Nalen
Nalen is a unique building with a long and fascinating history. Completed in 1888, the building was used for a range of public purposes from the very outset – from a cycling school to Christmas parties, bazaars, political meetings and sporting events. From the mid-1930s to the late 1960s Nalen was the hottest place to be in Stockholm, perhaps all of Sweden.
All the rooms in this building were made for celebrations in all their forms, and perfectly suited for every occasion; from informal mingling to a sit-down gala dinner. Most things can be moved, converted and changed before a celebration. The Grand Hall prides itself on having one of the biggest dance floors in Stockholm.
It has since painstakingly been renovated in order to preserve all its original charm, and is at the same time ideal for modern shows, celebrations and conferences. At Nalen, the new meets the old, the magnificent meets the intimate.
Clarion Sign hotel
The EUROCITIES 2009 Stockholm conference will be held in the Clarion Sign hotel, Stockholm's largest hotel which opened in February 2008. It is located in the heart of Stockholm city, right next to the Central Station and within walking distance to all major attractions as shops, cultural activities and business headquarters.
The hotel was designed by the well-known Swedish architect, Gert Wingårdh. Dominated by granite and glass, it leans over the Norra Bantorget square, reflecting the green park. The interior was provided by Scandinavian design icons, such as Arne Jacobsen, Bruno Mathsson and Alvar Aalto. Wander around the hotel and discover world famous furniture, such as Egg, Wave and Lily, classic pieces that have been around for up to 50 years and will stay the same for another 50, at least.
City Hall
The City Hall is the main symbol of the capital of Sweden, and is the seat of the local administration. It is one of the most beautiful and well known buildings in Stockholm, frequently used for prestigious events e.g. the yearly Nobel Banquet.
Architecturally, Stockholm’s City Hall is one of Sweden’s foremost examples of “national romanticism”. After twelve years of construction overseen by architect Ragnar Östberg, the building was inaugurated on Midsummer’s Eve in 1923. More than 8 million bricks were used in the building of City Hall, which took eleven years to complete at a cost of more than SEK 18 million.
During our conference, the Gala Dinner and the Awards Ceremony will be held in the Blue Hall, the City Hall’s largest banquet room. Original plans called for the bricks in the hall to be painted blue but the architect had a last-minute change of heart and chose to keep the natural red colour of the bricks instead. At this point however, the name Blue Hall was so firmly established that it was too late to change, so the name remained despite the fact that the hall is not actually blue.
In the logo for EUROCITIES 2009 Stockholm, we have used a stylistic version of the City Hall Tower. It is topped by three crowns, the Swedish national coat of arms, and rises 106 meters above the edifice. The City Hall with its many offices, meeting rooms, council chambers and banqueting halls provides a workplace for politicians as well as civil servants.
The City Hall is known for its hospitality, its unique art treasures, magnificent banquets and an intriguing history attracting close to 400,000 visitors a year.
The venues are marked on this map.