Origin

Scholars predict that Birger Jarl founded Stockholm in 1252. It is believed that Birger founded the city in order to protect Sweden from an invasion from the sea by foreign navies. Although the full origin of the name is highly disputed, the first part of the name (stock) means log, while the second (holm) means islet or small island.

The first building in Stockholm was created to control the traffic between the Baltic Sea and Malaren, and became a powerful trade city while under the leadership of Magnus Ladulas. In 1289, it was described as the most populated city in the Swedish region. By the middle of the 15th century, it was home to about 6,000 residents.