The reactor hall, also called R1, is a mysterious place 25 meters below KTH (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan or Royal Technical School) that not many people know. Completed in 1954, R1 became Sweden's first nuclear reactor and was mainly used for research on neutrons.

As nuclear skepticism was growing in society and the fact that a nuclear reactor in the middle of Stockholm might not be the best idea, R1's operations were discontinued in 1970. Fortunately, the incredibly cool room, minus all the equipment, was retained. With Leif Handberg at the forefront, the premises became more and more accessible to the public. Since then many events have been organized in R1, including opera and dance performances, hackathons and Ted talks.

R1 even has a functioning organ!

It is not easy to visit, so watch out for the events hosted at R1 or contact KTH.

Picture (c) Jann Lipka