The Dominican Monastery of the Black Friars in Stockholm

The Black Friars' Monastery, Svartbrödraklostret, also called the convent of Stockholm, was a Dominican monastery on the island of Stadsholmen in central Stockholm. Founded by King Magnus IV in 1336, the monastery was built on a plot of land donated by the king. The monastery played a political role in the city, where Charles Knutsson was appointed Rikshövitsman during the Engelbrekt rebellion of 1436, and Sten Sture the Elder took office as Riksföreståndare in 1501.

By order of Gustav Vasa, the monastery was demolished in 1547, but some of the vaults are still preserved and can be visited today. Svartmangatan, the street which led down to the monastery, still remains reminiscent of the Black Friars' era. While the order arrived in Sweden in 1220 to build convents in Sigtuna and Strängnäs, they initially sought a plot of land in Stockholm for a homeless shelter or abbey. This was initially denied by the king's vogt at Three Crowns Castle, though the friars purchased a house at the southern bridge in 1289 where they stayed during trips to the city.

It was not until 1337 that King Magnus IV donated crown lands inside the old thirteenth-century city walls for the monastery. Pope Clement VI issued a permit for the construction in 1343 after a delay caused by discord between him and the friars in Strängnäs. The monastery was rebuilt after a severe fire in 1407, which destroyed much of the original structure. During the late Middle Ages, it is assumed the monastery basement was leased to a wine merchant to serve as a local restaurant with a direct entrance from the street.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons