Description
Skeppar Olofs Gränd is an alley in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching from Köpmangatan to Trädgårdsgatan, it forms a parallel street to Peder Fredags Gränd and Trädgårdstvärgränd.HistoryAppearing in historical records as skepper Olaffz grändh in 1587, the alley is named after the skipper Olof Eriksson, commonly known as Skeppar Olof, who from 1625 served under King Gustav Vasa, as skipper on board the ship Ugglan ("The Owl") in 1626. He is historically known as one of the leading figures in the organisation of the first fleet of the Swedish Navy, both as a master shipbuilder and as a naval commander. As one of the most trusted merchants of the king, Olof made a fortune, and as one of the most prominent burghers in the city, he was appointed magistrate, member of a court of first instance, head of the goldsmith guild, and churchwarden at the Cathedral. Skeppar Olof died in 1555 and is buried in the cathedral (which he saved from the king's plans to demolish it). One of the many buildings he owned was located between the alley and Österlånggatan, in 1628 referred to as Schepar Olofz huus i Olof Grelsons g ("House of Skipper Olof in the alley of Olof Grelson"), and in 1597 subject to his widow's distribution of the estate. The skipper in question might have lived in the medieval building on the right side directly after the vault.
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