Stockholm’s Subway: The World’s Longest Art Gallery

DestinationsTravel

Mar 14

Last year I found myself wandering through what might be one of the most unexpected art experiences in the world, the Stockholm subway system. Dubbed “the world’s longest art gallery,” this underground labyrinth is home to more than ninety stations adorned with murals, sculptures, mosaics, and installations. The moment I stepped onto the escalators leading into these tunnels, it felt like I was entering a subterranean museum rather than just another metro system.

Stockholm’s subway, known as Tunnelbanan, was inaugurated in 1950 with the opening of the first line between Slussen and Hökarängen. As the city expanded, so did the metro system, and by the 1970s, the idea of integrating art into the stations took hold. The initiative was driven by the belief that public spaces should be both functional and beautiful, and that art should be accessible to everyone, not just those who visit galleries and museums. I love this concept and walking through the vision was something else.

Today, over one hundred and fifty artists have contributed to the metro’s transformation, making it one of the most unique underground transit systems in the world.

One of the most striking stations I visited was Solna Centrum, which opened in 1975. Its fiery red rock ceilings contrast with deep green murals of pine trees, creating a scene that feels like a surreal Nordic fairytale. The station’s artwork, designed by Karl-Olov Björk and Anders Åberg (I sadly cannot pronounce these well), also incorporates social commentary, depicting the effects of industrialization on Sweden’s environment and rural communities.

Then there is T-Centralen, the heart of the subway system, which was completed in 1957. This station was the first to incorporate artwork when, in the early 1970s, artist Per Olof Ultvedt was commissioned to create a calming atmosphere for the busiest metro hub in Stockholm. His choice of blue tones and silhouettes of workers was a tribute to the laborers who built the metro in the 1950s. The station’s organic shapes and soft patterns give it an almost meditative quality, offering commuters a moment of peace amid the rush of city life.

My favorite, though, was Kungsträdgården, a station that feels like an underground archaeological site. Opened in 1977, its design was inspired by the historic palace gardens that once stood above it. The artist, Ulrik Samuelson, filled the station with relics, statues, and fragments from buildings that once existed in Stockholm but were demolished over time. The green lighting and checkerboard floors add to the illusion of a forgotten world buried beneath the city. Just so cool.

If you ever find yourself in Stockholm (preferably on a luxury tour of Sweden with yours truly), do not just take the subway to get from one place to another. Take the time to explore it with one of my expert guides. Hop on a train, get off at random stations, and let the art guide your journey. It is an experience that transforms a simple commute into an adventure, proving that even the most utilitarian spaces can become extraordinary.