In the footsteps of Nobel laureates: Locations and attractions associated with the Nobel Prizes

In my last post I wrote about the Nobel Prizes, which were awarded to President Obama and the other laureates at ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo yesterday. If, like most of us, you’re unlikely ever to win a Nobel Prize of your own, you can still act like a winner and visit the various sites associated with the prizes.

Most of the Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Alfred Nobel’s hometown. The Swedish Academy, which awards the literature prize, announces the laureates each year from its headquarters at Börshuset, the old Stock Exchange Building, at Stortorget in Gamla Stan (the Old Town). Börshuset is also home to the Nobel Library and the small but well-presented Nobel Museum, which opened in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prizes. The museum tells the story of Alfred Nobel’s life and legacy, including a history of the prizes he established. It also explores the work of Nobel laureates from the first winners in 1901 to the present.

The first 25 years of Nobel Prize ceremonies were held at Nybrokajen 11, on the south side of the Nybroviken inlet. Formerly part of the Royal Academy of Music, Nybrokajen 11 is now a concert hall specializing in chamber music. There’s also a world and folk music stage known as Stallet (the Barn).

For most of their history, the Nobel Prizes have been awarded at Stockholm’s concert hall, Konserthuset, located on the east side of the Hötorget square. Built in the 1920s, this blue building has been the home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since its opening and hosts an extensive program of classical music concerts throughout the year.

The banquet following the Nobel Prize ceremony is held in the enormous Blue Hall at Stadshuset, Stockholm’s instantly recognizable red-brick City Hall with the 350-foot tower offering a stunning view of central Stockholm. The three golden crowns on top of the tower have been a symbol of Sweden since the 1300s. If you're not invited to the party you can still dine like a winner at the Stadshuskällaren restaurant, which serves a menu of dishes from the previous year’s Nobel banquet.

Following the banquet, guests proceed upstairs to Stadshuset's Golden Hall for the annual Nobel ball. The walls of the Golden Hall are decorated with gold-leaf mosaics, the most famous of which is the enormous Mälardrottningen (the Queen of Lake Mälaren) by Einar Forseth, who also did the floor mosaics in the main foyer and entrance hall of Konserthuset.

Every December since the prizes were established, Nobel Prize winners have stayed at at the Grand Hôtel during their Nobel Week visit to Stockholm. The city’s most famous hotel, Grand Hôtel has been a Stockholm landmark for more than 130 years. For three decades the Nobel banquets were held here as well, although they ultimately grew too large for the space. Currently, about 1,300 guests attend the Nobel banquets at Stadshuset.

Grand Hôtel is known for its spectacular French Renaissance interior, including a stunning Hall of Mirrors modeled after the one at Versailles. The hotel is also known for its award-winning restaurants, including the elegant Verandan, which serves a traditional (but pricey) Swedish smorgasbord and has lovely views of the Strömmen inlet and the Royal Palace.

Three days after the awards ceremonies, Grand Hôtel gives Nobel Prize winners a personal taste of the Swedish St. Lucia traditions.  On December 13, the laureates are awakened by a Lucia girl and her entourage singing traditional songs and serving coffee and saffron buns. Originally this was done as a surprise, but the unexpected sight of white-clad people with candles on their heads came as a shock to some half-awake winners, so nowadays laureates are asked in advance if they would like to be woken up.

In Norway, Nobel Peace Prize winners stay at Oslo’s Grand Hôtel, where a banquet is held following the awards ceremony at the Oslo City Hall.

Photo of Stockholm City Hall by Noemi Pal, www.imagebank.sweden.se