Castle sights in Sweden
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Slottet
The magnificent Slottet now serves as the county governor’s headquarters. While the castle was originally constructed in the late 13th century, most of what you see today is from 300 years later. The outside is far more dramatic than the interior (where the castle’s conference business is all too evident). Parts of the interior are open for exhibits, but to really explore you’ll need to take a tour; there’s a historical one at 4.30pm (in Swedish or English, depending on numbers) or ‘Secrets of the Vasa Fortress’ at 2.30pm (in English), which is a slightly toe-curling piece of costumed clowning around. Book either one through the tourist office. The northwest tower holds a…
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Kronobergs Slott
In 1542, the Småland rebel Nils Dacke spent Christmas in Kronobergs Slott, now a ruin. The 14th-century castle is on a small island (reached by footbridge) in photogenic Helgasjön lake, about 8km north of the town.
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Malmöhus Slott
Malmö's castle has an intriguing history, although not much remains of the older citadels built on the site: today, with its red-brick, Functionalist buildings (dating from 1937), it looks more like a factory! Some of the Malmö Museer are based inside the castle.
Erik of Pomerania built the first fortress here in 1436, to control the growing medieval town and Öresund shipping. This castle was destroyed between 1534 and 1536 during a popular uprising in Skåne. In the years immediately after the rebellion, King Christian III of Denmark had the castle rebuilt in forbidding late-Gothic and early-Renaissance styles.
The most famous prisoner at Malmöhus Slott (from 1567 to 1…
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Kalmar Slott
Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…yes, Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This powerful Renaissance building was once the most important in Sweden, and it’s fortified accordingly. It also boasts one of the best-preserved interiors from the period. King Erik’s chamber is a real scene-stealer. Erik’s rivalry with his brother Johan caused him to install a secret passage in the loo! There’s also a superb suspended ceiling in the Golden Hall; eye-boggling wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling marquetry in the Chequered Hall; an elaborate bed, stolen as war booty then carefully vandalised so that no Danish ghosts could haun…
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Uppsala Slott
Pink and ponderous, Uppsala Slott was built by Gustav Vasa in the 1550s. It contains the state hall where kings were enthroned, and where Queen Kristina abdicated. It was also the scene of a brutal murder in 1567, when crazy King Erik XIV and his guards killed Nils Sture and his two sons, Erik and Svante, after accusing them of high treason. The castle burned down in 1702, but was rebuilt and took on its present form in 1757. In the dungeon below the castle’s south tower is the Peace Museum, with displays on various world conflicts and atrocities, as well as Sweden’s long record of neutrality and the achievements of former UN secretary general Dag Hammarskjöld. At the cas…
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Ulriksdal Slott
The 17th-century royal pad Ulriksdal Slott was home to King Gustaf VI Adolf and his family until 1973. Several of their exquisite apartments, including the drawing room, dating from 1923, are open to the public. The stables house Queen Kristina’s magnificent 17th-century coronation carriage (call ahead for access), while the Orangery (noon-4pm Tue-Sun Jun-Aug) contains Swedish sculpture and Mediterranean flora. Head to T-Bergshamra metro stop, then take bus 503.
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Drottningholms Slott
Drottningholms Slott is a wonderland of Renaissance-inspired palace, French-style gardens and the whimsical 18th-century Drottningholms Slottsteater. The world’s oldest theatre still in its original state, its summertime performances still use the vintage machinery. Equally unmissable is Kina Slott, a lavishly decorated and skilfully restored Chinese pavilion (1753).
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Vadstena Slott
Overlooking the lake, the mighty Renaissance castle Vadstena Slott was the family project of the early Vasa kings. The lower floors contain a small historical display. The furnished upper floors are more interesting, but only open during guided tours (in English mid-May to mid-September; call ahead for times); it’s worth going on one if only to visit the chapel, with its incredible 17-second echo!
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Rosendals Slott
On the northern side of Djurgården, Rosendals Slott was built as a palace for Karl XIV Johan in the 1820s. One of Sweden’s finest examples of the Empire style, it sparkles with sumptuous royal furnishings. Admission is by guided tour only. While you’re out this way, don’t miss the wonderful cafe, set among lush gardens and greenhouses and serving tasty organic grub.
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Kärnan
Dramatic steps and archways lead up from Stortorget to the square tower Kärnan, all that remains of the medieval castle. The castle became Swedish property during the 17th-century Danish-Swedish War, and was mostly demolished once the fighting stopped. The tower was restored from dereliction in 1894, and the view from the top (34m) is regal indeed.
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Ekenäs Slott
Ekenäs Slott, built between 1630 and 1644, is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Sweden. Features include three spectacular towers, a moat, and furnishings from the 17th to 19th centuries. Located 20km east of Linköping, you’ll need your own transport to get there.
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