StockholmArticle Free Pass Stockholm, capital and largest city
of Sweden. Stockholm is located at the junction of Lake Mälar
(Mälaren) and Salt Bay (Saltsjön), an arm of the Baltic Sea,
opposite the Gulf of Finland. The city is built upon numerous
islands as well as the mainland of Uppland and Södermanland. By
virtue of its location, Stockholm is regarded as one of the most
beautiful capital cities in the world. Stockholm was first
mentioned as a town in 1252 and was largely built by the Swedish
ruler Birger Jarl. It grew rapidly as a result of a trade
agreement made with the German city of Lübeck. This agreement
ensured Lübeck merchants freedom from customs charges for their
trade in Sweden, as well as the right to settle there. The city
came to be officially regarded as the Swedish capital in 1436.
After conflicts between the Danes and Swedes for many years,
Stockholm was liberated from Danish rule by Gustav I Vasa in
1523. Stockholm developed rapidly in the mid-17th century as
Sweden temporarily became a g