Assignment to preserve and make unique artefacts available below Riksplan
The Riksdag Administration is to draw up a plan to determine how the unique milieu below Riksplan can be cared for and made available to the public in connection with the conversion which is now at the planning stage. This is the essence of the assignment which the Riksdag Board presented to the Secretary-General of the Riksdag in February. September saw the start of a project to see how the history of the Middle Ages can best be depicted in an intriguing way on location in the new visitors’ centre.
The Riksdag Administration is planning a new visitors’ and meeting centre and an extra Chamber below Riksplan. The reason for this is that the Riksdag needs more meeting premises, including an additional place where the whole of the Riksdag can meet. The Riksdag would also like to have improved opportunities to receive visiting groups and arrange meetings to which the public are invited. In view of this, the Medieval Museum, which was located below Riksplan, has closed and is preparing to move to other premises.
Valuable historical milieu
Since Riksplan is a unique place with a valuable historical milieu, it is important that the public should continue to be able to visit the place and experience Stockholm’s and Sweden’s medieval history. There are a number of historical remains to be found here, including parts of the town wall from the days of Gustav Vasa and a cemetery wall originating in the Middle Ages. It should be possible to visit these historical remains regardless of whether you also wish to visit the Riksdag or not.
In February 2024, the Riksdag Board assigned the Secretary-General of the Riksdag the task of making an in-depth analysis of how the historical artefacts below Riksplan should best be taken care of and made accessible to the public, while at the same time ensuring that the Riksdag’s need for an extra Chamber is met.
Similar design to the exhibitions in the Medieval Museum
The assignment from the Riksdag Board includes the creation of a new medieval exhibition, which will not only make use of modern exhibition technology, but also contain a suggestive and intriguing medieval milieu with a design similar to that previously in the Medieval Museum. There should also be pedagogically trained staff with adequate historical knowledge present who are able to take care of visitors who are interested in the Middle Ages. Riksplan should also be used to strengthen and deepen the story of the Riksdag and the history of Sweden’s system of government. A number of different alternative solutions for achieving this will be analysed.
An inquiry has been commissioned to do this. The Medieval Museum and, if necessary, other experts will be consulted while the work is in progress. This may involve, for example, expertise in the area of history, pedagogics, museum technology and architecture. The inquiry chair will also inform him or herself of the suggestions put forward by the public. A parliamentary reference group consisting of experts from all the parties represented in the Riksdag has been involved in the inquiry. Work will commence in September 2024, and will continue during the coming year.