Postcard with injured giraffe, a photo from Uppland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

Just for a change, here is a postcard from Stockholm, but it doesn't show any of the most famous sights of the city. And the giraffe is probably overlooked by most tourists.

Most of this photo shows a small part of the island of Djurgården (Animal Garden) as seen from one of the heights of Södermalm island. In the lower right part is a glimpse of a separate island called Beckholmen (Tar Islet).

Djurgården is mainly an island of gardens and museums, a big amusement park and posh villas. In this photo you see the only reasonably "ordinary" residential area, most of it built in the 1920's and -30's.

The brick tower to the left is called Bredablick, named after Breiðablik, the home of the pre-Christian Nordic god known as Balder (Baldr). It was built in 1876 on the grounds of what is now the large open-air museum called Skansen, opened in 1891.

The ugly grey tower is Kaknästornet, a transmission tower for radio and TV opened in 1967. It is actually situated on the mainland, a fair distance north of Djurgården.

The wooden clock tower to the right was originally built at the church of Hällestad in south-eastern Sweden in the 1730's. It was donated to Skansen in the late 19th century and rebuilt here in 1894.

Finally, the rather unhealthy looking giraffe at Beckholmen used to be employed as a crane. It is called Tor (Thor) and used to have a sister named Freja (Freya), both named after Nordic gods. Freja died several years ago of old age and bad health.

Tor and Freja were converted to giraffes in 1988, after an artist had seen the two cranes in another port area and got the idea to make them look nicer. I saw them the first time almost 30 years ago, when they were both in a good shape and really looked like giraffes.

Unfortunately Tor now seems to have lost most of the hide along his neck. It has been suggested he should be put down, but maybe his fan club (yes, there is one) will find enough money to have him healed.

jean113, pajaran, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, Fis2, ikeharel, pierrefonds, everlasting, jhm, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV, macjake, mcmtanyel, aliabazari ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (117171) 2021-05-26 1:15

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lep deo grada i tornjevi, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i perspketivom.
Lepa luika sa brodovima i arhitekturom na obali, lepa fotografija panorama.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje.
Paja

ChrisJ (172440) 2021-05-26 1:22

Hej Gert

You're right, the transmission tower at left is ugly. I wonder if the authorities could make it less ugly and more interesting by incorporating something like the Czechs have done in Prague with their tower, by having 10 climbing babies as in the world's former ugliest building, the Soviet built Žižkov Television Tower? Thinking caps on. Can't use trolls as they are seen as Norwegian. Maybe Vikings, Abba posters, anything actually, would be an improvement! Perfect sharpness and well composed and the giraffe is amusing with the crane where its head should be. Tfs!

Fis2 (172049) 2021-05-26 2:09

Witaj Gert!
A very nice vief from Stockholm.
I like port and towers.
Good framing, colors and light.
Very impressive oicture!
Good day.
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (86526) 2021-05-26 2:16

Hello Gert,

What interesting notes. (I do think some people miss so much by not reading the notes or viewing w/s.)
I did't really understand that Sweden was built up of so many islands but researched to learn that there are thousands!

This view, from your island, shows an interesting mixture of buildings (made more interesting with your notes).
No-one would have objected to the crane being demolished, but the minute you give it animal status, emotions begin to run high!
How would monies be raised to repair the giraffe? Would the fan-club be able to run a charity raffle or some such project? Supposedly, the Government would not be involved, without lots of local pressure!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (223069) 2021-05-26 2:43

Ciao Gert, original postcard fromStoccolma, fine details, good clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ikeharel (114715) 2021-05-26 2:53

Hello Gert,
The wooden clock-tower worth a visit, you have so many attraction in your hometown, which I fine intriguing photography. The Giraffe is an attractive object, hope it will be restored - also other objects shown here are notable: the boats, houses and the green forest beyond.
Excellent picture allocation, lit, clear and distinct.
Good afternoon,
Ike

emka (158936) 2021-05-26 4:46

Hi Gert,
I found this giraffe on Google map. Looks a bit different. Funny.
I remember my visit to Djurgarden. I had a busy day first going on foot from my hostel to Skansen, then visiting Vasa Museum and Abba, and later by metro to Millesgarden. For Nordiska Museet, I had no time. But in the evening, when it was dark, I went to Fotografiska. You can imagine how many photos I have.
The building with the green roof must be the Skansen Restaurant Tre Bytter. I like most here the tower. I liked it when I walked around Skansen. In my photos, it is redder (see WS).
Nice panorama, maybe I would cut off this ugly tower, but probably it was too far.
Regards

MAlgo

[workshop] [compare]

pierrefonds (115645) 2021-05-26 7:38

Hi Gert,

The composition is well divided, the sky, the city and the sea. The point of is showing the details of the buildings and of the giraffe being the base of the crane. The light is enhancing the colors. I like the WS you did on my photo. Have a nice day.

Pierre

everlasting (20040) 2021-05-26 8:46

An interesting note and a well composed postcard from Stockholm. I don't remember seeing Tor, but then probably didn't know where to look.

ktanska (45116) 2021-05-26 9:38

Hej Gert,
Very interesting view of Djurgården and that giraffe. I can imagine how it looked when there were more than legs in giraffe's disguise. The wooden tower is special. And it is also nice to see all those boats.
Kari

jmdias (116601) 2021-05-26 10:18

gert

I can recognize only the legs of the giraffe. a nice view of the city with many elements. the WS are amazing, I liked a lot the tower, looks very unusual in the lower part, almost surreal. TFS.

take care

jorge

jhm (211738) 2021-05-26 10:45

Hello Gert,

I understanded not the giraffe, but I open your picture in in a new tab.
Than I saw the crane, with giraffe legs.
Also pleasant panorama view about the port and city
Excellent composition and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (93556) 2021-05-26 11:48

Hej Gert,
Et smukt billede med Djursgården. Jeg genkender Kaknästornet, men har ikke rigtigt set Djurgården fra denne side før. De farverige huse ved vandet og foran de grønne træer og de forskellige tårne er meget attraktive. Den sårede giraf til højre er også en fin detalje.
Lars

lousat (140058) 2021-05-26 12:44

Hi Gert,the wooden clock tower of which you also offer us 2 excellent WS is undoubtedly the most elegant piece of the composition, the giraffe is falling apart and I think it will end up like its sister, an interesting post again this time, I agree with your choice to show lesser known things from your city. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

ifege (49573) 2021-05-26 22:17

Hi Gert
A good varied photo of part of Stockholm with plenty of interest. I must say that I don't remember seeing the giraffe on our visit although checking my photos I did take a photo from the water of that row of apartment buildings.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (117908) 2021-05-26 23:08

Hello dear Gert and have a nice day
I am living near the sea
so it is a great photo for me
this postcard from Stockholm...
thanks for your useful notes
photo with interesting notes
and these colorful buildings
decorating this place
I love this blue color of the
sea.

regards
costantino

jean113 (28325) 2021-05-27 13:14

Hello Gert, the idea of a crane disguised as a giraffe is such a brilliant one. And giving the two cranes names!
Viewed in the large version I can fully appreciate all the details, it is a very sharp shot.
Seeing different parts of a city not necessarily the most famous sights is always interesting in its own way.
Kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (25055) 2021-05-28 1:36

Dear Gert,

Its a nice postcard, which offers a lot to observe. The giraffe on the right is a nice addition.

Best Wishes,
Gy

PaulVDV (63546) 2021-05-28 8:38

Hello Gert,
I don't recall the giraffe ...
But I do remember the wooden tower and also the radio mast Kaknästornet.
I found the visit to Djurgården very interesting and relaxing.
From the top of Kaknästornet you have a great view of Stockholm. Truly incredible. Unfortunately, my photos from there were not that successful.
A beautiful photo that combines many different elements.
The only ordinary residential area is beautifully situated, just in front of the greenery of Djurgården and with the many boats in the foreground.
Best regards, Paul

adramad (73496) 2021-05-31 10:38

Hi Gert.
Magnificent postcard of the port, the boats moored next to the docks, the entire wooded slope beautiful, from where the two towers that we see next to the TV antenna emerge. The buildings look new and very colorful in a range of pastel colors.
Good perspective of the image, very pleasing to the eye.
Colorful, sharpness and luminosity are captured effectively.
Very good composition, magnificent presentation.
Have a good day.
Warm greetings.
Luis.

macjake (98544) 2021-06-03 21:51

Hi Gert
Oh man...that WS building...that deserves a main post, its just so unique, so strange, so weird...I want to know more about it.
and as for the Ugly tower in the far bg...i love that too. One of my fav buildings in Prague was the ugly TV tower haha. sometimes when a building is so ugly, it gets so much attention and it ends up being popular. interesting post card, i like it, lots to investigate here. cheers
Craig

kasianowak (17676) 2021-06-05 7:19

Really good TE post - something I would have never found out about Stockholm!
I'm surprised they are not being/haven't been fixed by the local authorities. Maybe they were meant to die at some point and that's part of the art?
Love the WS photos of the tower.
Have a nice afternoon!
Kasia

mcmtanyel (69348) 2021-06-06 20:51

Hello Gert,
A nice and amusing postcard. Lovely view!
Regards,
MT

aliabazari (23363) 2022-04-05 22:45

Hello Gert
Beautiful view of the beach and the architecture of the city. Except for the cement tower, the beautiful elements in this image caress the eye. Clarity and lighting done well. Beautiful shot