Kungsträdgården in Stockholm - and the Makalös Palace

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Kungsträdgården in Stockholm is one of the city's most well-known parks, with cherry blossoms, fountains, outdoor cafes and lively nightlife. But did you know that there was once a magnificent palace here, called Makalös? Or that the park's elms became the center of one of Stockholm's most notable protests? We took a trip to Kungsträdgården and discovered a place full of exciting history.

Kungsträdgården – from royal pleasure garden to popular park

Kungsträdgården, or Kungsan as the park is often called, is located in the middle of Stockholm, between Hamngatan and Strömmen. Here people walk, meet friends, have coffee and enjoy the flowers. Concerts, festivals and other events are also arranged throughout the year. But it hasn't always been that way.

As early as the 15th century, there was a royal kitchen garden here, where vegetables and spices were grown for the court. During the 16th century, the area was developed into a more lavish pleasure garden, with imported plants, elaborate plantings and an orangery. The garden was long reserved for royalty and courtiers, and ordinary Stockholmers had no access.

It was not until the end of the 18th century that Kungsträdgården was opened as a walking park to the public. Since then, the area has changed many times, but the park has continued to be an important meeting place in Stockholm.

We took our bikes here and took the opportunity to play tourists in our own city. It's fascinating how much history you can discover in a place you might otherwise just pass by on your way somewhere else.

The Palace of the Incomparable – a magnificent palace that disappeared

One of the most exciting stories from Kungsträdgården is about the Makalös Palace. It was located in the southern part of the park, approximately where the statue of Charles XII stands today, and was one of Sweden's most magnificent private palaces during the time of the Great Powers.

The palace was built between 1635 and 1642 on behalf of the general Jakob De la Gardie. The building was so lavish that the people of Stockholm simply began to call it Makalös. The official name was De la Gardieska palatset.

And it must have been an impressive sight! The palace was five stories high and had four corner towers, a high copper roof and a richly decorated facade with sculptures, portals and stonework. Inside there were magnificent halls for festivities, music and dancing. From the palace you could also look out over the water and the then significantly different cityscape.

It is almost hard to imagine that such a large and imposing building once stood here, in the middle of what is today an open space with a royal statue.

From private palace to theater

Makalös had a varied life, to say the least. When Charles XI carried out the Great Reduction in the 1680s, many of the nobles' properties were taken over by the crown. The palace lost its function as a private residence and was used, among other things, as a grain store, arsenal and life armory.

In 1793, the building was given a completely different use, when the Royal Dramatic Theatre moved in. The palace thus became a place for performances and entertainment, and for just over three decades, Stockholmers could go to the theatre in the old palace from the time of the Great Powers. But the story would come to a dramatic end.

The fire that destroyed Makalös

On November 24, 1825, a theater performance was taking place in Makalös when a fire broke out in a workshop in the basement of the building. The fire spread and soon the large palace was in flames.

It was a terrible tragedy. The audience managed to get out, but three people working in the building lost their lives. Despite attempts to fight the fire, the destruction was extensive and the magnificent palace could not be saved.

After the fire, the sooty walls remained in ruins. They were later demolished, and the stone and building details were salvaged. Today, parts of the palace's decorations are preserved in museum collections.

When you stand at the statue of Charles XII, you don't just see a king. Here once stood one of the most impressive palaces of the great powers, which later became a theater and finally disappeared in a catastrophic fire.

The Royal Garden during the different seasons of the year

Kungsträdgården is a park that changes character throughout the year. In spring, it is mainly the cherry blossoms that attract visitors. Then the walkways under the pink flowering trees are filled with people taking photos and enjoying the spring feelings.

The cherry trees are actually a fairly modern feature of the park. They were planted during the major renovation in the late 1990s, but have already become one of Stockholm's most well-known signs of spring.

During the summer, Kungsträdgården is a lively meeting place with outdoor cafes, concerts, festivals and various events. Then the park's large flower beds bloom in a multitude of colors. Autumn offers a calmer atmosphere, with yellow and red leaves and a different kind of beauty.

In winter, an ice skating rink is usually built around the statue of Charles XIII, and when the Christmas lights are switched on, the park takes on a very special atmosphere. Regardless of the season, Kungsträdgården is a place where there is almost always something going on.

Molin's fountain – with gods from Norse mythology

One of the park's most impressive features is Molin's Fountain, created by sculptor Johan Peter Molin. The large fountain is filled with figures from Norse mythology, and there is much to discover if you look a little closer.

The story began with the Stockholm Exhibition of 1866, when Molin exhibited a fountain sculpture made of plaster. The work was such a success that a fundraiser was started to make a permanent version in bronze. The finished fountain was unveiled in 1873, the same year that Molin died.

The fountain depicts, among other things, the sea god Ägir, his wife Ran and their nine daughters, who personify the waves of the sea. There is also Näcken, playing his harp.

But the fountain also has a connection to Stockholm's geography. The upper water bowl symbolizes Lake Mälaren, while the large basin below represents the Baltic Sea. In this way, the artwork connects the city's location between lake and sea. It's a detail that makes the fountain even more interesting. Suddenly it's not just a beautiful work of art, but also a story about Stockholm.

The Elm War – when Stockholmers saved the trees

Right next to Molin's fountain are some large elm trees, and beneath them lies the Tea House. It is a seemingly peaceful place, but this is where one of the most high-profile protests in Stockholm's modern history took place.

In the early 1970s, plans were made to cut down thirteen elm trees to build a new subway entrance. The decision sparked strong protests, and on the night of May 12, 1971, thousands of people gathered to try to stop the felling of the trees.

Protesters climbed trees and tried to obstruct the work, while violent clashes with the police occurred. The incident came to be known as the Almstriden (The Alm Fight).

But the protests were really about more than just thirteen trees. Over several decades, large parts of Stockholm's older buildings had been demolished and replaced with modern buildings and traffic solutions. Many Stockholmers were tired of their city changing without them feeling they had any influence.

The Elm War therefore became a symbol of the struggle for the urban environment and people's right to influence how their city would develop. In the end, the felling of trees was stopped and the metro station was relocated. The elms still stand, as a living reminder of an event that came to have great significance for Stockholm's history.

So the next time you pass the Tea House, it might be worth stopping for a moment and looking at the trees. They're not just any elms!

Charles XIII and Charles XII – two kings in the Royal Garden

In Kungsträdgården there are also two large statues of kings, both of which have their own history. It is easy to confuse them, but they represent two completely different kings and stand in different parts of the park.

Charles XIII – the king with four lions

In the northern part of the park stands the statue of Charles XIII, created by sculptor Erik Gustaf Göthe and erected in 1821. Around the statue are four large bronze lions, sculpted by Bengt Erland Fogelberg.

The lion's paws are on globes decorated with symbols of Sweden and Norway. This is a reminder that Charles XIII ruled over both countries during the first years of the Swedish-Norwegian union, from 1814 until his death in 1818.

The statue has also been given a humorous nickname. Because the king is surrounded by four mighty lions, it has sometimes been called ”a pot among four lions.” It is also around the statue of Charles XIII that the popular ice skating rink is usually built during the winter.

Charles XII – the king who points east

In the southern part of Kungsträdgården, on Karl XII Square, stands the statue of Charles XII. It was created by Johan Peter Molin, the same artist who made Molin's fountain, and was unveiled in 1868, on the 150th anniversary of the king's death.

Charles XII stands with a sword in one hand and points east with the other. Around the statue are four old mortars, a type of artillery piece, which were made in Dresden in 1678 and captured by Swedish troops during the Great Northern War.

This statue has also been given a humorous nickname, namely ”a lion among four pots”. Together, the nicknames of the two royal statues form a rather funny element in Stockholm’s history. And it is roughly here, by the statue of Charles XII, that the Makalös Palace once stood.

Flowers, avenues and people in Kungsträdgården

Although the history is fascinating, Kungsträdgården is also a place to enjoy for the moment. There are large flower plantings, fountains, lawns and avenues that create different environments in the oblong park.

Along the sides run two avenues, named after opera singers Jussi Björling and Birgit Nilsson. In the different parts of the park there are both open spaces and more leafy places where you can sit down.

We think there's something special about parks like this in the middle of a big city. People of all ages come together here, and at the same time, history is always present, in the statues, buildings and trees.

Attractions around Kungsträdgården

Kungsträdgården is located in the middle of one of Stockholm's most historically interesting areas. Around the park are several impressive buildings that are worth noting, and it is easy to continue the walk to other attractions in the city center.

St. Jacob's Church

Right next to Kungsträdgården is St. Jacob's Church, recognizable by its red facade. Construction began in the 1580s and was completed in the first half of the 17th century. It is a fine example of how different eras have left their mark on Stockholm's architecture.

Royal Opera House

At Gustav Adolfs Torg is the Royal Opera House, Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet. Opera activities date back to the time of Gustav III in the 18th century, while the current opera building was built at the end of the 19th century.

Grand Hotel

Across the water, on Blasieholmen, lies the Grand Hôtel. The historic luxury hotel opened in 1874 and has welcomed royalty, Nobel Prize winners and other international guests over the years.

The Royal Palace and the Parliament Building

From Kungsträdgården it is also close to Royal Palace in the Old Town and the Riksdagshuset on Helgeandsholmen. Both are well worth a visit for those who want to continue discovering Stockholm's history.

More to discover in Stockholm

• Karlberg Castle and Castle Park
• Hagaparken in Solna
• Skeppsholmen in Stockholm
• Things to do in the Old Town of Stockholm
• Things to do in Stockholm