Restoration of Riddarholmen Church, One of Stockholm’s Oldest Buildings, Begins in Stockholm, Sweden
Today in Stockholm, Sweden, the National Property Board of Sweden (SFV) begins the restoration of the spire, the tower and the four turret spires of Riddarholmen Church. The work involves dismantling the entire 42-metre cast-iron spire, which means that the capital’s skyline will temporarily change over the coming years. At the same time, a new outdoor exhibition surrounding the church opens, illustrating its history and the restoration work now underway.
Riddarholmen Church is one of Stockholm’s oldest and best-preserved buildings. For several centuries, its towering spire made it the tallest building in Europe — a landmark visible far beyond the city.
“Riddarholmen Church is one of Stockholm’s oldest buildings. This restoration is essential to ensure that the church can remain safe and stable for many generations to come,” says Max Elger, Director General of the National Property Board of Sweden.
The spire weighs 125 tonnes and consists of around 2,000 cast-iron components that will now be dismantled, restored and reassembled. The work is technically complex, as the structure contains cracks and must be decontaminated from harmful substances (black paint containing PCBs and asbestos) that remain from a renovation carried out in the late 1960s. The tower, Gothic-arched windows and the four clock faces will also be restored to ensure their long-term function and preservation.
“We are now embarking on extensive work, made possible by the government’s additional funding for heritage properties. This support enables us to safeguard buildings that represent our shared Swedish cultural heritage,” says Max Elger.
Over the next three years, Stockholm’s skyline will gradually change as the restoration progresses. Dismantling of the turret spires will begin in February, and the major lift of the main spire is scheduled for the summer.
The restoration is part of the National Property Board’s targeted investment in culturally and historically significant properties.
This morning, SFV and the Office of the Marshal of the Realm held an event at the church to mark the start of the restoration and to inaugurate the new exhibition. The event attracted several hundred visitors. Despite the ongoing work, the church will remain open to the public during its regular opening season from May to September.
Press contact
Marcus Arskog
Head of Press Office
+46 (0)10-478 76 00
marcus.arskog@sfv.se
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