01
Borgholm Slott
In Borgholm, Öland. Borgholm Castle is now only a ruin of the fortress built outside the city during the latter part of the 12th century by Knut Eriksson, King of Sweden and Götaland. As a castle it was a 66 feet high, free standing keep built of limestone walls more than 16 feet thick with a winding staircase inside. It was meant to fortify the coastal churches, since Sweden in those days was carrying on feuds with heathen people on the other side of the Baltic. From the tower, one could watch the ships in Kalmar Sound and the important trading center at Köpingsvik. The castle was destroyed during the wars between Sweden and Denmark at the beginning of the 15th century, and wasn’t renovated until Johan III started reconstructing it in 1572. However, it was again left in bad condition after the Treaty of Knäred in 1613. A great fire in 1806 left the decayed castle in ruins. Today, Borgholms Slott is one of Öland’s most important tourist attractions, with guided tours and exhibitions. It’s also used for concerts: Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, and The Ark have performed there.

02
Solliden
In Borgholm, Öland. Solliden is the royal family’s summer residence. It was built for Queen Victoria in 1906, inspired by her friend, Swedish Doctor Axel Munthe’s Italian villa on Capri. Electricity was installed after her death, when Gustav V inherited the villa.
Solliden has three floors: The first is for business purposes; the second has an entrance hall, a parlor, a dining room, and guest rooms; a staircase from the entrance hall leads to the third floor where there are bedrooms, a parlor, and an office. Apart from the main villa, there are several other buildings surrounding Solliden. At the time of construction, a crofter’s cottage had to be moved and since 1948 has been used as a playhouse.
Guests often stay in a building called Kavaljershuset (aka Jägarhyddan). There are also some office buildings and stables.
South of the villa is a pergola with clinging vines as well as an Italian garden adorned with statues and pots. South of the Italian garden is an English park with sprawling lawns and more statues. Solliden also has a rosegarden, a croquet arena, a pavilion, and a bathing-hut near Kalmarsund. It’s also a major tourist attraction.
The present King inherited Solliden in 1950.

03
Marsvinsholms Slott
In Ystad, Skåne. Marsvinsholms Slott was initially an estate called Bosöe and is first mentioned in the beginning of the 14th century. In the mid-1500’s it was owned by members of the family Ulfeld but changed owners around 1630, when Otte Marsvin built the castle, giving it his own name. Marsvin built the castle on poles in a small lake, creating a square with four floors; there are two corner turrets. Marsvinsholm underwent a major renovation in 1782-1886, initiated by Count Erik Ruuth. During Ruuth’s time as an owner of the castle, several opulent parties were held, oftentimes attended by the royal family. Marsvinsholm got its Christian IV-style in 1856, when Baron Jules Stjernblad had the Danish architect rework Marsvinsholm. Carl von Linné visited Marsvinsholm in June 1749, and wrote about the garden where there grew “splendid hedges of hornbeam, on the south side of linde, and in the middle of hawthorn.” He further added “Peaches, apricots, quince, and Iris bulbosa were growing in abundance here.” The gardens Linné visited were eventually partly replaced by a park, which is open to the public. During the summer months one can enjoy open-air theater performances here.
The castle is today owned by Tomas Jacobaeus.

04
Glimmingehus
In Simrishamn, Skåne. Glimmingehus is the best preserved medieval castle in Scandinavia. Built in 1499-1506 (by the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand), while Skåne was a part of Denmark, it contains parapets, false doors, and dead-end corridors as well as so called murder-holes for pouring boiling pitch on attackers. There are also adventurous features such as moats, draw bridges, and other forms of death traps to keep surprising trespassers at bay and protect the nobles against peasant uprisings.
An extravagant lifestyle was lived at Glimmingehus. Ulfstand was a nobleman serving under King John I of Denmark, and objects uncovered during archeological excavations include Venetian glass and Spanish ceramics, hinting at the wealth of Ulfstand and his family. Everyday comfort included hot air channels in the walls and bench seats in the window recesses. It has also been argued that Glimmingehus is an expression of “Knighthood nostalgia” and not considered progressive enough even to Ulfstand’s contemporaries. It is thought to have served as a residential castle only for a few generations, before being transformed into a storage facility for grain.
King Karl XI ordered the castle to be demolished in 1676 to ensure it would not fall into Danish hands during the Scanian War. The demolition attempts failed. Today, Glimmingehus hosts a museum, a medieval kitchen, a shop, and a restaurant.

05
Trolle Ljungby Slott
In Kristiandstad, Skåne. Trolle Ljungby Slott is one of Skåne’s most magnificent renaissance buildings in the typical Christian IV-style (typical of this style is red brickwork, decorated with bands and other architectural details in stone). It is also one of the largest estates in Sweden. Ljungby (as it was initially called) was probably a fortified residence during the Middle Ages. It was owned by the family Bille during the 1300-1400’s, later to be owned by families Brostrup, Ulfstand, and Gyllenstierna. The diplomat Peter Julius Coyet bought Ljungby in 1662.
The castle consists of three two-floor buildings in brick, conjoined around a courtyard, which is partially opened, and is surrounded by a moat. The garden is among the most beautiful in Skåne, and south of the castle islet there’s a church with a baptismal font from the 13th century.
Trolle Ljungby was made famous through the legend Ljungby horn och pipa, about a boy who encounters some trolls living under the Maglesten (or Trollesten) on a Christmas Eve. The trolls give the boy a horn and a pipe, and these can still be seen in one of the castle’s windows where they are stored in a vitrine.

06
Örebro Slott
In Örebro, Närke. The Örebro Slott has its roots in a strategic defense tower built 700 years ago, when Örebro was a center for the iron trade. The tower was square, about 98 feet high and surrounded by a thick ringwall. In the 14th century this fort was enlarged by King Magnus Eriksson. A three-story building was added, with the result being a U-shaped compex in which the original tower was still the highest point. In the Middle Ages, the castle was besieged nine times, being involved in repeated warfare. In 1560, King Gustav Vasa’s youngest son Karl (later King Karl IX of Sweden) began an ambitious extension program, transforming the old stronghold into a magnificent Renaissance castle, used by both Karl IX and his son Gustav II Adolf. When the building was finally completed in 1627, the state had no real use for it and the newer monarchs preferred other residences. Slowly Örebro Castle began to fall into disrepair. With the 1750’s came new ideals in style, and it was decided to begin repairs on the Castle. All defenses were removed – attacks against the castle were no longer feared – instead courtyards and terraces were laid. An apartment was fitted out, which has ever since been the official residence of the County Governor of Örebro. Örebro Castle is one of several Vasa castles in Sweden. In many of them the interiors have been better preserved, while Örebro was continually renovated to suit the taste of the times.

07
Läckö Slott
On Kållandsö, Västergötland. Läckö Slott is known as De la Gardie’s castle on the shores of Lake Vänern, but it’s much older that that. The foundations were laid in 1298, by the Bishop of Skara, Brynolf Algotsson. After the reformation in 1527, Läckö ceased being a bishop’s castle, and came under the crown. Gustav Vasa had his brother-in-law Svante Sture repair and improve it; Sture also took possession of the castle, which remained in his family until it was lost in 1605. When field marshal Jacob Pontusson De la Gardie was granted the property in 1615, he embarked on an extensive building spree, including the third floor of the keep. The portal to the main courtyard was added during this period, as were frescos depicting people and plants. Count De la Gardie was only 30 years old when he took over the castle and the county. In 1654 he initiated construction projects, including new rooms and housing for the staff. He also added the kitchen wing, the castle chapel, and a fourth floor on the keep. Even if the Middle Ages hover over large parts of the castle, it is the Baron’s castle you see when you visit Läckö today.

08
Stockholms Slott
In Stockholm, Södermanland. The Stockholm Palace is the official and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch, although the private residence of the royal family is now Drottningholm Palace. Located on Stadsholmen in Stockholm’s Old Town, the Palace is neighbor to the Swedish parliament. It was initially built as a fortress with a core tower in the 13th century by Birger Jarl in order to defend Lake Mälaren. The fortress grew to a palace, named Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) after the core tower’s spire. Under King Johan III, in the late 16th century, it was decided that the palace would be rebuilt in a Baroque style after a design by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. The transformation was completed in 1697, but much of the palace burned to the ground following a fire on May 7, 1697. After the fire, it was gradually rebuilt by Tessin. Half-round wings were added around the outer western courtyard, the palace church was finished in the 1740’s, and the exterior was done in 1754. The northwest wing was finished in 1760. To the north, the Lejonbacken (“Lion’s Slope”) was built from 1824 to 1830. The palace is guarded by a royal guard with members of the Swedish Armed Forces – this guard dates back to the early 16th century.
Stockholm Palace is built of brick, with midsections of the west, south, and east façades covered by sandstones. The roof slopes slightly inwards and is covered with copper. It has 609 rooms and is one of the largest royal palaces in the world still in use for its original purpose. The southern façade represents the nation, the west façade represents the king, the east façade represent the queen and the northern façade represents the common royal. The entrance to the Bernadotte Apartment is on the left of the second floor if you walk up Västra Trapphuset (Western Staircase).

09
Drottningholm Slott
In Stockholm, Södermanland. The private residence of the Swedish royal family, Drottningholm Palace is also a popular tourist attraction. The name Drottningholm (which means Queen’s islet) came from the original building, a stone castle built by King Johan III in 1580 for his wife Katarina Jagellonica. The estate was initially called Torvesund. Hedwig Eleonora bought the castle in 1661, a year after her role as Queen of Sweden had ended. However, the castle burned down later the same year. Hedwig hired Nicodemus Tessin the Elder to design and rebuild the castle, and when he died, his son Nicodemus Tessin the Younger completed the work. Drottningholm was eventually given as a gift to the then Princess, later Queen, of Sweden, Louisa Ulrika of Prussia in 1744 when she married Adolf Fredrik of Sweden, who became King of Sweden in 1751. During Louisa’s ownership, the palace interior was turned into a sophisticated French Rococo style. Louisa also saw to it that the Drottningholm Palace Theatre was rebuilt in a grand style. In 1777 she sold Drottningholm to the Swedish state. While owned by the state, Gustav III of Sweden, Louisa’s son, lived there. During the 19th century, the palace was ignored and started to decay. Eventually in 1907, a major restoration was carried out. The current Swedish royal family has used Drottningholm as their primary residence since 1981.

10
Kalmar Slott
In Kalmar, Småland. Located near the site of Kalmar’s medieval harbor, Kalmar Castle has played a crucial part in Swedish history since its initial construction as a fortified tower in the 12th century. It was King Magnus Ladulås who ordered the construction of a fortress around the tower in the 1280’s. The Castle was the very center of political events in 1397 when Denmark, Norway (with Iceland and Greenland), and Sweden (including Finland) joined in the Kalmar Union under a single monarch, Queen Margareta of Denmark. Another woman connected to the Castle is the widow of the knight Måns Johansson, Anna Eriksson (Bielke), who received Gustav Vasa here upon his return to Sweden in 1520. Kalmar Castle had its heyday during the 16th century, when it got its final appearance. Gustav Vasa and his sons Erik XIV and Johan III rebuilt the medieval fort to a palace worthy of a renaissance king. The ballrooms were redecorated and all of Kalmar Castle was turned into the fairy tale castle it still is. However, a period of decline followed, and the building so rich with traditions was degraded into a prison and a distillery. During the 1850’s a heavy restoration program began, which has continued into modern times.

11
Ekenäs Slott
In Linköping, Östergötland. With its three impressive shingled towers, Ekenäs is one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden. Its military character is shown by a surrounding moat, and it’s strategically situated on a cliff on the shore of a lake which is now drained. One of Ekenäs Slott’s earliest owners was Svante Sture, who lived during the reign of King Erik XIV – a well-educated renaissance prince, who gave three of the most distinguished noblemen of Sweden the title Count. One of them was Svante Sture. To celebrate his importance, Sture had a stone house built in 1562 on that cliff. But the castle received its renaissance appearance during the 1630-1640’s by councilor Per Banér, and is today one of the most magnificent castles of the period. The castle stayed in the hands of the Banér family for a significant amount of time, and was lived in until 1934. The owner today is Wilhelm Bergengren of the noble family Bergengren. Nobody lives there today - it still lacks running water and electricity - but it is open to the public as a museum and there are guided tours. Other events include birthday parties, weddings, ghost walks, and corporate events. There are also annual jousting games during Whitsun weekend (Whitsunday, Pentecost), so-called tournaments with knights in full armor, jesters and a whole medieval village brought to life by enthusiasts.

12
Tidö Slott
In Västerås, Västmanland. The foundation for Tidö Castle is an old, square fort called Oldenburg, which was probably constructed by councilor Gren at the end of the 15th century, and which remains today in ruins. The present castle was built by Axel Oxenstierna 1625-1645. It was most likely begun by a Dutch architect, but after 1640 the construction was overseen by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. Tidö Castle consists of a rectangular main building and three lower connected wings, which surrounds a square courtyard. The gateway is flanked by Doric columns carrying a Doric beam and the Oxenstierna and Bååt coat of arms.
Gren’s daughter sold the estate to Queen Margareta Leijonhufvud in 1537, Gustav Vasa later exchanged it for Ekolsund Castle, and it ended up under the ownership of Göran Åkesson (Tott), whose sister inherited it (she was married to councilor Johan Bååt ). Bååt’s son’s daughter Anna, who was married to Axel Oxenstierna, inherited Tidö Castle in 1610. Axel Oxenstierna’s amazing apartment in the castle has remained untouched. The castle was again sold in 1889, when it was bought by Carl David von Schinkel – his family still owns it today.

13
Haga Slott
In Solna, Södermanland. Haga Palace is located in Hagaparken, a British-inspired park built on the initiative of King Gustav III. The park features pavilions and temples (like the Turkish Kiosk) and there are also the foundations of an out-of-town residence called Stora Haga Slottsruin. The palace was built in 1802-1804, commissioned by King Gustav IV Adolf, and designed by architect Christoffer Gjörwell, influenced by the looks of Italian villas. It’s surrounded by the English Park (the name for a fashionably romantic landscape so popular at the time). The current King of Sweden, Carl XIV Gustaf, and his sisters were all born at the Haga Palace. After the death of their father, Prince Gustav Adolf, in a plane crash in 1947, the royal family moved to the Royal Palace in Stockholm. In 1966 King Gustav VI Adolf transferred the right of disposal for Haga Palace to the Swedish Government. The palace is today used to accommodate guests of the Swedish government.

14
Ericsbergs Slott
In Katrineholm, Sörmland. Ericsbergs Castle was known as Pintorp estate during the Middle Ages. It came into the hands of the Gyllenstierna family in 1508, and councilor Erik Karlsson Gyllenstierna began turning the estate into a castle in 1650. It was his son, Kristofer Gyllenstierna, who saw to it that the castle got its final look, with the help of the architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. The castle got its name after the death of Erik Karlsson Gyllenstierna in 1657. During the majority of the 18th century, Ericsbergs Castle belonged to the Hildebrand family, and an extensive expansion took place then. Later, in 1808, the castle was turned over to the Bonde family – and they are the current owners as well. The castle park, which is open to the public, boasts a copy of the famous labyrinth of the British Hampton Court and has a Baroque park, a rose garden, a spring garden, and an Italian park. There’s also competitive horse training at Ericsbergs Castle.
The castle has, according to legend, a ghost – Pintorpafrun, the most famous of all Swedish ghosts. A mean lady, who when alive treated her servants badly, she was overcome by guilt after her death and can’t ever get peace. Pintorpafrun got her name from the castle’s initial name, Pintorp, or it’s possibly a play on words for someone who “pinar torpare” (torments crofters).

15
Tjolöholms Slott
In Göteborg, Västergötland. Tjolöholms Castle is a beautiful manor house in the Elizabethan style – a real Tudor castle in Sweden! The estate was bought in 1892 by James Fredrik Dickson, who worked at the Royal Court. He bought it because he needed space to breed his race horses. Erected 1898-1904 by James Dickson’s wife and cousin, the female builder Blanche Dickson, its front has a Tudor look while the inside is an example of Art Nouveau. The manor had comfort far above the standard of the times: The building was heated by a piped hot air system, in spite of several fireplaces. There are three bathrooms - all have showers and sunken baths, and a horse-drawn vacuum cleaner pulled around the outside of the house while the thick hoses were pushed into the rooms through the windows(!). Together with architect Lars Israel Wahlman, Blanche Dickson created a unique environment at Tjolöholm with the manor house, the estate workers’ village, and church. The beautiful park, the manor house, the church, and a wagon museum are open to the public. One can stroll the grounds or take a dip in the nearby Kungsbackafjorden.

16
Kulla Gunnarstorps Slott
Outside Helsingborg, Skåne. Kulla Gunnarstorps Castle consists of a fort, dating from the 16th century, and a castle built towards the end of the 19th century situated in a big park. The castle was built with towers and battlements and has a magnificent view over the Sound. In the park one will find Skåne’s (and probably Sweden’s) biggest beech tree (it measures 6,15 meters around the trunk - over 19 feet). The castle is built in a mix of Christian IV-renaissance and Italian classicism, and is surrounded by several interesting buildings, such as the Kulla Gunnarstorp mölla, a beautiful Dutch windmill from 1809. Initially, Kulla Gunnarstorp, or Castle Gundestrup as it was called, belonged to the Parsberg family. It later came into the hand of councilor Jörgen Brahe through marriage. For awhile it belonged to Count Jacob de la Gardie and was also owned by the Wachtmeister family. Today it belongs to Gustav Trolle.

17
Pålsjö Slott
In Helsingborg, Skåne. This salmon-colored sweet-as-candy manor lies in the middle of Pålsjö forest. It was erected in 1676-1679, but dates back to the Middle Ages. It was count Magnus Stenbock’s headquarters during the Battle of Helsingborg in 1710, and then deteriorated, but was beautifully restored. The park, which is in French style, was added during the 1760’s. Pålsjö Castle belonged to the Follin family until the city of Helsingborg bought it in 1908. It was again sold in 2006 to a business constellation, and its interior was turned into offices.

18
Sofiero Slott
In Helsingborg, Skåne. One of the Swedish royal family’s country mansions, Sofiero dates back to the turn of the 20th century. It was originally built by Crown Prince Oscar and his wife Sofia in 1864, and was expanded when he became King Oscar II. It was continuously used by Swedish royals, and became the official summer residence of King Gustaf VI Adolf – it was presumably his favorite place, and upon his death (he died in Helsingborg) he left Sofiero to the city of Helsingborg so that the public could enjoy it as much as he had. Located 5 km north of the city, it has some very large gardens with a wide range of plantlife - the rhododendrons are especially noteworthy - stretching all the way down to the shore. The palace also has a collection of modern art, it is used as a restaurant, café, art gallery, and during the summer the large grass areas are used for outdoor concerts. Bob Dylan and Bryan Adams, among others, have performed here.

19
Skokloster Slott
In Stockholm, Södermanland. Skokloster Castle was built between 1654 and 1676 in the Baroque style after a design by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, by Carl Gustaf Wrangel. In 1967 the castle was sold by the von Essen family to the Swedish government and has since been a museum. The castle beautifully shows off Sweden’s prominent era, when it was one of Europe’s most powerful countries. Some of the rooms have remained unchanged since its completion. No other European building can boast a 17th century building site with the same authenticity as Sklokloster, with its sumptuous Baroque splendor. It also has remarkable collections of paintings, furniture, textiles, silver- and glass tableware. Wrangel’s collections of weapons and books are particularly noteworthy.

20
Torups Slott
Outside Malmö, Skåne. Torups Castle is one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in Scandinavia. It dates back to the 14th century. It’s a three-story square brick building with an octagonal tower. Görvel Fadersdotter Sparre built the castle in honor of her son. Later on she married Lave Brahe, a Danish councilor. Eventually Torup came into the hands of the Grubbe family, and during that time was often visited by the Danish king Christian IV. A terrible and well-published accident took place in the little castle lake in 1775, constructed by King Christian, when Fredrich Trolle and his aunt and sisters were rowing and fell into the water. Since none of them could swim, they all drowned. A group of 1000 farmhands gathered at Torups Castle in 1811 to protest against Karl XIV Johan’s discharge of men from Scania to defend the Swedish coast against the British Royal Navy. Their protest was the starting-point of the bloody Klågerupps Massacre 1812. The castle has changed owners several times. It now belongs to the City of Malmö, although the Leithner family will have access to it until 2035.