Slussen (') is an area in

Stockholm Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...

, Sweden, located at the northern edge of

Södermalm Södermalm, often shortened to just Söder, is the southern district of Stockholm City Centre. Overview The Södermalm district covers the island of the same name (formerly called ''Åsön''), which, however, is not fully separated from th ...

, adjacent to

Gamla stan Gamla Stan (, "The Old Town"), until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna ("The Town between the Bridges"), is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla Stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. Gamla Stan includes the surrounding islets ...

. It is known for its locks system between Lake Mälaren and the

Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by the countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North European Plain, North and Central European Plain regions. It is the ...

, as well as its historic role as a major transport interchange. The Slussen area includes the Slussen metro station and Saltsjöbanan terminus, and a bus terminal. The boundary between

Uppland Uppland is a historical province or ' on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The name literally ...

and

Södermanland Södermanland ( ), locally Sörmland, sometimes referred to under its Latinisation of names, Latinized form Sudermannia or Sudermania, is a Provinces of Sweden, historical province (or ) on the south eastern coast of Sweden. It borders Österg� ...

runs through the area.

History

: Slussen has been a vital crossing point in Stockholm for centuries, linking southern roads with the waterways connecting Lake Mälaren to the Baltic Sea. Over time, the area has undergone significant transformations. Early History The first lock at Slussen, known as Queen Christina's Lock, was inaugurated in 1642. It was replaced in 1755 by Christopher Polhem's Lock. Nils Ericson's Lock, built in 1850, followed, allowing ships to traverse the area more efficiently. The final major lock, Karl Johan's Lock, was inaugurated in 1935 as part of the modernisation of the area. 1935 Traffic Interchange The 1935 traffic interchange was a pioneering example of functionalist urban planning. Designed by architects Gösta Lundborg and Sven Markelius, the structure was hailed as a modern solution to traffic and pedestrian congestion. However, the innovative "cloverleaf" design proved problematic as traffic volumes increased, leading to congestion and safety concerns. The interchange became a symbol of Stockholm's modernity in the mid-20th century, but structural issues began emerging as early as the 1940s due to salt corrosion and other damage.

Redevelopment 2016–2027

: In the early 2000s, the deteriorating state of the 1935 interchange prompted the decision to rebuild the area entirely. A design competition in 2007 led to plans by Foster + Partners and Berg Arkitektkontor being approved in 2011. Construction began in 2016, with completion scheduled for 2027. The project is to rebuild water regulation infrastructure, while modernising Slussen as a mixed-use public space with improvised public transport.

Cultural and Political Impact

The redevelopment project has faced criticism and public debate. Some have opposed the loss of the historic 1935 structure, while others support the need for modernisation. The new design includes parks, plazas, and waterfront promenades, aiming to revitalise the area.

Golden Bridge and Traffic Layout

A central feature of the new design is the ''Golden Bridge'' (''Guldbron''), officially known as Slussbron, which connects

. The bridge accommodates vehicle traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. It was manufactured in

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

and shipped to Stockholm in 2020, where it opened to traffic on 26 October 2020.

Public Transport

Slussen metro station lies in the southwest, under Ryssgården. The Slussen bus terminal temporarily moved eastward to Stadsgården during redevelopment. By August 2024, buses were relocated to a temporary terminal at Stadsgårdsterminalen. A permanent terminal is under construction inside the bedrock at Katarinaberget. The Saltsjöbanan railway terminus is closed during the works, with Henriksdal station serving as the interim terminus. The Djurgården ferry has moved its departure point further north but retains the name ''Slussen''.

Waterways

The new water facilities include two discharge channels and the newly named '' Victoria Slussen''. These are surrounded by four low bridges and form the heart of Vattentorget, which opened in phases in 2022 and 2024. The original Nils Ericson lock has been repurposed into a fish migration channel as of 2024.

Gallery

File:Slussen_1642.jpg, Queen Christina's Lock, 1642 File:Polhems_sluss_Anders_Holm_1780.jpg, Christopher Polhems Lock, 1755, after heavy spring runoff. Painting from 1780. File:Slussen,_Stockholm,_1890.jpg, Nils Ericsons Lock sometime after 1850 File:Slussen_1728a.jpg, Plan by municipal architect Johan Eberhard Carlberg, 1728 File:Förslag_till_Slussen_av_I_G_Claeson,_1905.jpg, I G Claesons' proposal, 1905 File:Slussen_1922.jpg, Slussen 1922 File:SSMF081048S.jpg, "Slussen Misery" c. 1930 File:Slussen_ritning.jpg, 1931 master plan for Slussen File:Slussen_1932.jpg, Construction 1932 File:Slussen_1933.jpg, Traffic 1933 File:SSMF006642S.jpg, Construction 1933 File:Slussen1935.jpg, Opening of new interchange 15 October 1935 File:Slussen_15_10_1935.jpg, Opening of new interchange 15 October 1935 File:Slussen_1958.jpg, Locks in operation 1958

References

{{Commonscat, Slussen, Stockholm Locks (water navigation) Transport in Stockholm Stockholm metro