Parliament House, Stockholm

(Redirected from Riksdagshuset)

The Parliament House (Swedish: Riksdagshuset [ˈrɪ̂ksdɑː(ɡ)sˌhʉːsɛt] ) is the seat of the parliament of Sweden, the Riksdag. It is located on nearly half of Helgeandsholmen (island), in the Gamla stan (old town) district of central Stockholm.[1]

Parliament House
Riksdagshuset
The Parliament from the east.
Map
General information
Architectural styleNeoclassical, with Baroque Revival elements.
LocationStockholm, Sweden
AddressParliament House
Helgeandsholmen
Stockholm, 100 12
Sweden
Coordinates59°19′39″N 18°04′03″E / 59.32750°N 18.06750°E / 59.32750; 18.06750
Construction started1897
Completed1905
Inaugurated11 January 1905
ClientRiksdag (Riksdagen)
Swedish National Bank (Sveriges Riksbank)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Aron Johansson
Awards and prizesRight Livelihood Award

Architecture

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The building complex was designed by Aron Johansson in the Neoclassical style, with a centered Baroque Revival style facade section.[1] Parliament House was constructed between 1897 and 1905.[2]

In 1889, a competition had been held to select a design for the new Parliament building, that Johansson won.[1] Upon opening, it replaced the Old Riksdag Building (Gamla Riksdagshuset) on Riddarholmen (island).

The two buildings of the complex were originally constructed to house the Riksdag in one, and the Sveriges Riksbank (Swedish National Bank) in the second, of a semicircular shape.[1]

Assembly Hall expansion
 
The plenary hall.
 
The former second chamber, nowadays used for committee meetings.

After the bicameral Riksdag was replaced by a unicameral legislature in 1971, and the bank relocated, the building housing the bank was rebuilt to house the new Assembly Hall. During the construction, the Parliament moved into temporary premises in the newly erected Kulturhuset (House of Culture) south of Sergels Torg, also in central Stockholm.

Exterior views of the Riksdagshuset

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Right Livelihood Award

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The Right Livelihood Award has been presented to recipients at a ceremony in Parliament House.[3] The award was established in 1980 to honour and support those "offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today." There presently 149 Laureates from 62 countries.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Riksdagen—Swedish Parliament House". Virtualtourist.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  2. ^ "The Riksdag buildings". www.riksdagen.se. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  3. ^ Right Livelihood Award.org: "The Award Ceremony in the Swedish Parliament" Archived 2013-08-01 at the Wayback Machine . accessed 7.27.2013
  4. ^ Right Livelihood Award.org: "About the Right Livelihood Award" Archived 2013-08-01 at the Wayback Machine . accessed 7.27.2013
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