The Iron Boy Järnpojke: Stockholm’s Smallest Monument
Järnpojke, aka “Iron Boy,” is so small you might miss him. In fact, he’s the smallest monument in all of Sweden. But going in search of him is worth the trip when you’re in Stockholm. And don’t forget to make a wish!
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There’s someone in Stockholm I want you to meet. He is very small, a little boy. He likes to dress up in hand-knitted scarves and hats in the cold Stockholm winters and sun hats on hot summer days. He enjoys receiving presents and having his head patted. And he loves looking at the moon.
Meet Järnpojke, aka Iron Boy or The Boy Who Looks at the Moon. At less than 6″ high, he is Stockholm’s smallest monument.
His name is Järnpojke, which translates as “Iron Boy,” because that’s what he’s made of. He’s easy to miss because he’s less than 6 inches/15 cm high. He sits on an iron bench, his legs pulled up and his arms wrapped around his knees, with his face turned toward the sky. That’s why he is also called “The Boy Who Looks at the Moon.” A visit to see him is one of the nicest things to do in Gamla Stan, the city’s Old Town, the most charming and delightful part of Stockholm.
A Stockholm Secret Attraction Tucked Into a Small Garden
As with Copenhagen’s underwater statue of Agnete and the Merman I posted about earlier, most Stockholm guidebooks don’t mention The Iron Boy. Finding him is a bit of a trick, which is why he’s sometimes called a “secret attraction.” His perch sits at one end of a tiny courtyard garden behind the Finnish Church, just a few yards from Stockholm Palace.
I don’t think I ever would have stumbled on Järnpojke by myself. I was led there by our guide on an Old Town Walkabout: Guided Tour of Gamla Stan I found through Get Your Guide. The perfect introduction to Stockholm’s Old Town, it showed me things I never would have found on my own. It also gave me a grounding for wandering about solo later on. That’s why I always search out a walking tour when I get to a new city, and this Gamla Stan walking tour was a good one.
The Iron Boy was first created in 1954 by local artist Liss Eriksson. He was positioned on his little table and placed in the courtyard in 1967. Supposedly, Eriksson had a studio overlooking that courtyard at the time and got tired of how boring his view was. He decided to dress up the space with a piece of art. Also, it’s said that Eriksson, who died in 2000, suffered his whole life from insomnia and spent a lot of time staring at the moon hanging in the night-dark sky. So perhaps “The Boy Who Looks at the Moon” is a bit of a self-portrait.
Local people often dress Järnpojke up, especially in the Swedish winters when he’s often seen in hand-knitted hats and scarves.
Always there are coins from many nations. People leave coins as both a thank you and a plea. For the Iron Boy is said to have magical powers that bring good luck. If you pat his little head three times and make a wish, it’s sure to come true within a year. Others say if you pat him, you will return to Stockholm. His forehead gleams from decades of people seeking his blessing. The Finnish church collects the coins surrounding the boy and adds them to a fund to help needy kids in Finland.
How to Find Järnpojke, the Iron Boy
A Gamla Stan Walking Tour will show you this and many other charms in Stockholm’s Old Town, and I highly recommend booking one. However, if you prefer to venture out to search for Iron Boy on your own, begin at the obelisk in front of the Royal Palace. With your back to the palace, look forward and a bit to your left to the narrow street called Bollhusstäppen and the yellow-orange building of the Finnish Church, the Finska Kyrkan. To the right of the church, walk a few yards/meters up that narrow street to the courtyard in the back of the church on your left. Iron Boy is at the far end of the garden courtyard. You can click on this link to Google Maps to find the exact spot.
Järnpojke’s iron head has been worn shiny smooth by decades of beseeching hands patting him for good luck.
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What a beautiful monument. I have been hoping to travel to Stockholm for sometime – I hope to find this 🙂
It’s worth looking for, Alexandra, and not so hard to find with directions.
This is really interesting. I will check it out next time 🙂
Oh how nice, I would love to check this out and have an experience like this soon.
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I frankly had no clue this place had so much to offer.
What a super fun statue! I love how locals take care of it with hats and scarves. I’ll definitely check it out if I ever get to Stockholm.
Yes, definitely fun, Cindy. He set me up for a “smile all day” rest of the walking tour.
Oh wow, this is so cute. What a great piece of art. I would love to see this when I visit Stickholm.
I think you’d enjoy Stockholm, Daphne, and yeas, I love how the local people dress him up in all sorts of outfits and bring flowers, candy and gifts to keep him happy.
I would love to visit Stockholm and how cute is that little hat and scarf.
This sculpture is so beautiful I didn’t know it existed! my first thought when I saw your picture was “hoe sweet!” so no wonder the people of Stockholm care for it that much if they find them as sweet as I do!
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Sweet is the perfect description, Nati. Thanks for commenting.
Haha I love unique and secret areas and it’s fun to find new things where you don’t expect.
I’m the same way, Claire, always looking for those “hidden treasures.” Happy travels.
Charming post! I hadn’t heard of this little gem, but will certainly seek out Järnpolke on my next visit to Stockholm.
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Interesting post about the Iron Boy. I’d love to visit him in Stockholm.
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Despite the tiny size of this monument, it looks very cute. It’s clear why it attracts a lot of attention from tourists and citizens.
Thanks for the kudos, Debbie. I’m glad you liked it. Yep, call me a carry-on woman.
Hi! Thank you for writing this interesting post about the Iron Boy. I liked the whole story and enjoyed reading it.