planning helps as tours operate on a set schedule. Check the official website before your visit to learn about current visiting conditions and what to expect.
The house maintains detailed genealogical records of Swedish noble families and updates them regularly. These carefully maintained documents make it a valuable resource for those tracing family ancestry and history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,460 contributors worldwide.
