Stockholm’s Tunnelbana Subway Art

My favourite mode of transport during my stay in Stockholm is the subway or Tunnelbana. I have read about the art work, in some form or other, present at 90 of the 100 subway stations in Stockholm prior to my visit.

My first few rides on the subway was focused on getting to my destinations without getting lost. Once familiarised with the subway system, I started to notice the art pieces and captured the images as I used the subway.

No need for fancy camera equipment or settings as the artists and designers did an excellent job of lighting up these stations. These are the images shot with my Samsung phone camera at the various subway stations.

Solna Strand Station

Even a set of escalators in the subway could look good on a photo.

The Solna Strand Station is along the Blue line and is not a particularly interesting station in terms of the subway art.  However, the escalators leading to the surface made a nice photo.

Rådhuset (Court House) Station

This station is along the Blue line and used to assess attractions like the Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset) or Norr Malarstrand.

The structures next to the escalators seemed like the builders of the Rådhuset station had uncovered some buildings’ structural footings while digging the cavern for the station. But it is just mimic.

 

The cavern in the Rådhuset underground station is painted in reddish clay colour and contrasted nicely with the blue livery of the  Stockholm subway trains.

Look up on the ceilings of the cavern and spot the pair of oversized boots.

Pair of boots on ceiling of Rådhuset Station.

Fridhelmsplan Station

This station is on the interchange between the Blue line and Green line. It is one of the stations with colourful lighted escalators.

Escalators with colourful lights at some of the station.

This station also featured a glass case displaying a small sailing boat.

Stadion Station

Another station known for its striking colours. Located on the Red line, this station featured a giant underground rainbow with blue skies in the cavern. The rainbow colours are actually based on the Olympic colours.

The Stadion Station is a tribute to the Olympic Games, which were hosted in Sweden in 1912.

Tekniska Högskolan Station

One stop from the Stadion Station, this station on the Red line serves the students of the Royal Institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan or KTH).

 

This dodecahedron represents the four classical elements – fire, air, water and earth.

I was not too surprised to see some hi-tech looking art work in a station near a university known for engineering.

Universitetet

Another station on the Red line that is linked to a local university. I used this station to get to the Stockholm University (Stockholms Universitet), Museum of Natural History (Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet) and the nearby Brunnsviken nature park.

Long piece of mural with many words behind the Universitetet station’s tracks.

One of the first things that captured my attention was the long piece of mural with many words behind the station’s tracks . This station promotes democracy and human rights and the tiled mural on the wall is based on The UN Declaration of Human Rights.

The tiled mural on the wall is based on The UN Declaration of Human Rights.

The word Respekt (Respect) stands out in black.

Tiles on the passageway featuring map and images linked with Carl von Linné, a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist.

The emergency exits at this station is also quite eye catching and functional. Who can miss the obvious exits when in a panic mode.

Emergency exits at the Universitetet station in striking colours.

Östermalmstorg Station

Located in the posh district of Östermalms near the city centre, this station features work by artist Siri Derkert. The artwork highlights women's rights, peace and environmental issues.

Östermalmstorg Station features the work of Siri Derkert, one of Sweden’s most famous artists in the 20th century, on the walls by the tracks.

This looked like the fossil of a fish at the Östermalmstorg Station.

Kungsträdgården Station

The starting station on the Blue line, this station is one of my favourites in terms of subway art.

Going down the escalator to the train’s deep underground platform, look up and see the piano keyboard painted on the ceiling.

Piano keyboard painted on the ceiling above the escalators of the Kungsträdgården Station.

Once on the track platform, turn back to see the colourful artwork on the walls and ceiling and even the checked tiles on the floor.

Colourful artwork on the walls and ceiling and even the checked tiles on the floor.

The station features archaeological-like displays on both sides of the walkway leading to the tracks. Resist the temptation to rush to the tracks to board the waiting train and spend some time to admire the artwork.

Train waiting at the Kungsträdgården Station. Since this is the start of the Blue line, the train would be waiting till it is time to go.

There are a few other stations that is worth visiting that I have not included in this post.

• The T-Centralen station (at platform for Blue line) 
• Solna Centrum (Blue line)
• Thorildsplan (Green line) – this is an above ground station featuring wall tiles showing Pac Man or video games related images.

Travel Tip:

Check out the free weekly guided art tours of Stockholm’s subway art.

Load the SL Travelcard on the SL Access smart card and enjoy unlimited travel on public transport within Stockholm for the duration of the card. Travelcards are generally the best buy for a visitor who plans to use public transport regularly during the stay.