Cathedral that Gustav Vasa tried to destroy

Trångsund 1, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden

On the cobbled pavement between Stockholm Cathedral and the Royal Palace one can find markings showing the original shape of Stockholm Cathedral, the oldest church in the Old Town.

In 1554 King Gustav Vasa decided to demolish the church completely because it stood too close to the Royal Palace restricting the aiming and shooting space for the cannons and thus weakening the defense position in case of war. The representatives of the church managed to convince him of a compromise, and only the eastern sanctuary was destroyed clearing the way for the cannons of the palace. The lined paving stones show where the demolished sanctuary was.

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