Home | Castles of Sweden

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HomeAdmin2021-02-18T19:43:52+01:00

Welcome!

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

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.

The Fantastic Tidö

The Fantastic Tidö

Admin2021-02-12T10:48:19+01:00Tina Klingspor|

A visit to Fiholm

A visit to Fiholm

Admin2021-02-18T17:15:46+01:00Tina Klingspor|

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Admin2021-01-01T10:29:11+01:00Stories|

One of the world’s greatest baroque castles

One of the world’s greatest baroque castles

Admin2020-09-13T15:17:49+02:00Stories|

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Beautiful Nääs Castle in the autumn light. Have

Beautiful Nääs Castle in the autumn light. Have you been there?

Photo: @hastag.solan

Trolleholm Castle in Scania in the south of Sweden

Trolleholm Castle in Scania in the south of Sweden was built in the 1760s after drawings by Carl Hårleman and was given its romantic early renaissance appearance at the end of the 1800s.

When originally under Danish rule during the 1500s it was called Kattisnabbe and when Marshal of the Realm Tage Ottesen Thott acquired it in 1538 he built a castle in honour of his dead brother and named it Eriksholm. It stayed with the Thott family until 1680 when it was sold to Helle Rosenkrantz, the widow of Marshal of the Realm and Lord Lieutenant of Norway, Niels Trolle of Trolholm. She left the estate to Herluf Trolle but neither he nor his sons ever lived there. It was sold to Fredrik Trolle in the 1720s who in 1749 had the house surveyed in order to commission a renovation scheme. Carl Hårleman presented his plans in 1750 which meant that the castle would be rebuilt in a rococo style. When completed it was renamed Trolleholm and made an entailed estate.

When Fredrik died in 1770 it was inherited by his daughter Fredrika Vivika Trolle who was married to Gustaf Bonde. They occasionally lived at Trolleholm but also had other estates to tend to. Her grandson inherited the estate in 1806 and became a very appreciated Lord as he built schools, roads and a house for the poor. He also divided the farmland and let the peasants rent it for longer periods of time which improved their situation greatly.

The castle has since stayed with the Trolle-Bonde family. Carl Johan Trolle-Bonde had the castle rebuilt 1887-1889 which gave it its present look. It houses one of the Nordic countries ́ largest private libraries and if we might say so also one of the cosiest.

Photo: @michaelperssonse

#trolleholm #visitskane #sweden⁣ #visitsweden #history #castlesofsweden #slott #svenskaslott #vscocam #instagood #travel #castlehunting #castle #castles #schloss #chateau

The correct answer to yesterday's question is Öre

The correct answer to yesterday's question is Örebro Castle! But there are of course similarities to some other Swedish castles, not least Svaneholm which was mentioned by many.

Which castle would you like to read the full history about tomorrow?

1. Trolleholm
2. Drottningholm
3. Näsby

Have a great weekend!

Photo: @orebroslott

Guess the castle!? If you zoom in you can see old

Guess the castle!?

If you zoom in you can see older window placements.

Photo: @stefan_foerster_photography

The Tessin Palace - a true gem in the middle of Sw

The Tessin Palace - a true gem in the middle of Sweden’s capital Stockholm and its position in Swedish history is marked by its location - directly facing the Royal Palace’s south entrance.

It is, of course, named after Sweden’s star architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Buildings for his private palace began in 1694 and Tessin himself made the drawings.

Tessin’s talent was apparent early and he became a court architect in 1676 at 22. When the royal castle Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) burnt to the ground in 1697 Tessin was commissioned to watch over the building of the new royal palace - Stockholm Palace. Apart from his own palace, Tessin has been part of building some of the most famous castles in Sweden like Drottningholm, Ulriksdal, Steninge, Sturefors and Rosersberg. Browse the pictures and you’ll find them.

When Tessin died in 1728 it was inherited by his son Carl Gustaf but he was forced to sell it. The Crown purchased it but later sold it to Stockholm City to become a residence for the Governor. Today, it remains the residence for Governor of Stockholm. The apartment is preserved as it was for Tessin and the magnificent baroque garden is a sight to be seen.

Photo: Åke E:son Lindman @statensfastighetsverk

We just love this picture of Uppsala Castle by @ck

We just love this picture of Uppsala Castle by @ck_the_explorer

Don't miss tonight's episode of Det sitter i vägg

Don't miss tonight's episode of Det sitter i väggarna on SvT 1 at 8pm which will feature Skebo Manor!

Skebo Manor in Norrtälje municipality north of Stockholm is a magnificent example of a Swedish manor house from the 1700s. The estate was known as an ironworks already during the 1400s but it was not until 200 years later that production really took off and gave the owner a good financial platform to develop the estate.

Dutchman Jakob Grill built the present main house in 1767-1770. There was an older manor house in Skebo but there are unfortunately no remaining paintings. During the 1800s the iron works flourished and due to the influx of money the house was filled with art, sculptures and money was also invested in the gardens - the best bragging project of the time!

The last of the iron works squires, Knut Michaelson, sold the estate in 1903 and by 1924 the entire business went bankrupt. The times had changed. It was taken over by Church trust and it was transformed into a sort of luxury retirement home for gentlemen. In 1974 it became a health resort but also this venture went bankrupt.

The Björklund family turned it into a conference and weekend hotel operation around 2003 which continued until 2013 when they tried to sell the estate. During the hotel years it was widely known for having excellent food. It was actually sold in 2013 but the deal was withdrawn. In 2019 it was listed with @skandiamaklarna with an asking price of 27 Million SEK.

Today's owners, the Dexner family, have set out on an ambitious restoration project that can be followed at @skeboherrgard

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.

Photo: @valdemar_photography

Autumns at Bjärsjölagård are the best! The est

Autumns at Bjärsjölagård are the best!

The estate carries a proud and long history. It is believed that we can trace its roots to 700 AD when Harald Hildetand owned the grounds. This was of course well before today’s castle was built. The sources prove that the famous Danish King Valdemar Atterdag purchased the estate in 1363. It then remained under the Danish Crown for some time until it was stormed by dissatisfied peasants and eventually torn down in 1526. It had since Medieval times been known as a fortified castle named Beritzholm (Beritsholm) due to it being surrounded by a moat.

Bertisholm Castle was sorted under Lindholmens County and the County Lord Mourids Jepsen Sparre used material from Beritsholm to build the grand Svaneholm Castle. In connection to this a larger barn was built which became the foundation for its present name.

In 1720, Peter Julius Coyet purchased the estate from the Crown. The present building was built in Rococo style in 1766 and 1777. The southern wing was added in 1812 which explains its Empire style.

In 1958 the entire estate was purchased by Hushållningssällskapet (a joint name for freestanding organisations working for the development of the countryside). Today the castle functions as a successful conference and hotel facility. Due to its romantic appearance it is also a sought after venue for weddings.

Photo: @bjarsjolagardsslott

New Älvsborg Fortress was part of a series of def

New Älvsborg Fortress was part of a series of defence installations that had protected the inlet to Gothenburg since Medieval times. Buildings began in 1653 with one single purpose - protect Gothenburg from the Danes!

It saw action in the Scanian War 1675-1679 as it defended the city and again during the Great Northern War 1717-1719. As military technology developed Älvsborg’s importance became less relevant and was replaced by new installations.

The most important part of the new installations was Oscar II’s Fort which was blown into the mountain itself on the southern side of the inlet. Buildings were actually initiated by the King himself in 1899 and used by the military from 1907 until 1955. It consists of several hundred meters of underground corridors and rooms intended for 300 soldiers.

Photo: @scutaru_alexandru

Örebro Castle is a medieval castle strategically

Örebro Castle is a medieval castle strategically located on an island in the river Svartån. It was expanded during the reign of the Vasa family and finally rebuilt around 1900.

For over 700 years, Örebro Castle has kept a watchful eye on anyone crossing the bridge. The oldest part, 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 the river. Important roads passed by this strategic place because from here one could control the traffic and the trade in the inner parts of Sweden.⁣⁣⁣

Photo: @scutaru_alexandru

#sweden⁣ #visitsweden #history #castlesofsweden #castle #slott #svenskaslott #castlehunting #schloss #chateau

The beauty of Kalmar Castle! Name a more beautiful

The beauty of Kalmar Castle! Name a more beautiful castle if you can! 👌

Photo: @swedishnomad

Kronovall, Sweden’s only wine palace! Today, thi

Kronovall, Sweden’s only wine palace! Today, this magnificent French baroque palace houses tens of thousands of bottles of Swedish sparkling wine in its large basement eight meter below ground.

Like all estates in Scania, also Kronovall was Danish when it was first mentioned as being owned by Anders Sinclair, Danish Counsellor of the State, who also laid the foundations for the castle Sinclairsholm in the early 1600s. He was preceded by another famous Dane, Falk Lykke, who also owned Bollerup and Gärsnäs. When Scania became Swedish in 1658 Kronovall was owned by his wife Kirsten Rantzau. Between 1668 and 1896 it was owned by Banér, Palmcreutz, von Essen af Zellie and Hamilton.

When the buildings of today’s castle began in 1896 Count Carl Gustaf Sparre was its Lord. Naturally, he commissioned one of the greatest architects of the time, Isak Gustaf Clason, who was the mastermind behind famous Swedish buildings like the Nordic Museum and the Hallwyl palace in central Stockholm.

The old house was transformed into a magnificent French baroque palace and still today Kronovall stands out among fellow palaces and manor houses in Sweden with its French architecture.

In 1991, the prominent Sparre family donated the palace and 1 500 hectares to a foundation tied to the House of Nobility. It is today rented by the wine producing Åkesson family and also serves as a hotel and restaurant. The Sparre family still keep a wing for themselves.

@enstudiophotography

@kronovallsvinslott #kronovall #kronovallsvinslott #kronovallsslott #sweden⁣ #visitsweden #history#castlesofsweden #slott #svenskaslott #castlehunting #castle #schloss#chateau

The medieval castle Ekenäs is located outside Lin

The medieval castle Ekenäs is located outside Linköping in Östergötland. 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.

Photo: @j_gustafsson

#ekenäs #östergötland #sweden⁣ #visitsweden #castlesofsweden #slott #svenskaslott #castlehunting #castle #schloss #chateau

Royal and historic Tynnelsö Castle outside Strän

Royal and historic Tynnelsö Castle outside Strängnäs in Södermanland County is a peculiar castle which has been owned by both bishops and royalties. Today it is closed for the public awaiting a substantial renovation scheme.

Tynnelsö is a five story brick castle with its oldest parts dating back to the 1300s. From 1306 it belonged to the bishops of Strängnäs and the current castle’s first floor and tower is preserved since the Middle Ages. During the 1400s it was rebuilt by Bishop Kort Rogge. Following the Reformation in 1527 the Crown took possession of the estate and rebuilt it as a royal leisure estate for Queen Katarina Stenbock, King Karl IX and Queen Dowager Hedvig Eleonora.

In 1779 it was sold to Simon Bernhard Hebbe who made it an entailed estate the following year for his son. The castle’s present appearance comes from the 1820s. Unfortunately the house was left to disrepair.

In 1940 the castle was given to the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities but it was shortly thereafter taken over by The Swedish National Heritage Board and later, in 2015, The National Property Board of Sweden.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand @statensfastighetsverk

#tynnelsö #sodermanland #sweden⁣ #visitsweden #history #castlesofsweden #slott #svenskaslott #castlehunting #castle #schloss #chateau

Our good friend @jepsolell recently visited Sweden

Our good friend @jepsolell recently visited Sweden again and the result is, as usual, nothing short of fantastic.

Pictured is the 18th Century Great Hall at Gunnebo.

FOR SALE! 42,5 Million SEK Kölva Manor just 25

FOR SALE! 42,5 Million SEK

Kölva Manor just 25 minutes outside Uppsala is for sale with @areal

Kölva is known since at least 1742 when it was mentioned as an Inn. Different laws and regulations have existed in Sweden since 1355 that have regulated the establishment and maintenance of Inns as part of travel and communications in the country.

In the beginning of the 1800s Kölva belonged to the extended estate of Sjöö Castle and has thereafter also sorted under Wik Castle until around 1941. It ceased to function as an Inn in 1907.

Today's buyer will, apart from the manor itself, also get 366 hectares comprising 107 hectares of farmland and 251 hectares productive forest. Hunting possibilities are said to be of good quality.

The estate is listed with @areal.se for 42,5 Million SEK.

Photo: @areal.se Patrik Lindholm, Marcus Hallberg, Victor Vretlund

FOR SALE! For 59 Million SEK you will get a castl

FOR SALE!

For 59 Million SEK you will get a castle encompassing 1500 sq.m. just a stone’s throw away from Stockholm and with a history stretching as far back as 400 years!

While today’s house was given its current coating in 1910 its foundations can be traced to the 1600s when it was owned by Johan Skytte Rasta. It was then owned by a number of noble families until P.O. Wallin purchased and rebuilt it in 1910. It was then owned by the Widén family who worked the land extensively.

In 1972 it was owned by Stockholm County and between 1991 and 2009 it was owned by Thomas Cederström. Today’s owners Charlotte and Ulf Kilman also use the buildings for their health institute - The Kilman Institute - specializing in helping elite athletes.

Rastaborg is for sale with @erikolssonsthlm

Årsta Castle in Österhaninge just south of Stock

Årsta Castle in Österhaninge just south of Stockholm. The main building was commissioned by Barbro Åkesdotter Natt och Dag in the 1660s. In 1805 it was acquired by Ironworks owner Karl Fredrik Bremer, father to the famous author Fredrika Bremer. Årsta Castle was her childhood home.

Since 1969, the castle has been owned by Haninge Municipality and is open for visitors during the summer. Pre-booked groups can also visit during the winter.

Foto: Johan Gustafsson @g40studio @arstaslottsmuseum

Gripsholm Castle, one of the eleven royal castles

Gripsholm Castle, one of the eleven royal castles of Sweden. The Seneschal of the Realm, Bo Jonsson Grip purchased the surrounding land between 1377-1380. He merged them into an estate and erected a castle with a strategic closeness to Stockholm. He named the estate Nesboholm, probably after one of the original farms Näsby but not more than a year later it was mentioned as Gripsholm. The name “Grip” came from Bo Jonsson’s family’s crest which carried a griffin (Swedish: Grip). King Albrekt of Mecklenburg visited in 1383 and when Bo died in 1386 it was sold to Queen Margaret. Very little remains from the original castle and the castle that we see today was built by Gustav I who began building in 1537 as part of a new system of national defences.

The most famous remains of the 16th Century is the chamber of Duke Karl. It is one of the absolutely best preserved interiors from this period anywhere in Sweden and delight to see. During the reign of Gustav III at the end of the 18th Century the King spent considerable time at Gripsholm. Sweden “theatre King” fitted the castle with a theatre in one of the round towers. This is one of the best preserved 18th century theatres in Europe.

During the 1890s, massive renovations were put in place. The driving force behind this work which aimed to restore it to its 1500s character was the head of the National museum of Sweden, Gustaf Upmark. He was supported by King Oscar II who himself contributed to the restorations.

Today, the castle houses the Swedish State’s portrait collection with more than 5000 pieces and is, of course, open to the public.

Photo: @mnmshakir

#sweden⁣ #visitsweden #history#castlesofsweden #slott #svenskaslott #castlehunting #castle #schloss#chateau