Vita Bergen, or Vitabergsparken, is a hilly parkland area in Södermalm, Stockholm. It’s formally part of the Vita bergens kulturreservat (White Mountains’ Cultural Reserve). Visit Vitabergsparken to mix with the locals on a sunny day or go for an evening stroll after dining out in the Södermalm nightlife district.
The “Vita” (“White”) part of the name is said to stem from the old practice of bleaching textiles on the hill on sunny days.
Vitabergsparken is easy to spot from the waterfront in Södermalm, because it’s home to Sofia Kyrka (St Sofia’s Church), which is perched on one of the two hills in the park. The other hill has an open-air theater that was established in the 1950s. It’s still used for concerts and festival performances.
Södermalm hasn’t been always this idyllic though. The area round Vita Bergen in particular was once the poorest borough in Stockholm. The hill started out as a slum, built from the ground up by dock workers who had little to spare.
Since the area leading up from the Skånegatan to the church has been given a facelift, the park has become a pleasant place to hang out. These days, Södermalm is hip. This now fully gentrified island of the Swedish capital is home to students, artists and young professionals, who often come to this park in summer to read a book, relax, watch a concert or play soccer.
Bring a picnic blanket or beach towel to make yourself comfortable on the lawn as you soak up the summer atmosphere. If it’s a bit too cold for that, go for a hike along the paths of the park and enjoy the views across the water. You can see many different Stockholm islands from each hill.
One of the park’s most photographed buildings is the red-painted wooden house near the church. Stay in the park until late at night to see the Sofia Kyrka (Church) lit up, which makes for a striking picture.
Just below the park is the green expanse of Tengdahlsparken, where you can extend your evening walk as you head back east to the waterfront.
