14 Strange House Details From All Over the World That Actually Have an Explanation

4. Phoenix bird, Stockholm (Sweden)

There is a symbol of a Phoenix bird that hangs over the doors of some buildings in the historical center of Stockholm. This medallion used to cost a fortune in the 18th century. It started because houses in the old city were built so close to each other, that whenever there was a fire, it had the potential to destroy the whole block or even district. Firefighters first extinguished the houses with this distinctive medallion on the façade, while the houses of poor people were tended to later.

The medallion with the Phoenix bird was like fire insurance. And here is an interesting fact about the consistency of the Swedish people – the fire insurance company that used to sell these medallions back then is still in business today.