20 photos from Sweden that show how interesting and special this country is (24 photos)

Sweden is not only ABBA, IKEA, harsh nature and Vikings from history books. This country is full of unexpected contrasts, where ancient traditions coexist with the latest technology, and everyday life surprises with its simplicity and ingenuity.





More than 4 meters of snow fell at the Riksgransen ski resort in northern Sweden



The "Boy in the Rock", one of the oldest and most mysterious rune stones in Sweden





This runestone is one of a kind, as researchers still cannot figure out what it is for, despite studying it for 400 years. Is it some kind of warning? Is it a joke? A tombstone?

The purest water in a Swedish reservoir



The fact that there is water here at all can be seen by the stripe on the wrist.

A bus stop in Sweden. Personal space matters



A bridge between Sweden and Denmark



But that's not all! A little further on the bridge dives into a tunnel



"I live in the north of Sweden, the temperature has been close to -40 degrees for almost a week now"



White reindeer, Malo, Sweden



Reception of the famous ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden



This is the kind of truck you can find in Sweden



King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf installed solar panels on the roof Royal Palace in Stockholm



By the way, the 78-year-old monarch has occupied the throne since 1973.

Road sign in Stockholm warns drivers about passersby glued to their phones



“I work as a wind turbine technician in Sweden. This is the view"



Cozy and functional Swedish benches



Ostall is an island in the south of Sweden



A little over 200 people live in these houses.

The Magnificent Swedish Metro



This National Park in Sweden Refused to Cut Down Trees for a Bridge and Just Left Them As They Are



The Smallest House in Stockholm



A funny sign in a public shower in Sweden



And here's a classic: a typical solitary confinement cell in a Swedish prison



Bonus: Twin brothers who are already over 70, still meet once a week. One lives in Norway, the other in Sweden



Historical bonus: Photo of hostages taken during the robbery at Norrmalmstorg Square



This is the same robbery that took place in 1973 that gave birth to the term "Stockholm syndrome".

Historical Bonus, Part Two: The Day That Changed the Country



September 3, 1967, at exactly 17:00, Sweden switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic.