The Hangman's Street, a photo from Sodermanland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

This is a glimpse of the eastern end of one of the many picturesque streets on Södermalm island in Stockholm. I liked the light on the old buildings and the view towards the trees, so I hurried to take a photo when I saw the woman pushing a pram approaching me.

It will look much better in a new tab.

But why do I call the photo 'The Hangman's Street'?

This is Mäster Mikaels gata (Master Mikael's Street), named after Mikael Reissuer, who was named Stockholm's official executioner in 1635 and who lived here. It was common in those days to refer to the hangman as the 'master'.

Mäster Mikael's professional career lasted until 1650, when he was convicted of murder and himself executed. This street was given its present name in 1939.

This photo was taken in mid-March when winter hadn't yet loosened its grip on the city. You can see several icy patches on the ground.

The green building is from the 1720's, its yellow neighbour was built in the early 19th century after an older wooden house had been destroyed by fire.

A view in the opposite direction, taken one month later, is in the WS. If you want to know what the persons in the background probably came to see, there is a view in the other WS.

The Map: view will show you this place.

pajaran, jean113, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, Fis2, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ChrisJ, PaulVDV, adramad, macjake, aliabazari, worldcitizen, fotka, PiotrF ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (117063) 2022-04-23 0:34

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
lepa ulica, fasade kuca i dervece, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i uhvacenim trenutkom.
Dobar rad, sa lepim fotografijama u raionici.
Lep deo grada i arhitektura.

Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja

jean113 (28281) 2022-04-23 3:44

Hello Gert, three lovely shots today with an interesting and informative note.
I am not surprised that you wanted to capture this moment as the sunlight has really enhanced the buildings with their lovely colours.
Your alternative shot showing the other end of the street would have been an equally good main post.
The view showing the city helps us to appreciate just how high you are above the city.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Jean.

Royaldevon (86478) 2022-04-23 3:47

Hello Gert,

This is a very attractive photograph (seen even better in a New Tab). I love the bright colours on the facades of the houses, illuminated by the low sun. I recently watched a programme on design and these two colours are highly recommended at the moment!
You have included some fine, diagonal, guide lines which lead us both to the lady with the pram and the conversing men by the tree.
It's a beautifully balanced photograph as well as showing interesting, wintry details.

Your w/s convince me what an attractive city Stockholm is!

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

pierrefonds (115546) 2022-04-23 4:59

Hi Gert,

The diagonal line of the street is giving dynamism to the composition. The point of view is showing the details of the old houses and of a daily life scene. The quality of the light beautifies the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Silvio1953 (222925) 2022-04-23 5:36

Ciao Gert, great perspective on beautiful houses, fine details, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light , very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Tue (93436) 2022-04-23 8:11

Hej Gert,
Det varme sollys har stadig et vinterlig karakter her, men sørger for at husenes varme farver står meget godt frem fra de mere blålige toner i skyggerne. Et fint komponeret billede med kvinden med barnevognen som god bonus.
Lars

lousat (139990) 2022-04-23 9:36

Hi Gert,the place is really magnificent, too bad it is remembered for being the hangman's residence, but now it is a great show. These houses are my dream but who knows how much they cost..ehhe..it seems to visit an open air museum, and even the church in the WS has been rebuilt preserving the original style ... and then the view over Stockholm, from this point a priceless sight !! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

jmdias (116477) 2022-04-23 10:54

gert

nice these three samples of your town. the main post has a nice visual effect with the light and these colors.I liked the presence of the woman here too.
few days ago I was reading about the man who executed a militairy who wanted brazilian independence in 1789, the man who did the job was a slave who would be executed after a crime and had this crime erased to hang the militairy. his death for the death of the other.

take care
jorge

Fis2 (171937) 2022-04-23 11:38

Witaj Gert!
Wonderful alley, beautiful house and lantern.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
I like composition, a lady with a pram adds flavor.
Interesting pavement.
I love it.
Nice presentation.
Have a nice weekend.
Krzysztof

emka (158826) 2022-04-23 14:06

Hi Gert, beautiful colours of these two wooden buildings. Nice also the old lamps.beautiful view from this elevated place. I remember well the view of the church, but maybe not from this side. delightful composition. Have a nice Sunday

MAlgo (widow)

mcmtanyel (69227) 2022-04-23 20:52

Hello Gert,
And reading the title, I thought people like playing hangman on this street. Truth is more bitter than imagination. I like the colors of the houses and the play between light and shade.
Regards,
MT

COSTANTINO (117792) 2022-04-23 22:44

Hello dear Gert and have a nice day
and a happy evening
delicate photo under evening light
creating a particular atmosphere
this is a glimpse of the eastern end
of one of the many picturesque streets...
a photo interesting and eye-catching
regards
costantino

jemaflor (148248) 2022-04-23 23:23

Hi Gert,
Nice traditional architecture for these houses, perfect light like a spot just on these colorful wooden facades, intersting presentation,tfs.

ChrisJ (172436) 2022-04-23 23:28

Hej Gert

I like the reflected yellow and green colours of the façade in the icy street below. Superb timing to catch the woman and pram passing. There appears to be a lookout over the harbour at top left. Tfs!

ktanska (45056) 2022-04-24 0:32

Hej Gert,
Lovely place with old houses and obviously a good view down the hill further back. Orange and green paint look really good on the houses. I also like the workshop showing how different styles of buildings make a very nice mix in this neighbourhood.
Kari

PaulVDV (63460) 2022-04-24 8:39

Hello Gert,
Your main photo is clearly a winter sight. To me it seems that is was very cold then.
But it is a very beautiful photo with a splendid light, nice and contrasting colours and a small reflection of the yellow facade on the ice in the street.
The persons were well placed in the photo.
WS1 has a very good composition and is a photo that many visitors to Stockholm want to take.
WS2 is a sight that every visitor would like to see.
Best regards, Paul

vjmite (6698) 2022-04-25 1:48

Hi Gert,

It's not often that the hangman hangs! The view is quite pleasant, and the light really gives the photo a great atmosphere. The colours are great, and the leafless trees help to give a feeling of winter.

Vince

adramad (73450) 2022-04-26 9:28

Hi Gert.
A magnificent composition of this quiet street, with the two beautiful single-family houses, the trees give a good graphic design, the street is seen going down a steep slope and we see in the WS that from there we can see a great panoramic view, the other photo of the WS shows us It gives another nice view with the church, without a doubt a street with possibilities for photography.
Great color that brings out the details of the image, the sharpness is excellent and the lighting is splendid.
Very good work. I like very much.
You have a good day. Very best regards.
Luis.

macjake (98544) 2022-04-26 14:18

Hi Gert
good to see your photos again...and hey...congrats on surpassing 100,000 TE points, I want to get there as well.
just a fun milestone :) really good WS photos, I always like those postcard views from your local area. Funny that the executioner was eventually executed...but I guess alot of people were back then. charming little street with an interesting history. good one. cheers
Craig

aliabazari (23259) 2022-04-27 2:39

Hello Gert
Beautiful view of this street with colorful houses. Clarity and exposure done well. Combines well with tree branches

kasianowak (17676) 2022-04-29 23:14

It's a very beautiful photo. The charming houses in the spotlight, the contrast between the sunbathed facades and the bluish remains of winter, the colourful reflections and the lady with a pram is a perfect additions.
I like how the WS photos show what one would see looking in other directions.

worldcitizen (16226) 2022-04-30 16:53

Hello Gert,
This is an excellent trio of photos, and the info in the note is very interesting, too. First, I must say that these old houses are beautiful, and the executioner had a fabulous view! So, while he was executioner the murders he committed were allowed, but then he killed someone he wasn't supposed to and was sentenced to death himself?! Who executed him if he was the executioner at the time? Questions popped into my mind as I read your note! Anyway, this spot looks very peaceful and welcoming now. :-) Take care!

fotka (9139) 2022-05-16 4:54

Hello Gert,
Interesting old buildings in Stockholm captured at the right moment when the sun shines on them. At first I thought it was a scanned photo like many of your previous ones because the sharpness is not the best. But when I saw that this photo is from a few months ago, I was surprised by its quality. A woman walking by with a pram adds life to this photo.
Best regards,
Zbigniew

PiotrF (56012) 2022-08-01 16:14

Hello gert,
An interesting view of picturesque street on Södermalm island . Thank you for informative note.Nice old buildings and good light. The colors and quality are also very good.
Regards
Piotr