Järntorget (The Iron Square), Stockholm

Järntorget, meaning "The Iron Square," is a historic public square located in the old town of Stockholm. This small but significant square serves as a crossroads where the main thoroughfares, Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan, converge, with several alleys stretching out to connect it to other key areas such as Skeppsbron, Slussplan, and Kornhamnstorg.

Järntorget, dating back to around 1300, is Stockholm's second oldest square, just younger than Stortorget. Originally named Korntorget ("Grain Square"), it was renamed in 1489 as the iron trade overtook grain in importance. For centuries, the square was a hub of commerce, with merchants trading goods and official scales used to manage and tax iron, generating significant revenue for the city and monarchy.

Järntorget has undergone many changes throughout its history. In the Middle Ages, it was much larger, covering areas now occupied by additional buildings. By the 16th century, sheds were built along its eastern side, and in the 17th century, it became a hub for taverns like The Blue Eagle, The Lion, and The Griffin. Significant transformation occurred in the early 17th century when the city's scales moved to Södermalm, prompting the construction of taller, more prestigious buildings. In 1680, Södra Bankohuset, the world's oldest national bank building, was built on the square, designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder in the Italian Renaissance style.

The buildings around Järntorget hold rich histories. For example, Number 78, part of a former medieval alley, has elements dating back to the 17th century. Number 80 features an Art Nouveau façade shaped by renovations in the 20th century, while Number 84, home to Södra Bankohuset, stands as a testament to the square's financial legacy. Additionally, the square is adorned with a cast iron well, donated by the National Bank in 1829, modeled after a British prototype, and a statue of Swedish poet Evert Taube, created by Karl-Göte Bejemark in 1985.