Category: History

Vasa castles (Vasaslott or Vasaborgar in Swedish) are castles or fortresses built or modernized by Swedish king Gustav Vasa and/or his sons Erik XIV, Johan III, and Karl IX, primarily during the 16th century.

The castles were constructed in the Renaissance style and were often a mix of fortification and palace. They were partly built using materials taken from dissolved monasteries. Other typical features of the time, though not present in all castles, include round towers that served defensive purposes after the introduction of cannons. For this reason, new earthworks and strong walls were also built around older medieval fortresses, which had become outdated due to the advent of the cannon.

The majority of Vasa castles are still standing today.

List of Vasa castles

• Borgholm Castle, Öland
• Gripsholm Castle, Södermanland
• Gävle Castle, Gästrikland
• Jönköping Castle, Småland, Jönköping
• Kalmar Castle, Småland, Kalmar
• Kronoberg Castle, Småland, Växjö
• Linköping Castle, Östergötland
• Skaraborg Castle, Västergötland
• Stegeborg Castle, Östergötland
• Tre Kronor Castle, Uppland
• Uppsala Castle, Uppland
• Vadstena Castle, Östergötland
• Västerås Castle, Västmanland
• Örbyhus Castle, Uppland
• Örebro Castle, Närke

Vasa castles in Finland

Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden until 1809, which is why several Vasa castles are also located in present-day Finland.

• Bullerborg, Southern Karelia, Finland
• Oulu Castle, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
• Turku Castle, Southwest Finland

The term “royal palace” in Sweden typically refers to the eleven palaces owned by the Swedish state that, since the early 19th century, have been included under the royal right of disposal. In addition to these, several other castles and palaces are associated with the Swedish royal family, either because they have been used by the monarch or other members of the royal family in the present day or historically, under various forms of tenure.

The official royal palaces are owned by the Swedish state (svenska staten), administered by the Office of the Governor of the Royal Palaces (Ståthållarämbetet), and maintained by the Swedish National Property Board (Statens fastighetsverk). Alongside these, several residences are privately owned by members of the royal family, serving both personal and symbolic purposes. While some are active homes, others fulfill primarily ceremonial roles, offering a glimpse into the enduring legacy and evolving functions of Sweden’s royal household.

The table includes palaces with royal right of disposal:

Name	Location	Architect	Style
Stockholm Palace	Stockholm	Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, Carl Hårleman	Baroque
Drottningholm Palace	Lovön, Uppland	Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, Carl Hårleman	Baroque
Gripsholm Castle	Mariefred, Södermanland	Henrik von Cöllen, Fredric Nussdorffer	Renaissance
Chinese Pavilion	Lovön, Uppland	Carl Fredric Adelcrantz	Chinoiserie
Ulriksdal Palace	Ulriksdal, Uppland	Hans Jacob Kristler, Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, Carl Hårleman	Renaissance
Rosersberg Palace	Rosersberg, Uppland	Gabriel Bengtsson Oxenstierna, Nicodemus Tessin the Younger	Neoclassical
Strömsholm Palace	Strömsholm, Västmanland	Nicodemus Tessin the Elder	Baroque
Tullgarn Palace	Tullgarn, Södermanland	Joseph Gabriel Destain	Gustavian
Gustav III’s Pavilion	Haga Park, Stockholm	Olof Tempelman	Gustavian
Haga Palace	Haga Park, Stockholm	Carl Christoffer Gjörwell the Younger	Gustavian
Rosendal Palace	Djurgården, Stockholm	Fredrik Blom	Empire

The palaces Solliden on Öland and Stenhammar in Södermanland are the private property of His Majesty The King.