What is "stenbastugrand"

Stenbastugränd (Stenbadstugränd) is a small alley in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Connecting Västerlånggatan to the square Brantingtorget, it forms a parallel street to Kolmätargränd and Storkyrkobrinken.

The present name of the alley first appears in historical records in 1440 as stenbadzstufwo grændinne, thus referring to the city's stone sauna located in the alley. As early as 1515, however, the alley is called Wruaders gränd in references to Nils Månsson Urväder who bought a brewery in the alley in 1485. The latter name was the one used until 1925, when the alley was given back its old name in order to avoid confusion with the street on Södermalm also called Urvädergränd. The alley used to stretch through the present block all the way to Myntgatan on the opposite side. In connection to the enlargement of Kanslihuset ("The Chancellery House") during World War II, which resulted in Kanslihusannexet ("The Chancellery Annex") and its circular courtyard ( Brantingtorget), the alley was transformed into the short tunnel it is today.