Gamla huset, Medieval building in Gamla Stan, Sweden
Gamla huset is a red brick building in Gamla Stan featuring white stone inlays across three floors and large rectangular windows. Its ground floor now contains small shops, while upper levels house apartments accessed by a central staircase.
The structure originated in the 15th century and connects directly to the Stockholm Bloodbath of 1520, when Danish forces executed Swedish nobles. White stones were added to its facade later as a memorial to those who died.
The white stones embedded in the facade serve as a remembrance of Swedish nobles lost in 1520. They create a visible connection between the building's physical form and a dark chapter in local history.
The building is easily visible from the street and accessible within Gamla Stan's central pedestrian area. While you can view the facade at any time, the residential and commercial spaces inside remain private.
Each white stone in the facade represents one of the 82 nobles killed in 1520, creating a one-to-one memorial that is not immediately obvious to passing visitors. This subtle counting system transforms the building itself into a tally of victims.
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