Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm was founded in 1252 by Birger Jarl as the old capital of Sigtuna was constantly plundered. The first castle of Stockholm was built the same year. The Black Death killed 1/3 of Sweden’s population, and then in 1391 the Danes besieged the city, amalgamating the crowns of Sweden, Norway and Denmark under the Kalmar Union. From 1937 the city was constantly embattled as various Danish and Swedish factions struggled for power.

Sweden was able to finally break away from the Danes in 1523, but it wasn’t easy. When the Danish King Christian II came to Stockholm to celebrate his ascent to the throne, he tricked, trapped and beheaded 82 rebellious nobles. One of the victims had a son, Gustav Vasa, who led a successful resistance in 1523 and became Sweden’s first king on 6 June 1523, now Sweden’s national day.

The Vasa dynasty transformed Stockholm into a major military hub during the Thirty Years War. By 1650 the city had a thriving artistic and intellectual culture and nice new look. The castle, however, burned down in 1696 and had to be rebuilt. Constant battles with Russia shrunk the Swedish empire. 

Industry came to Stockholm once the train lines were connected in 1871, and the population experienced a massive boom. Stockholm hosted the 1912 summer Olympics. Sweden was neutral during WWII and became a hot spot for Jews from the Baltics.