Riksplan, Public park at Helgeandsholmen, Stockholm, Sweden
Riksplan is a public park on Helgeandsholmen island that connects the Parliament House with Norrbro bridge, with paved pathways that follow the original construction orientation on the island. Marble feed tables from the former royal stables remain in the northeastern section, while underground passages link different areas of the parliament complex.
Archaeological excavations between 1980 and 1983 uncovered artifacts and structures from medieval Stockholm beneath the park. These findings led to the creation of the Medieval Museum, which preserves the site's earlier history below ground.
The glass obelisk bears engravings by Alf Henrikson that reflect on how this island has evolved from seabed to a central place in Stockholm's identity. These inscriptions invite visitors to consider the changing relationship between city and water over centuries.
The park is an open space accessible at all times and easy to explore on foot, with clear paved pathways that make walking straightforward. Benches are scattered throughout for resting, and the area is generally easy to navigate.
The park serves as both a passageway between parliament buildings and a roof for the Medieval Museum below, with the glass obelisk acting as a light source into the underground space. This blend of surface park and buried history makes the site a hidden layer of Stockholm.
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