From atop Skinnarviksparken, the city of Stockholm spreads out before you like a living map. Did you know this tranquil park holds a secret, a smelly one at that? Skinnarviksparken, perched high on Södermalm, offers breathtaking views of Riddarfjärden and the Stockholm skyline. But long before picnickers and sunset watchers claimed this spot, it belonged to a different kind of craftsman. The name “Skinnarvik” whispers of a past filled with the pungent aroma of tanning hides. “Skinnare,” the Swedish word for tanner, points to the area’s 17th-century residents. These craftsmen, essential yet decidedly odorous, were relegated to the city’s outskirts, right here at Skinnarviksberget. Imagine the scene: the year is 1658, and Jöran Marckusson Skinnare, a tanner and landowner, walks along “Skinnarewickz-gatun,” now Ludvigsbergsgatan. The air, thick with the smell of treated hides, hangs heavy over the workshops. Their work required plentiful water, hence their location near Riddarfjärden’s shores. The area below the München Brewery was called Skinnarviken, mentioned as early as 1646. Skinnarviksparken itself, though conceived in the 1930s, officially received its name in 1915. The park and the western part of Skinnarviksberget were designed with a unique vision: to preserve the area’s natural landscape as much as possible. Today, this respect for nature creates a peaceful oasis within the city. As you wander through the park, you’ll discover the stainless steel sculpture “Progression” by Arne Jones, installed in 1979. During summer, a coffee kiosk offers refreshments to visitors enjoying the annual concerts held here. Skinnarviksparken stands as a testament to Stockholm’s layered history, a place where the echoes of tanners blend with the laughter of modern-day visitors. As you soak in the panoramic views, remember the industrious skinnare who once toiled here, their legacy etched in the very name of this beautiful park.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to