National Library of Sweden

The National Library of Sweden, or Kungliga biblioteket, is Sweden’s national research library at Humlegården, with its main entrance on Humlegårdsgatan 26 in Östermalm. Designed by architect Gustaf A. Dahl, the Neo-Renaissance building had its foundations laid in 1871, became an independent government institution in 1877, and opened to the public on 2 January 1878; architect Axel Anderberg added the east and west wings in 1928. Its collections trace back to the royal libraries of Gustav Vasa and include Sweden’s legal-deposit publications, rare books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, and audiovisual material. The building’s cast-iron construction and grand reading rooms make it especially notable, while its setting inside Humlegården places it beside the park’s statue of Carl von Linné and close to Stureplan. Public opening hours are Monday–Thursday 09:00–19:00, Friday 09:00–18:00, and Saturday 11:00–15:00; access to special collections and archival material generally requires advance contact because items may need to be retrieved.