In Stockholm, the 100th anniversary was marked of the Italian Embassy’s relocation to the prestigious Oakhill Palace on the island of Djurgarden, purchased by the Italian state in 1926 from the Swedish Royal House (it had been the residence of Prince Wilhelm, son of then-King Gustaf). The embassy reported the celebration took place in the presence of Parliament Vice President Kerstin Lundgren, Secretary of State for Migration Anders Hall, President of the Stockholm City Council Olle Burell, Marshal of the Realm and former Deputy Prime Minister Jan Bjorklund, and selected guests from the worlds of government, culture, business and the Italian community. The event emphasized Italy’s decision at the time to establish its diplomatic representation in one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Perhaps even more than when it was acquired, and now that the building has also gained historical significance while Italy and Sweden have become not only close friends but partners within the European Union and allies in NATO, Oakhill Palace-prominently visible in the cityscape and regarded as one of Stockholm’s most beautiful embassies-stands as a testament to the importance of the bilateral relationship with Sweden.

“It is a great honor but also a great responsibility to be custodians of one of Stockholm’s most architecturally and historically significant palaces,” Ambassador Michele Pala said during the commemorative event, which focused on the building’s architectural value, its architect Ferdinand Boberg, and the dialogue between Italy and Sweden in this field. These topics are also explored in a new book on Palazzo Oakhill-presented at the celebration-produced by the Embassy in collaboration with the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Cagliari and the Italian Cultural Institute in Stockholm; the volume will soon be available in digital form.