Lilla Nygatan (Small New Street), Stockholm

Lilla Nygatan, or "Small New Street," is a historic street located in Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm. This street dates back to the early 17th century, having been established as part of a new city plan following the devastating great fire of 1625. It is believed to have been laid out around 1630, and the name Lilla Nygatan became common in 1720.

In 1993, archaeological excavations at the junction of Lilla Nygatan and Tyska Brinken revealed significant historical remnants, including parts of an old city wall and what was initially thought to be a 14th-century defensive tower known as Bocktornet ("Buck (He-goat) Tower"). However, further studies suggest these structures more likely belong to a defensive system constructed in the 1560s. The old wall once ran diagonally across what is now Lilla Nygatan, creating an intriguing historical layer beneath the modern street.

One of the notable buildings on Lilla Nygatan is located at Number 6, which houses the Postmuseum. This museum is renowned for its extensive collection of historic postal and philatelic artifacts. The building itself has a rich history, having served as Stockholm's only post office from 1720 until the museum's establishment in 1906. The façade, designed by Fredrik Blom between 1820 and 1825, is distinguished by four green Ekeberg marble columns with Doric capitals, supporting a balcony adorned with sphinxes. The windows of the piano nobile are topped with pediments and corbels, while the upper levels of the building's exterior design become progressively simpler. The interior was modernized in 1986, and the entire building underwent significant restoration in 1999.

Lilla Nygatan thus encapsulates both the historical evolution of Stockholm's old town and the architectural heritage of the city, offering a glimpse into its past through the structures and stories preserved along this storied street.