- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 1545 · 16th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Östergötland, Sweden
- Style
- Renaissance
- Architect
- Arendt de Roy
- Coordinates
- 58.4460°, 14.8836°
History
King Gustav Vasa began building the castle on Lake Vättern in 1545 as a fortress guarding eastern Sweden. In 1552 the king's wedding to his third wife, Katarina Stenbock, was held here. His sons, John III and Duke Magnus, turned the stronghold into a Renaissance residence with richly decorated gables, completed only in the early 17th century. The mentally ill Magnus lived in the castle for many years. Later the building served as a granary and storehouse, and today it houses regional archives and exhibition rooms.
What to see
A broad moat surrounds the castle, and the lake side looks out over Vättern. The 16th-century interiors, including Duke Magnus's rooms and the castle chapel, can be seen on guided tours, and exhibitions describe the Vasa era. In summer the castle hosts concerts and opera performances. The Abbey of St Bridget is a few minutes' walk away.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q1757808
Popularity: articles about this site in 22 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).