On the dark red building in the Stortoget (Large Square) one can see several white stones scattered across the facade, each stone representing the head of a Swedish noble murdered during the Stockholm Bloodbath.
In the beginning of November 1520 Christian II became the new King of Sweden. All the noble and famous families were invited to participate in the coronation ceremony and celebrations. The coronation party went on for three days, and on the 3rd day the king suddenly closed the city's gates and interrogations with the guests began. Many were found guilty of heresy and doomed to death. In the days to follow 92 people were executed in the main square - some decapitated, and some hanged. These horrible events became known as Stockholm Bloodbath, and King Christian - as Christian The Tyrant.
Over hundred years later when the medieval house was being rebuilt, the architect decided to put one white stone for every person killed in the bloodbath. Some say that as long as the stones are there, the executed will rest in peace. However, if a stone disappears the person representing the stone will lose peace and roam in the streets of Stockholm forever. At the time of writing, all 92 stones were in place.
