Royal Palace Lions, Bronze sculpture in Gamla stan, Sweden.
The Royal Palace Lions are two massive bronze and granite figures positioned on the northern side of Stockholm's Royal Palace in Gamla stan. They flank the entrance area and form a cohesive composition together with the palace's architecture.
The artist Bernard Foucquet the Elder created these lions in 1711, when the Royal Palace was undergoing extensive architectural changes. The statues were made during a period when the royal residence was being expanded and modernized.
The lion sculptures represent classic symbols of royal power and are perceived by visitors as majestic guards standing at the entrance to watch over the palace.
The lions are accessible throughout the year and stand beside the northern entrance of the palace, near the Lejonbacken ramps. Visitors can easily reach them on foot while walking through the old town.
The bronze used for these lions came from melted statues originally taken from Denmark's Kronborg Castle, reflecting an intriguing chapter in Swedish-Danish relations. This material origin gives the sculptures a hidden historical depth.
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