Hallwyl Palace - private home from the turn of the century

The Hallwylska Palace in Stockholm, or the Hallwylska Museum as it may actually be called, is one of our absolute favourite museums in the city. We have been here several times and love experiencing the beautiful rooms with the smart amenities of the time. This time we happened to step in during the opening of an exhibition by Konstfack, which made the experience a little... different.

Hallwylska Palace in Stockholm

Located at Hamngatan 4, Hallwylska Palatset is a fantastic museum. Once upon a time, the wealthy Hallwyl family lived here, and while they were still alive, Mrs Wilhelmina von Hallwyl decided that their home would one day become a museum. As well as decorating the beautiful premises, she built up a huge collection of artefacts.

The von Hallwyl family

The Hallwyl family consisted primarily of Wilhelmina von Hallwyl (1844-1930) and Walther von Hallwyl (1839-1921). The couple had daughters Ebba von Eckermann, Ellen de Maré/Roosval, Elma von Hallwyl (who died as a child after swallowing toxic paint) and Irma von Geijer.

The house on Hamngatan 4

Construction of the house at Hamngatan 4 began in 1893 and was completed in 1898. The architect Isak Gustaf Clason was given a completely free hand when it came to finances - there were no restrictions on what the house could cost. And it shows!

Modern amenities

The facade and furnishings were done in a historical style, while the house was equipped with all possible modernities and amenities. The house had central heating, central vacuum cleaner, electric lift, electric lights in all rooms and both hot and cold running water. Fantastically modern then!

Grand Salon

The Grand Salon is by far the most beautiful room in the entire house. Here they received fine guests and entertained them with beautiful piano music.

Men's room

After a dinner in the Hallwyl Palace, the ladies retired to the ladies' parlour and the men to the smoking room. The billiard room could also be counted among the men's domains.

Wilhelmina's Collections

Wilhelmina von Hallwyl was a major collector and at the turn of the century she was one of Sweden's largest collectors of art and crafts. She collected everything from porcelain to objects and paintings and had a huge catalogue made of all her collections.

kitchen and bathroom with modernities

The servants in the kitchen had to work with modern facilities such as running hot water and an electric cooker. The Hallwyl family's bathroom was also very modern, with both a bath and a shower.

Temporary exhibitions

Various temporary exhibitions are organised at the Hallwyl Palace. Around Christmas, for example, there was an exhibition about Krakow's nativity scenes (beautiful Christmas nativity scenes from Krakow) that we had wanted to see, but couldn't make it.

A woman's voice

The exhibition is currently underway A woman's voice (8 March - 18 August) about Wilhelmina von Hallwyl's eldest daughter Ebba von Eckermann. Ebba was one of the women who fought for what was known at the time as the 'women's issue', meaning that women should have some of the rights that we take for granted today.

The intrasolar world

Another exhibition, The intrasolar world, premiered the same day we were here, and will run until 2 June this year. This is the result of a year-long collaboration between the Hallwylska Museum and Konstfack. The artists have researched the history of Hallwylska and created art based on this, which was then placed in the rooms.

Unfortunately, we have to admit that we had trouble understanding those branches on the floor of the Grand Salon, but some art is only for those who understand... right?

Hallwylska Palatset is still one of our favourite museums in Stockholm, and we can understand the desire to develop and create art. But for those visiting the museum for the first time and wanting to see the beautiful rooms, it's a bit strange. Couldn't the art have been displayed in a separate room?

Have you been to Hallwylska Palatset in Stockholm and what do you think? How would you react to the art exhibition?

Finding the Hallwyl Palace

• Location: Hallwylska Palatset is located on Hamngatan 4 in Stockholm, opposite Berzelii Park, not far from Dramaten.
• Underground railway: The nearest underground stations are Östermalmstorg and Kungsträdgården. From both these stations it takes about 5 minutes to walk.
• Bus: Several buses stop near the Hallwylska Palace, including bus numbers 2, 69 and 76. Get off at Nybroplan, Hamngatan or Norrmalmstorg.

Guide: Opening hours and prices

• Opening hours: During the high season (July - August) the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10-19. During the rest of the year the museum is usually open Tuesday to Friday 12-16 (Wednesdays to 19) and Saturday to Sunday 11-17 (2019). Please note that there are days when the museum is closed or has modified opening hours, and that opening hours are subject to change. Check the museum's website for current opening hours.
• Prices: There is free entry to the parade floor. Guided tours cost 80 SEK per adult (2019). Guided tours are free for children under the age of 19. Current exhibitions may also cost extra. Borrowing an audio guide costs 40 SEK.
• Service: There is a small museum shop. There is also a catering facility in the courtyard which is due to open later in May.
• For children: There is a playroom and special activities are regularly organised for children. Pushchairs can be left in the doorway or entrance hall, but cannot be taken into the museum wings.
• Accessibility: The Hallwyl Palace has five floors and there is no lift, which means you have to climb stairs. The spaces are not wheelchair accessible. Guided tours are regularly organised in sign language, a guide for the visually impaired is available to download as an mp3 file and easy-to-read brochures are available in 10 different languages. A carer or assistant always has free entry to the museum.
• Read more: You can find more information at the museum's website.