Inside the former Stock Exchange Building at Stortorget 2, the Nobel Prize Museum tells the story of Alfred Nobel and the laureates whose work has been recognized in science, literature, peace and other fields. Interactive displays, films and personal objects bring their ideas and lives into focus. The museum is a compact cultural stop in Gamla Stan, easy to pair with a walk around the square. Allow time to read the stories behind the objects, or use the audio guide to explore particular laureates in more depth.
The prize and its founder
The museum traces the history of the Nobel Prize and the ideas behind it, beginning with Alfred Nobel, the Swedish scientist and industrialist who established the awards. Nobel’s will set out the basis for prizes recognizing achievements in chemistry, literature, peace, physics and medicine. The museum connects that founding story with the people who have received the awards and the work that brought them recognition.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after Nobel’s death. The Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo; the other Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm. The museum’s displays place the awards in context and follow their history from the first recipients to later laureates.
Objects, films and laureate stories
Personal objects donated by laureates give the exhibitions a direct link to the people behind the prize. They sit alongside films, photographs and stories about work in science, literature and peace. Rather than presenting discoveries only as finished achievements, the displays follow the people and ideas associated with them.
Interactive exhibits make complex subjects easier to approach, and films provide further detail on selected laureates. The museum also presents portraits of prize winners on moving hangers, a distinctive way to bring their stories into view. Take time to read the accompanying accounts if you want more than a quick circuit; an audio guide can help you focus on particular people and fields.
A museum in Gamla Stan
The museum is in the former Stock Exchange Building on Stortorget, the central square in Stockholm’s Old Town. The building dates to the 18th century and also houses the Swedish Academy, which selects the Nobel laureates in literature, as well as the Nobel Library. Its location makes it straightforward to combine the museum with time in Gamla Stan.
The Nobel Prize Museum opened in 2001, marking the centenary of the first Nobel Prizes. Inside, the subject matter ranges from the prize’s origins to the achievements of its recipients. A museum shop and café are also on site. The building has an accessible entrance at the rear, and lockers are available for bags and heavier luggage.
FAQ
How long do you need at the Nobel Prize Museum?
Plan for about 30 to 60 minutes. Allow extra time if you want to read the laureate stories or use the audio guide.
Where is the Nobel Prize Museum?
It is at Stortorget 2 in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, inside the former Stock Exchange Building.
Does the Nobel Prize Museum have an audio guide?
Yes. The audio guide provides more detail about selected Nobel laureates.
Is the Nobel Prize Museum accessible?
The museum has an accessible entrance at the back of the building and an accessible restroom.
