The Brunkeberg Ridge (Brunkebergsåsen) has been a major barrier between the Norrmalm and Östermalm neighborhoods since the beginning of Stockholm’s history.
Brunkeberg Ridge |
The southern end of the ridge was slowly hacked away over time because it was a good source of building material, and as the ridge disappeared, it became possible to follow a mostly level path from Norrmalm to Östermalm along the water’s edge. The ridge never disappeared entirely, however, and it continues to be a barrier between the neighborhoods to this day. As the city expanded northward, this barrier became more and more troublesome—to get from one side to the other, one either had to make a long detour to the water’s edge or one had to climb up and over the ridge, not an easy task when heavily burdened.
A not terribly accurate map from 1637 with Brunkeberg Ridge marked in red *** |
I’ve found very little documentation about planning discussions about the tunnel. Because it would have made transportation of goods and people between the two adjacent neighborhoods so much more convenient, the idea for the tunnel must have been born early in Stockholm’s history, but a lack of technology and funding would have made the tunnel a pipe dream until the mid 1800’s.
The first evidence I’ve found of the tunnel is in Wallström and Rudberg's General Plan for Stockholm from 1863. This was Stockholm’s first attempt at a comprehensive city plan and while W&R’s plan generally ignores issues of terrain, it was very focused on traffic issues. A tunnel through the Brunkeberg Ridge would definitely have facilitated transportation between the two districts.
Wallström and Rudberg's General Plan for Stockholm 1863 included a tunnel * |
Lindhagen's Plan from 1866 did not include a tunnel * |
A city council proposal from 1877 where the tunnel reappears * |
Axel Ekbloms drawing of the tunnel construction from 1886 ** |
Oddly, the already built-and-in-operation tunnel was not included on the 1887 map of Norrmalm when the newly ratified city plan was drawn in.
The 1887 map of Norrmalm with the newly ratified city plan drawn in is missing the tunnel * |
Unfortunately for Lindmark and his stock company, the unexpected construction expenses meant that the toll through the tunnel had to be raised higher than was comfortable for most people. People had been crossing the ridge for centuries, so they could just as well continue to climb the ridge to avoid paying the hefty toll. The tunnel company quickly went bankrupt and the city bought the tunnel, keeping it open and toll-free. The city has renovated the tunnel every few decades since then.
the tunnel today |
The Brunkeberg Tunnel was dimensioned for horse traffic and because it was not ventilated, it was inappropriate for car traffic. The tunnel was quickly outdated for any other use than pedestrian and bike traffic, and when the Kungsgatan boulevard was built through the Brunkeberg Ridge just two blocks south of the tunnel in 1911, it rendered the narrow tunnel obsolete.
One of the tunnel entries--definitely not dimensioned for cars! |
However, the tunnel is still a useful pedestrian and bicycle connection today. There is a steady stream of both pedestrians and cyclists in the tunnel these days, and there is often a busker or two playing music in the tunnel. In most cities, a tunnel like this would quickly become a sketchy place to walk, but in Stockholm, it feels perfectly safe (I’ve never been in the tunnel alone late at night, it might not feel so benign then). In recent years, the tunnel has even been the site of various art, sound, and light installations. I love that the city keeps the tunnel open and that it is a half-secret yet very secure-feeling part of the pedestrian and bicycle network.
* Gösta Selling, Esplanadsystemet och Albert Lindhagen: Stadsplanering i Stockholm åren 1857-1887 (1970)
Page 282 of The Engineer magazine's April 9, 1886 edition has more details about how the tunnel was built. Worth a read (can be found at Grace's Guides)
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