- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 12th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Södermanland, Sweden
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 58.7485°, 17.0117°
History
In the late 12th century a defensive tower was built here to guard the mouth of the Nyköpingsån river, and in the 13th century it grew into a mighty castle. In 1317 King Birger invited his brothers, Dukes Eric and Valdemar, to the castle and had them seized after a feast; both died in the dungeon, and the outraged nobles drove the king out of the country. In the second half of the 16th century Duke Charles, later King Charles IX, turned the stronghold into a splendid Renaissance residence. A great fire swept the castle in 1665, and it was never rebuilt as a royal seat. The surviving King's Tower was restored in the 20th century and now houses a museum.
What to see
The best-preserved part is the 16th-century King's Tower, with an exhibition on the castle's history and the infamous banquet. Around it lie the remains of walls, bastions and moats, and in summer the courtyard hosts performances and events. A riverside path leads to the harbour and the old town, with views of the castle reflected in the water.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q1779071
Popularity: articles about this site in 20 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).