Munkbron


Munkbron is a public square on the western waterfront of Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Connected to the square are Stora Gråmunkegränd, Gåsgränd, Lilla Nygatan, Yxsmedsgränd, and Munkbrogatan; while the traffic route Munkbroleden separates it from the canal Riddarholmskanalen. The square is divided into a northern and a southern part by the block Aurora in which the so-called Petersen House is found.

History

In the 15th century, the name 'Munkbron' referred to the bridge passing over to Riddarholmen were the Greyfriars abbey was located. As the latter islet, until the 1630s called Gråmunkeholmen, received its present name, 'Munkbron' was being used for the quay passing along the western waterfront of the city. The present square, together with the quay passing along the shore and various present or historical spaces nearby, were known under several different names, including Muncke brons Hampnen, Våghusplatsen, Munkbrotorget and Munkbrohamnsplatsen.
In 1921, when the squares Munkbron and Mälartorget were called Övre/Nedre Munkbrotorget, it was suggested that the two should be renamed Munkbrotorget and Flugmötet respectively. This proposal was however rejected in favour of the present name which was colloquially used.