HomeAdmin2022-12-04T09:08:43+01:00

Your Guide to Castles of Sweden

Discover Sweden’s past and present through the beauty and history of Sweden’s castles, palaces and manors.

Explore History

Located deep within endless nature or in the middle of sprawling cities; castles, palaces and manors make up some of the many treasures to be found in Sweden. Each has its own exciting story to tell and gives you an insight into how Sweden has evolved over the centuries to become the place it is today.

Address Book

The quintessential online lifestyle guide for those seeking the very best of what castles of Sweden may offer

Museums

Hotels

Dine & Drink

Weddings

Sporting

Wellness

Social Feed

For all the latest updates, follow @castlesofsweden on Instagram.

castlesofsweden

#castlesofsweden | Sharing the beauty & history of Sweden's castles, palaces & manors. 🇸🇪🏰

We are back in Östergötland and the medieval cas

We are back in Östergötland and the medieval castle Ekenäs!

Although never a royal castle its owners have belonged to the very highest aristocracy for the past 500 years. Today’s castle is built on the foundation of a medieval fortress overlooking the surrounding landscape.

We can trace the ownership of Ekenäs to Svante Sture. When Erik XIV, the son of Gustav I (Vasa), became King of Sweden in Uppsala 1561 he set out to secure his power by winning the favor of the very top of Swedish aristocracy. One of the main strategies was to bestow three of the most powerful noblemen the title of Count. These three, Svante Sture, Per Brahe and Gustaf Johansson (Tre Rosor), became the first Swedish Counts. One of the first things Svante Sture did to show his new status was to build a stone house on the site of Ekenäs Castle.

Between 1630-1640 the castle, as we see it today, was built by Peder Banér and his son Claes Banér. In 1675, Gustaf Banér was heavily affected by the Great Reduction and forced to sell it. The two wings that we see today were added by Mauritz Vellingk who owned the estate between 1687-1727. It was returned to the Banér family when Mauritz’s daughter married Johan Banér and stayed in the family until 1879 when it was acquired by Count Philip Otto Leonard Klingspor. Philip’s daughter lived in the castle until 1934 after which it was uninhabited for some time.

In 1939 it was purchased by the industrialist Bergengren family who renovated the castle and still own it today.

📸 @coloursthrumylens

Trolleholm Castle, not far from Malmö in southern

Trolleholm Castle, not far from Malmö in southern Sweden.

📸 @svenskadestinationer

Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred is known as Gustav V

Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred is known as Gustav Vasa's castle, as it was he who built the castle here in 1537.

Today the castle is home to the Swedish State's collection of portraits. The collection features portraits of prominent Swedes from Gustav Vasa's time to present day.

In summertime we recommend taking the historic steam engine boat S/S Mariefred from Stockholm to Mariefred for a scenic journey.

📸 @photobyrassmus

Tyresö castle sits beautifully on a hilltop overl

Tyresö castle sits beautifully on a hilltop overlooking Kalvfjärden just south of Stockholm.

The castle was built by Baron Gabriel Oxenstierna (the brother of renowned Chancellor of State Axel Oxenstierna) in 1630-1633. Gabriel died just 7 years later and was inherited by his son Gustaf who unfortunately died at the age of 35 in 1648. His wife, the extraordinarily prominent Maria Sofia De la Gardie, daughter of Ebba Brahe and Jakob De la Gardie, took over the estate and never remarried. She became one of the first major Swedish female entrepreneurs.

From Tyresö she controlled estates in Sweden, Finland, the Baltic provinces and Pomerania. She made it her life task to excel in manor management and traveled to Holland to learn about the latest methods of keeping cattle, managing estates and gardens. As a result of her education she laid the foundations for paper mills, shipyards and timber businesses. When Scania became Swedish she seized the opportunity to buy estates. One of the estates she purchased was Krapperud. However, in the Great Reduction, she lost most of her holdings. Tyresö Castle stayed in the family until Maria’s grand-daughter Maria Gustava Gyllenstierna died in 1737.

In the 1760s, Carl Fredrik Scheffer initiated a huge refurbishment of the castle and Sweden’s first English Park was laid out by Fredrik Magnus Piper. This was celebrated by none other than King Adolf Fredrik and Lovisa Ulrika in 1770.

In 1892 the estate was purchased by Marquis Claes Lagergren (with money from his American wife). He restored the estate and made it a meeting place for the elite of the time - Verner von Heidenstam, Carl Snoilsky and the “Painting Prince” Eugen. When Claes died in 1930 his wife, Caroline Russell from New York, donated the estate to the Nordic Museum who still owns it today and maintains it beautifully. It is open to the public during the summer months.

📸 @thiagowithadrone

Lejondal Castle is one of Sweden’s youngest cast

Lejondal Castle is one of Sweden’s youngest castles – completed in 1892. It is together with Thorskog, Tjolöholm, Bjertorp and Teleborg among the last castles built in Sweden.

The estate traces its roots to the early 1400s when it was owned by Swedish Queen Filippa of England, the wife of Eric of Pomerania. It was originally known as Bro-Lövsta and renamed Lejondal during the 1600s after its owner Erik Abraham Leijonhuvud. During the 1700s it was owned by the Funck- and Gripenstedt families.

Governor and Count Eric Samuel Sparre purchased the estate in 1810 and in 1843 it was inherited by his son Erik Josias Sparre who also owned neighbouring Brogård. When Erik died in 1886 it passed to his daughter Louise Ulrika Sparre who was also married to Louis De Geer av Leufsta. After Louis died in 1887, Countess Louise Ulrika decided to build the present house while the lands had been divided between Louise Ulrika and her brother Johan Sparre who became the owner of Brogård. Lejondal was built by Isak Gustaf Clason between 1889-1891 and while Louise Ulrika established herself in the new house in 1892 it was not completely decorated until the turn of the century. Her new husband, Fredrik Rappe, never liked the castle so it became their summer residence instead. After mentioned Rappe managed to peculate his wife’s money they were forced to sell the place in 1914 to Norwegian Aal who, unfortunately, was more interested in the surrounding woodland than the castle.

When Axel Robert Bildt acquired the estate in 1918 he renovated the and modernised the main building and turned the estate into an exemplary estate. He lived there until his death in 1944. For the past 50 years the castle has functioned as a conference and hotel facility and is currently owned by @stockholmmeeting

Photo: @lejondalsslott

#lejondalsslott #uppland #sweden⁣ #visitsweden #history #castlesofsweden #slott #svenskaslott #castlehunting #castles #schloss #chateau

Ekenäs Castle on a crisp winter day! ❄️ 📸

Ekenäs Castle on a crisp winter day! ❄️

📸 @jessicasofialundgren

Vadstena Castl, @vadstenaslott, is first mentioned

Vadstena Castl, @vadstenaslott, is first mentioned even before it was built when Gustav Vasa was elected Regent of Sweden in August 1521. In 1544, at the “inheritance Parliament” in Västerås (when it was decided that the King of Sweden no longer should be elected), a decision was taken that a fortress should be built in Vadstena. The following year Gustav Vasa started the building process together with the Pomeranian fortress builder Jochim Bulgrin. The purpose was to erect a strong keep, originally called Vättersborg, to protect the Kingdom against Danish enemies. By 1550 the castle and a surrounding moat was sufficient for the King to move in. Two years later, Gustav Vasa celebrated his wedding to Katarina Stenbock at Vadstena. Gustav’s third son, Magnus, was given it as a fief in 1557 and the transformation from a keep to a palace began. His older brother, Johan III, later extended it even more and gave the castle its Renaissance style.

During the reign of Karl X Gustav the palace was extended with its mid-tower after drawings by Jean de la Valée but shortly thereafter Vadstena lost its importance when the kings stop living there. The last royal who lived there was Karl X Gustav’s widow Hedvig Eleonora, but she actually lived in a house next to the castle. When she died in 1715 the castle became a granary, liquor warehouse and military storage facility.

In 1823 the freestanding towers were demolished and in 1850 the embankments were replaced by trees. The reasonably high walls surrounding the courtyard were knocked down in the 1860s and replaced by much lower walls made of limestone. One year before the turn of the century, Sweden’s first regional archive was established in the castle’s eastern two top floors.

During the 1900s the castle has truly experienced a revival. Following a suggestion in 1939 the old embankments were rebuilt in 1984 and in more recent time, beginning in 1997, the two towers have been re-erected and the walls have been restored. Today, it is a true joy to visit the impressive Vasa Castle.

📸 @ziehm

Happy New Year! 🥳🥂 #topnine2022

Happy New Year! 🥳🥂

#topnine2022

Merry Christmas! We hope you are having a wonderfu

Merry Christmas! We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season surrounded by loved ones.

📸 @thomas.wijk_

Get yourself a French Château for Christmas! 🇫

Get yourself a French Château for Christmas! 🇫🇷🏰

The concept of collective purchasing, created by our friends at @dartagnans, allows everyone to get involved in a different
way in the preservation of heritage and helps revive crumbling historical monuments.

The fairytale Château de la Mothe Chandeniers, saved by 20 000 people across the globe, recently opened a
new crowdfunding project and is offering shares in this architectural gem in exchange for funds to help
renovate it.

In the heart of the French Loire Valley, la Mothe Chandeniers is a one-of-a kind architectural gem. Abandoned for nearly 100 years, the destiny of the château took a major turn in 2018 when, under the
impulse of Dartagnans, tens of thousands of people from around the world came together to save the ruin and
bring it back to life. Today, the château belongs to 20.000 people from 115 countries who work towards its
development and preservation. Of course we will be sharing the progress on @castlesoffrance!

Order your gift box and become a Châtelain (co-lord)
of the Mothe Chandeniers Château!
With the gift box « Ma Part du Château » you become a co-châtelain of this architectural and historical gem and
participate in its renovation and rebirth.
Join thousands of co-châtelains of the Mothe Chandeniers
château from all around the world and benefit from
several privileges such as:
- Free entrance for life
- Real power of decision on the
development of the project
- Access to exclusive events

The "Gingerbread Castle", @tjoloholm, beautifully

The "Gingerbread Castle", @tjoloholm, beautifully covered in snow.

📸 @willrose_the

Vaxholm Fortress covered in snow and ice. ❄️ W

Vaxholm Fortress covered in snow and ice. ❄️ Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

📸 @copter_shot

Kastellet is a small citadel located on the islet

Kastellet is a small citadel located on the islet Kastellholmen in central Stockholm.

On the top of Kastellet, the Military Ensign of Sweden is hoisted and lowered every day, indicating the nation is at peace. On May 17, 1996, the Norwegian Constitution Day, some Norwegian expats temporarily raised the Norwegian flag in the tower.

📸 @p3swe

Övedskloster Castle outside Sjöbo in the souther

Övedskloster Castle outside Sjöbo in the southern province of Scania is considered one of the most pristine Rococo buildings in Sweden. Originally, as is revealed in the Swedish name, it was a monastery. During the Danish Reformation this changed and in 1666 it became the possession of Swedish Councillor of the Realm Carl Mauritz Lewenhaupt. In 1753 it was acquired by Hans Ramel, commonly known as Hans the Builder for his vast amount of land and his eagerness to develop his domains. He was the owner of many estates, not least Övedskloster, Löberöd, Maltesholm and Tullesbo.

In 1766, Hans Ramel made Övedskloster an entailed estate for his heirs. Around the same period he commissioned Carl Hårleman for the drawings of a completely new castle complex which was built between 1765-1776. Since then, the estate has been passed down in the Ramel family for generations.

📸 @theabrownthea

The earliest known history of Marsvinsholm stretch

The earliest known history of Marsvinsholm stretches as far back as late Medieval times when we, in 1371, find evidence of a manor called Borsjö located just south of the current castle.

It became the possession of Otte Marsvin in 1629 who inherited it from his aunt, Birgitte Marsvin. He was born at Dybäck Castle and apart from Marsvinsholm he also became the owner of Krageholm and Clausholm. Otte built an elegant Renaissance castle surrounded by a moat in 1644-48. Otte and his wife Mette Brahe never came down with a son but their daughter Margrethe, who married Jörgen Urne - a famous warrior and diplomat, was blessed with a son named Christian, who inherited Marsvinsholm from his grandfather in 1647.

Christian lost the estate following the Peace Treaty of Roskilde in 1658 and it fell to Gustaf Otto Stenbock. But following the Second Danish War (as described in Sweden) Urne swore his allegiance to the Swedish King and was granted back his family’s castle. When he died in 1667 it was sold to Holger Ottesen Thott.

It was restored in 1782-1786 by Count Erik Ruuth but it was not until the 19th Century that Marsvinsholm really received its place in the history books when King Gustav IV Adolf on 31 October 1805 declared war on Napoleon at Marsvinsholm. In 1856-1857 the castle was given its current appearance under Julius Edvard Stiernblad. At the very end of the Second World War, in April 1945, Marsvinsholm was the place of secret discussions between British General Richard Dewing and his Danish and Swedish counterparts.

📸 @sophiabergholm

Winter is here! ❄️ 📸 @storasundbyslott

Winter is here! ❄️

📸 @storasundbyslott

Spooky! 👻 Torup Castle, one of the most well-pr

Spooky! 👻 Torup Castle, one of the most well-preserved castles from the 1500s in Sweden.

📸 @__inspire_83__

The music video for "Listen to Your Heart" by @rea

The music video for "Listen to Your Heart" by @realroxette was recorded at @borgholms_slott, one of Sweden's most legendary outdoor arenas.

It is said that the American film crew thought that Roxette built the castle ruin just for the shoot...

We look forward to summer and concert season to re-visit this magical place!

📸 @borgholms_slott

Karl XI's gallery at Drottningholm Palace. We love

Karl XI's gallery at Drottningholm Palace. We love the floor pattern! What do you think?

📸 @jepsolell

Örebro Castle is a medieval castle fortification

Örebro Castle is a medieval castle fortification in Örebro. It was expanded during the reign of the royal family Vasa and finally rebuilt around 1900. The castle sits on an island in river Svartån. Some of the rooms are used as classrooms for pupils from Karolinska Skolan.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
For over 700 years, Örebro Castle has kept a watchful eye on anyone crossing the bridge on the River Svartån. The oldest part of the castle, a defence tower, was erected in the latter half of the 1300s.
⁣⁣⁣
This tower was extended not long after, and towards the end of the 16th century most of the impressive castle we see today was built by the then Duke but later King Charles IX of Sweden.
⁣⁣⁣
The name of Örebro comes from the small stones, called "ör" in Swedish, that a river transports. The second part of the word comes from the bridge ("bro") that was built over this fjord. Important roads passed by this strategic place because from here one could control the traffic and the trade in the inner parts of Sweden.⁣⁣⁣

📸 @scutaru_alexandru

Load More… Follow on Instagram