In Stockholm, on the island district of Djurgården, there is a small museum full of laughter, beloved characters and the feeling that fairy tales have stepped into real life. It is called Junibacken.
Junibacken opened in 1996. Its name comes from Junibacken, the home of Madicken in Astrid Lindgren’s books; Lindgren is also the creator of Pippi Longstocking.
The idea came from Staffan Götestam, who wanted a lively cultural house for children rather than an old-fashioned museum. Lindgren supported the project on the condition that it would not become only an Astrid Lindgren museum, but would also include other children’s authors and illustrators.
That is why Junibacken brings together many figures from children’s literature, from Alfons Åberg and Pettson and Findus to worlds connected with Lindgren. The stories are staged as playful, physical environments where children can enter the books rather than simply look at them.
Junibacken, a fairy-tale world for children
A favorite stop is the reconstruction of Pippi Longstocking’s house, Villa Villekulla, with Mr. Nilsson on the roof tower, stockings everywhere, a rumpled bed, shoes scattered through the house and all the joyful disorder that belongs to the strongest girl in the world. Children can play in the kitchen, dress up, draw, invent games and move through the space as if they had stepped into the story.
Villa Villekulla
At the end of the route, children find workshops, boats and trains. There is also a well-stocked bookstore and a circus-shaped restaurant, with raspberry juice and cake adding to the atmosphere.
The Junibacken restaurant 
Junibacken 
The children’s museum in Stockholm 
Junibacken 
Junibacken
Anna Lohan
Peter Dark
