TheGreyfriars Monastery (Swedish:Gråmunkeklostret) on the island ofRiddarholmen inStockholm was a monastery for males of theFranciscan Order, in operation from 1270 until theSwedish Reformation of 1527.
The monastery was founded upon donation by KingMagnus III of Sweden in 1270, and in 1288, he also donated theSkeppsholmen area to the abbey. It was because of the abbey that Riddarholmen has been calledGråbrödraholm (Grey Brother's Islet),Munckholmen (Monk's Islet), andGråmunkeholm orGråmunkeholmen (Grey Friar's Islet). During the 15th-century, the island ofKungsholmen was also calledMunklägret (Monk's Camp) because of the activities of the abbey in the area. At the end of the 15th century, it was headed byKanutus Johannis, who contributed several volumes to its library.[1] After the Siege ofTre Kronor (castle) on 9 May 1502, the defeated Queen,Christina of Saxony, was kept prisoner here bySten Sture the Elder.[2]
In 1527, the abbey was dissolved because of the reformation. The monks were forced to leave the buildings, which were used as a hospital and as a residence for the former nuns ofSt. Clare's Priory, Stockholm. The hospital was moved toDanviken Hospital in 1551, and the building housed the theological schoolCollegium Regium Stockholmense in 1576-1593, and the Nicolai Trivial School until 1666.
Riddarholmen Church is what remains of the abbey in our time.
Part of the area south of Riddarholm Church was excavated in 2010. The skeleton of a medieval monk was found buried complete, save for its left leg which was lost during renovations in 1945.[3]
59°19′29″N18°3′53″E / 59.32472°N 18.06472°E /59.32472; 18.06472
