The tower Bredablick, Skansen, Watchtower and television tower in Skansen, Sweden.
Bredablick is a red brick tower located in the northeastern section of Skansen, rising approximately 30 meters with observation platforms at its top. The structure combines solid masonry walls with open viewing areas, allowing visitors to look out across the entire museum grounds.
Construction took place between 1874 and 1876 under the supervision of King Oscar II's physician F.A. Wästfelt, following architect Johan Erik Söderlund's design. It was built as part of Skansen's founding vision to become Sweden's first open-air museum.
The name Bredablick comes from Norse mythology: it is the dwelling of the god Balder. The tower was renamed when Skansen bought it in 1892; before that it was called Belvederen, after the Italian word for a viewpoint. The top-floor viewing level is no longer open to the public.
The tower is accessible by cobbled paths from the main entrance, with tram line 7 stopping nearby. Wear sturdy shoes since museum paths are uneven and the tower stairs are steep.
The tower was built by Fritz Wästfelt, physician to Oscar II, who was inspired by Italian belvederes and first named it Belvederen. After his death in 1881 his estate listed two bears, three foxes, two eagle owls and an eagle among its assets. Skansen bought the tower in 1892 and renamed it after Balder's hall Bredablick in Norse myth.
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