Lidingö

Automatic translation

Lidingö Island and Millesgården

What if the fourteen islands that make up Stockholm were just an appetizer, a tiny part of a much larger territory to explore? The Stockholm archipelago actually numbers some 30,000 islands, islets or reefs, scattered around the Baltic Sea. As a result, city dwellers can in no time find themselves totally disoriented by going to another island for a great breath of fresh air. These islands of infinite shapes, with changing lights, colors and reflections, have always been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists. Lidingö is one of them.

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Millesgården, the personal work of famous Swedish sculptor Carl Milles

Located east of downtown Stockholm, Lidingö Island is one of those outlying islands that you can visit to venture further off the beaten track. Enjoying a wild and unspoiled natural setting, Lidingö already attracted attention as early as the mid-16th century: wealthy nobles and merchants acquired land which they bought from local farmers in order to build sumptuous villas and opulent mansions, thus creating an exclusive residential area.

This island, the Swedish artist Carl Milles (1875-1955) fell in love with it. Strongly inspired by Auguste Rodin, this world-renowned sculptor is one of the main figures of Swedish art of the first half of the 20th century. Millesgården, the property acquired with his wife on the island of Lidingö has become one of the most original museums ever devoted to sculpture. His house can be visited today, with several explosion rooms and a sculpture park magnificently overlooking Lake Mälaren from the heights of Herserudsklippan. The terraced gardens are unparalleled in aesthetics, dotted with fountains and inhabited by monumental works by Carl Milles, in close resonance with nature, water and the sky.

 

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The most impressive works remain those on the lower terrace: life literally springs from matter. Statues perched on columns seem to float across the skies, posed in ellipses of greenery. Equally surprising is the sculpture "the hand of God" or "the Man and Pegasus" about to fly away. Take the time to stroll in this fantastic garden where art, architecture and landscapes dialogue in all poetry. Harmony, plenitude, serenity and panoramic views over Stockholm... Millesgården invites contemplation more than ever.

How to get to Lidingö?

The island of Lidingö is connected to Stockholm by two bridges: the Lidingöbron. One is reserved for cars and the other for pedestrians and the Lidingöbanan, the suburban tram. Lidingö is easily accessible from Stockholm: take the red metro line to Ropsten, then the Lidingöbanan-tram. For a more scenic ride on the water, board the commuter ferry from Nybrokajen in central Stockholm.

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