Picture this. You are standing before Norra Real. Its grand facade rises before you a testament to history. This isn’t just any school. Norra Real is Stockholm’s oldest upper-secondary school. It opened its doors on August 29 1876. A young Sixten von Friesen was the principal. He would later become a renowned politician.
Imagine the scene. Forty-four students filled the classrooms. Only three teachers guided them. It was a far cry from the bustling school it is today. The school’s original name was Stockholms Realläroverk. It changed to Norra Real in 1890. This coincided with a move to its current impressive location.
The architect Per Emanuel Werming designed the building. Construction lasted from 1888 to 1891. The five-story main building stands proudly. It is complemented by a gymnastics house and even a parking garage. Look closely. Notice the detail.
One unique feature is the sculpture near the entrance. It’s a replica of ‘Flores and Banzeflor’. The original was a bronze masterpiece by Olympic winner Stig Blomberg. This version is made of plaster. It depicts a boy and a girl riding horses. Both are nude. The students call it “Hästarna” – the horses. It’s a popular meeting spot. You might hear students saying “Let’s meet at Hästarna in five minutes”.
Norra Real has a rich history. Many prominent Swedes studied here. These include Nobel laureates Manne Siegbahn and Gunnar Myrdal. Horace Engdahl the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy also attended. So did Leif GW Persson the celebrated criminologist and novelist. Their presence echoes in these halls. Their achievements are a testament to the school’s legacy.
The school’s student union is also noteworthy. It was founded in 1999. It aims to enhance the school experience. It organizes events like freshers’ week an assassins’ guild association days and the prom. The student union has a strong national reputation.
So you stand here before Norra Real. You’ve heard stories of its past. You’ve sensed its vibrant present. Take a moment. Absorb the atmosphere. Norra Real’s legacy continues. It shapes the future leaders of Sweden one student at a time.