Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred

Gripsholm Castle or Gripsholm Slott is one of the eleven royal castles in Sweden. Gripsholm Castle is build in Mariefred, a small place next to Lake Mälaren in Sörmland (south of Stockholm). King Gustav Vasa had the castle built in the early 16th century. The furniture and artwork of the castle represents four different centuries. The highlights of the castle include an authentic 16th century room, a theater from the 18th century and the National Portrait Gallery.

Chamber of Duke Karl

One of the first rooms you visit in the castle is the chamber of Duke Karl. The frescoes on the ceiling in this room date back to 1573. The rest of the room is also still intact and as it was in the 16th century. You can’t enter the room because of the vulnerability of the historical features but you do get to peek inside from behind a glass fence.

Theater of Gustav III

Another highlight at Gripsholm Slott is one of the best preserved theaters in Europe from the 18th century. As King Gustav III spend a lot of time in his favourite Gripsholm Slott, he had a lot of renovations and alteration done at the castle. One of those things was a very well equipped theatre in one of the towers of the castle.

Portrait gallery

The selfies nowadays are actually a modern version of the portraits from those good old times. In Gripsholm Slott you can find an extensive collection of portraits of famous Swedes: many royal portraits, of course, but also one of Bjorn Andersson of ABBA, one of Astrid Lindgren, one of Ingvar Kamprad (the founder of Ikea) and portraits of many others got a place in this unique collection. You’ll spot well-known Swedes from the time of Gustav Vasa until now.

More information on the website of Gripsholm Castle.

Close by

• Gripsholms Värdshus, the oldest inn from Sweden

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