Demonstration against the relocation of the Medieval Museum: "Historyless"

Earlier this year, it became clear that the Riksdag administration had terminated the museum's lease. The Medieval Museum will instead move to the Stock Exchange building in the Old Town, where the Nobel Museum is now located. The Nobel Museum, in turn, will move to the as yet unbuilt Nobel Center at Stadsgårdskajen.

Historian Dick Harrison has started his own petition and on Wednesday members from the organization Save the Medieval Museum and the urban environment association Blasieholmens Vänner gathered to protest against the move.

"There has been secrecy surrounding the closure. The Riksdag has just simply, in the darkness of historylessness, decided that this should go," says Richard Murray, chairman of Save the Medieval Museum.

Also present to support the demonstration were Gabriel Kroon (SD) and Olle Wästberg (L).

"Can't move"

The protesters claim that the move means a closure and that the museum is tied to its location as the Roman Forum in Rome.

"There are three extremely important ancient monuments here: Gustav Vasa's wall from 1530, Helgeandskyrkogården with bone remains left behind and an escape route where Karl XI could slip out. This has to be here, none of it can fit in the Stock Exchange building," says Richard Murray.

Will become a visitor centre

The Riksdag administration is planning to build a new visitor and meeting centre in the current premises of the Medieval Museum.

"I cherish the Medieval Museum and feel for everyone who is sad. At the same time, I am pleased that the City of Stockholm has made this unique museum investment, says Åsa Albihn, Head of Unit at the Riksdag Administration.

The demonstrators believe that the museum is tied to its place where the ancient remains are, is it possible to move the museum?

"I think so, and so does the City of Stockholm, which runs the museum. Gustav Vasa's city wall will remain. We want to show how the Riksdag works and then we will also show the wall and the historical connection to it, says Åsa Albihn.

Should something be demolished?

– Not as I see it at present.