The amazing country of mountains and lakes - Sweden - is full of a peculiar charm. One of its business cards are castles and fortresses, of which there are countless in Sweden. Most of them belong to the state, but some are rented from private and public organizations on condition that their original form is preserved and used purposefully. The country carefully and reverently treat these memoirs of antiquity and annually allocate large funds for maintaining them in perfect condition.
Castles and fortresses of Sweden
Below is a list of the diverse but equally magnificent medieval castles in Sweden: let's get acquainted with their names and photos, which are sure to interest lovers of antiquity:
- Uppsala Castle. This majestic structure was erected over a hundred years under the direction of five architects who succeeded each other. Work began in 1549 on the orders of King Gustav I Vasa. The building of its size and wealth should have surpassed the archbishop's castle in order to show the greatness of the state and the Swedish king in particular over the church. Now there are three museums here .
- Kalmar Castle in Sweden in ancient times defended the city from the invasion of its neighbors from Denmark. Here, negotiations were held and important historical documents were signed for the country. At this time, a beautiful fort fort is open to tourists.
- Gripsholm Castle in Sweden, built and owned by the family of Bo Yonson Grip, was radically reconstructed by the king, who confiscated it from the rightful owner and left the facade unchanged. Located 60 km from Stockholm , this castle belonged to defensive structures. Now there is a well-known gallery of portraits.
- Vadsten Castle in Sweden refers to the bright memorials of the Renaissance. It consists of four cannon towers and three stone structures in the middle. Until 1716 the castle was the residence of kings, but after that it was forgotten and served for technical purposes. At the end of the century before last, they began to bring him back to life. Now here is the historical museum, which is adjacent to the international academy of Vadstena, a travel agency and an archive.
- The Castle of Thida in Sweden is a massive medieval structure erected on the orders of Alexei Oksenshern - a famous Swedish politician under King Gustav II. In the very heyday of his reign, he built a majestic castle, which to this day has preserved its pristine beauty and grandeur.
- The Orebro Castle , located in the Swedish city of the same name on the bank of the River Svarton, was built to protect against the raids of unfriendly neighbors back in 1240. Subsequently, his appearance changed due to numerous destruction and restoration, so that in the pristine state only the watchtower remained. Now this is a majestic building towering above the surface of the river, rushing the peaks of its watchtowers into the endless blue sky of Sweden.
- The Castle of Swaneholm (Swanholm) in Sweden is located 30 km from Malmö . Once it was the territory of Denmark, and the castle passed from hand to hand to the Danish nobles, and later became the property of the royal crown of Sweden. Visitors can stroll through the vast estate with a beautiful park and admire the life of the nobility in the local museum.
- Malmsky castle was built a little later than other royal castles and palaces of Sweden, and therefore it is much better preserved. After he lost his defensive purpose, there was a prison. Now tourists, passing through the moat with water, fall into the middle of the historical structure and can enjoy the weapons of medieval Vikings, samples of plants and animals of the region, as well as other historical finds that have survived to this day.
- Castle Strömsholm , standing on the island of Lake Mälaren , is not like other Swedish castles. It was built in 1550 and looks more like a wealthy nobleman's estate, although in fact it always belonged to the royal family. In the castle is the richest collection of paintings, as well as the equestrian club, which annually conducts noisy and crowded competitions.
- Drottningholm Castle is the Swedish Versailles. There is its own theater, a church, a huge park of snow-white sculptures and ringing fountains, and of course, a rich interior.