Dark History Walk in Södermalm with Sweden History Tours

Stockholm•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

1 hour

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; mainly standing and gentle walking on urban terrain.

Overview

Unearth the chilling history of Stockholm's Södermalm on this vivid hour-long walk through witch trials, plague pits, and execution sites with Sweden History Tours.

Vallentuna, Stockholms län

Witchcraft, plague outbreak, gallows hill and evil death - a Södermalm walk 1h

Explore the history of Södermalm • All ages

Select participants and date

Date

Fri, Oct 24

Travelers

Adventure Photos

Witchcraft, plague outbreak, gallows hill and evil death - a Södermalm walk 1h photo 1

About This Adventure

Duration

1 hour

About

Hear about witches and the "great noise" 1676-77, experience the plague in the 18th century when the morgues on Södermalm were open pits and the poor peoples life.

Also hear about the history of Södermalm, when the railway arrived, the factories bloomed, the difference from Old town and the southern islet in regards of laws and rights etc.

Visit the site of the cholera cemetery, the execution site and hear about different types of penitentiaries and work facilities. The dead who could not pay for their own burial risked ending up in the clutches of the anatomists at the hospital Karolinska sjukhuset. Welcome back in time to a darker Stockholm!

Our start place will be at Mossebacke torg, near Slussen subway station, at the statue Systrarna (the sisters) who are by the fountain at the middle of the square..

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Meeting point: Systrarna Statue, Mosebacke torg, Stockholm

Places we visit: Södermalm

Adventure Tips

Wear Comfortable Shoes

The walk covers urban terrain including cobblestones and uneven pavement; sturdy, comfortable footwear is recommended.

Arrive Early

Start promptly at Mossebacke torg by the Systrarna statue near Slussen to ensure you don’t miss any part of the tightly scheduled tour.

Prepare for Sensitive Topics

This tour covers dark historical themes such as executions and plague deaths that may be intense for some visitors.

Dress for Weather

Since the tour is outdoors, check the weather forecast and dress accordingly; rain or wind can impact comfort.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Urban foxes occasionally spotted in quieter alleys
City-dwelling pigeons and seagulls flitting around docks nearby

History

Södermalm has a complex past as Stockholm’s industrial and working-class hub, marked by periods of disease outbreaks and harsh justice systems, contrasting with the more aristocratic Old Town.

Conservation

Efforts are ongoing to preserve Södermalm’s historical sites while adapting the area to contemporary urban living without losing its cultural identity.