stockholm weekend pics, hagaparken

fox in the woods

we explored another of stockholm's lovely green oasis' in the city.  actually, sweden is one of the largest countries in europe but has one of the smallest populations so there is always a park to explore... even in the city.  it probably has more trees than people :)

hagaparken, like other parks we have visited (see here) has a royal pedigree.  a king of long ago (gustav iii) was involved in the design process and his specks were clear, he wanted a pure english landscape.  the park is massive with a big lake you can walk around and many paths to meander along.  i had already explored the area by kayak so it was about time i explored this gem in northern stockholm by foot too.

we lunched at the koppartälten, copper tents built in 1787 for the guard's barracks but is now a cafe.  i had a delicious pumpkin and carrot soup!   in the summer, they can prepare a picnic basket and you can eat it out on the lawn.  the lawn, by the way, is man-made to resemble the rolling hills of the english countryside.

rolling down hills

we met a very happy doggie.

also in the park is a pavillon that once belonged to the king.  inside, there is roman neoclassical style furnishing but it was closed when we wandered by.  nearby, on a little hilltop, he had a gazebo, the temple of echo, built as his outdoor dining hall.  not too shabby!  and, huge marble urns imported from italy sit in the garden outside the pavillion.

walking along the paths, you are continually surprised...  there is a turkish pavilion, where the king entertained guests, and a chinese pagoda as well.  

do you see kai?

there was some autumn fun too...

we didn't explore the entirety of the park but there is also a palace in which the current king was born and raised and it is rumored that the current crown princess lives there now with her family.  apparently, she can sometimes be spotted out in the garden.


not pictured... halloween fun at a friend's home (due to water damage i no longer have an iphone but once i sort out how to access my photos i will share images from the halloween party, fingers crossed).