SkogskyrkogårdenAbout Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is a 20th-century cemetery in the southern part of Stockholm County, Sweden, celebrated for its integration of modernist architecture and landscape design. The property is recognized for its careful planning and the collaboration between architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz.
Principal features include simple, sculptural chapels and ceremonial buildings set within planted avenues, forest glades and open lawns. The composition emphasizes procession, sightlines and the relationship between built forms and the surrounding woodland.
The cemetery plan originated from a 1917 design competition and its main works were completed through the interwar period and later, reflecting evolving approaches to architecture and landscape. The site continues to function as an active cemetery and a designed public landscape.
Skogskyrkogården lies in the Enskede area south of central Stockholm, set within a managed woodland landscape and accessible from the city by public transport.
- Design origins: Design work began after a 1917 competition and the cemetery is prized for its integration of modernist architecture by Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz with a planted woodland setting.
- Access: The site is about a short drive south of central Stockholm and is accessible by public transport, making it a common destination for both visitors and local remembrance ceremonies.
What to See#
- Woodland Chapel (Asplund): A forest cemetery chapel designed by Gunnar Asplund, featuring simple, modernist forms set within the woodland landscape and often cited as a key architectural composition on the site.
- Crematorium and ceremonial complex: The crematorium and associated ceremonial spaces designed as part of the integrated cemetery plan, embodying the site’s restrained architectural language.
- Landscape avenues and glades: Landscaped roads, open glades and lined avenues forming the main circulation and visual axes through the cemetery, integrating architecture and nature.
Nearby Attractions to Skogskyrkogården
Best Time to Visit Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is best visited in late spring through summer for mild weather and full greenery, with autumn offering striking foliage and a quieter mood.
Weather & Climate near Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (582 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 0° | -8° | 42 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | -6° - 0° | -8° | 29 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 3° | -4° | 35 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 8° | 1° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Very Good | 5° - 15° | 8° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.2h |
| July | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.5h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Good | 8° - 15° | 12° | 57 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 52 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 61 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 50 mm | overcast | 97% | 4.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
How to Get to Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is in southern Stockholm and is served directly by the Stockholm metro (Tunnelbana): take the green line to Skogskyrkogården station; from the station the cemetery entrance and principal designed areas are a short walk (around 5 minutes). By car it is roughly 6-8 km south of central Stockholm via road 229/Huddingevägen and local streets; parking is available near the cemetery entrances.
Tips for Visiting Skogskyrkogården
- Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light and quiet - midday and weekend afternoons (especially in summer) attract more visitors and funerals, which raises activity on the main routes.
- Use the Skogskyrkogården metro station (Green Line) for direct pedestrian access to the cemetery rather than trying to drive into the grounds; the station drops you close to the main axis and visitor points.
- Walk beyond the principal axis and chapel: many visitors concentrate on the Woodland Chapel and the main monuments, but the cemetery's sculptural details and carefully composed graves are tucked into the surrounding forest and reveal the site's design when you explore quieter paths.