Riksbron

The name is derived from the bridge's proximity to several buildings of national importance, including Riksdagen, the Parliament Building; Rosenbad, the Prime Minister's Office and the Government Chancellery; and the Sager House, official residence of the Prime Minister.

Writing from his camp at Bender in 1712, King Charles XII (1682–1718) was the first to suggest a bridge extending Drottninggatan over to Helgeandsholmen.

In a drawing dated from 1713 the king's architect, Nicodemus Tessin the Younger (1654–1728), not only proposed a new bridge but also wanted to have the street extended much further south, across Helgeandsholmen and over to Mynttorget next to the Royal Palace on Stadsholmen.

However, Sweden was at war with Russia at the time and, lacking both funding and manpower, the project had to be irrevocably postponed.

This proposal resulted in the present construction designed by engineers Axel Björkman (1869–1957) and K A Wickert together with architect Ragnar Östberg (1866–1945).

Riksbron viewed from west with the Parliament Building to the right.
Kayakers, streams, and admirers at Riksbron in September 2006.
Riksbron in the early 1930s.