After five years of moving, renovation and reconstruction, Stockholm’s Nationalmuseum reopens its doors to visitors this weekend on 13 October.

The long-awaited climate control system enables the museum to present its collections in an integrated way, crossing the boundaries between artistic disciplines. They will be able to exhibit paintings and other works that are more climate-sensitive, such as drawings and graphic art, alongside applied art and design. In addition, technical innovations have made it possible to reinstate bricked-up windows to let in natural light. The public spaces have been expanded considerably, adding about 2,300 square meters.

Built in 1866, the Nationalmuseum building is over 150 years old. For decades, the building has been constantly repurposed and adapted to the museum’s changing and growing requirements. One layer of modifications has been piled on top of another. However, the building had never been thoroughly renovated and did not meet today’s accepted international standards in terms of safety, climate control, fire safety, working environment and logistics. The renovations has brought the building up to modern operational and regulatory standards.