Wondering what makes Lilla Frescati so special? It is more than just a park-like area. Lilla Frescati has a rich history. It is also part of the Royal National City Park.
The story of Lilla Frescati begins with Villa Frescati. Architect Louis Jean Desprez designed it in 1791-1792. It was for courtier and diplomat Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt. The villa got its name from the Italian city of Frascati. King Gustavus III visited Frascati during his Italian journey.
During the 19th century, the name Frescati expanded. It began to include a larger area around the villa. The Royal Swedish Academy for Agriculture established its Experimental Field here. Other institutions followed. These included the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Also, the Bergian Garden came later. It is a beautiful botanical garden. Stockholm University eventually made its home here too. Today, Lilla Frescati and its campus are part of the Royal National City Park.
In the middle of Lilla Frescati is the Metro station Universitetet. The railway station shares the same name. This railway station serves the narrow-gauge Roslagsbanan line. In 2010, it replaced two older stations. One was Universitetet. It was further south. The other was Frescati, spelled Freskati. It was further north.
Speaking of Stockholm University, its move to Lilla Frescati started in 1959. The move was delayed. The construction of Södra huset marked a new chapter. The move into Södra huset began in 1970. It finished in the spring of 1972. Architect David Helldén envisioned Frescati. He saw it as a “sparkling glass city”. He planned several buildings in the area.
Södra huset features architectural minimalism. This is true both outside and inside. Architectural historian Martin Rörby calls it a simple construction. Its glass facades blend it with nature. The sky reflects in the glass.
However, Södra huset wasn’t always popular. Problems like the lack of an underground rail link early on caused criticism. People also complained about few lunch restaurants. There were muddy fields and more students than expected. All these issues were blamed on the “damned blue buildings”.
The architecture, typical of the 60s, became questionable in the 70s. Glass tiles fell from the facade. The separation between classrooms and offices was considered “unacademic”. Despite this, Södra huset is “blue-classified”. This is the highest classification by the Stockholm City Museum. Renovations must preserve its original qualities.
The Frescati Library is another gem in Lilla Frescati. Ralph Erskine designed it. It opened in 1983. The library connects to Södra huset through a large entrance hall. The library celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023.
Erskine’s design reflects a modern university. The library feels like an inviting living room. It has comfortable furniture and balconies. A cafe sits near the entrance. Open spaces and atriums fill the building with daylight. A renovation from 2013-2015 modernized the library. It still preserved Erskine’s vision.
The library’s north facade angles to offer views of Djurgården’s nature. The east side curves around an oak grove. Balconies jut out like command bridges on the west side. The long steel roof and two towers make it stand out.
Art is also a key part of the Frescati Library. The library houses many artworks. These range from older to modern pieces. “Private Venus” by Bianca Maria Barmen is a bronze dog sculpture. It sits in the entrance atrium. Kerstin Abram-Nilsson’s “Wall Paintings” feature a light green jungle of orchids. Leontine Arvidsson’s “Rational Decision Made on 19/4 2014 at 11:47 AM in the Span of a Fraction of a Second” is a thread sculpture. It is made of reinforcing steel.
Torsten Renqvist’s “The Battle between Angels and Birds” is a wood sculpture. It now resides in one of the atriums. Hilda Hellström’s “The Way an Algae Transforms into a Rock” explores the story of diatomaceous algae. Each artwork enhances the library’s atmosphere. They create a space where art and knowledge come together.
Lilla Frescati blends nature, history and modern life. It is a place of learning, culture, and beauty. It continues to evolve. It remains a vital part of Stockholm’s Royal National City Park.