Swedish Palaces, Castles and Royal Residences

[GrandDuchess]

My favourite Royal Palaces:

Nr. 1: Drottningholm

I myself think that Drottningholm Palace is one of Europe's most beautiful palace and park together. The palace is situated so enourmously well and beautifully on Lövön in Stockholm, with water and great parks and scenery around it. It was a few years since I was inside the palace, and I don't think I have a favourite room - but Rikssalen is very nice, as is Queen Lovisa Ulrika's Libarary. The Drottningholm Theatre close to the palace is also great, a very fascinating old theatre.

Nr. 2: The Royal Palace of Stockholm

The Royal Palace of Stockholm is a fascinating place, situated in the central of Stockholm with water near it. You can really feel the wings of history at the same time as you feel its vibrance, it's full of activity. Last time I was there was a year ago or something, and I don't have one favourite room (not that I've been to all 609 rooms, but the ones I have been to) - but these are my goodies:

* The Bernadotte Aparment (13 rooms) - Pelarsalen and Oscar II's Writing Room (with heavy curtains and thick fabric on the furniture, his organ is there)
* The Bernadotte gallery is nice (there 1991 portrait of The King by Nelson Shank is there, in the background of it you can see a clock with the time of death of King Gustav VI Adolf, 20:31 pm),
* The Celebrations Division - beautiful, the Coucil Room (Konseljsalen) is situated there (it's were The King holds his meetings with the councils he's in, and other meetings)
* Karl IX's Gallery - the most splendid room of the palace, it's a copy of the Mirror Room in Versailles and is 48 meters long (!). This is were the great dinners are held at state visits, for the Nobel week, etc.

[hrhcp]

GrandDuchess  Posted: May 30th, 2004 - 7:28 pm

In the old days, the Royal House had a lot more palaces and estates, which are today used for other things. In Sweden, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of palaces/castles. The State has its own Government Authority which has the responsibility of the hundreds of other palaces/castles that are owned by the Swedish State. Some are used by the State for regional authorities (for. ex. residences for County Governors, regional authortities) and such, some are museums, some are run by private people on a lease, and some of the palaces which are located in Stockholm are used as the Government's official houses (like the Prime Minister's official residence, ministries, authorities etc. etc.)

Thank you, GrandDuchess for your contribution. I love it !!!

Sweden comes alive in a way that has so far escaped me.

With these "hundreds of other palaces/castles ... owned by the Swedish State", is there perchance a link where I can look - at my leisure - at the other arrangements of magnificient stone? :)

[Chanel]

WOW! They have such an amazing variety of Palaces and places to stay! Amazingly beautiful all of them!

[Dennism]

Here are a few photos of the lovely Ulriksdal Palace.

1

2

3

4

[hrhcp]

Hey Dennism !

Want to 'split' Ulriksdal Palace .... you can have the left wing and I will have the right wing, the servants in the back, and party all the time !!!?????!!!!!!!!!

[Dennism]

Originally posted by King Christian@May 31st, 2004 - 2:09 am
Hey Dennism !

Want to 'split' Ulriksdal Palace .... you can have the left wing and I will have the right wing, the servants in the back, and party all the time !!!?????!!!!!!!!!

Yes. Sounds like a plan.

[hrhcp]

Thought I should explore the web for Strömsholms Slott and see what I could find.

winter time
scenes outside & inside

"On a small island in the Kolbäcksan River, somewhat of an Italianate stronghold, Strömsholm Slott surveys the lazy traffic of boats up and down the Strömsholm Canal.

Although it remains a royal castle, Strömsholm has been placed under the care of Sweden's National Horse Sports Association.

Within is an acclaimed collection of old equestrian paintings. Horse-riding and jumping contests are regularly held here, amid the beautiful park and its surroundings.

On a number of Thursday evenings from mid-June to mid-August, classical music concerts are held at the castle."
(from: http://www.republika.pl/wiesiodaniel...KAPP/trasa.htm)
Has Princess Madeleine come here in the course of her equestrienne involvement?

built in 1903

[Dennism]

Some photos of Tullgarns Slott:

The grounds and exterior

Exterior

Nice Floral Design

Closer view of design

Exterior upclose

Windows and Door

Guarding it all

Into a salon

A detail in the green bedroom

[hrhcp]

I came across an old fortress near Gothenburg
Bohus Fortress

[Dennism]

Originally posted by King Christian@May 31st, 2004 - 3:34 am
I came across an old fortress near Gothenburg
Bohus Fortress

In a book that I have for this fortress it says:

"The first defensive fort here, a wooden affair, was built by the Norwegian king in the 14th century, on what was then Norway´s southern border. This was replaced by a solid stone building, surrounded by deep natural moats, a complex which came to be known in Sweden for its impregnability. After withstanding six Swedish attacks in the 1560s, the colossal stronghold was rebuilt, this time enclosing a Renaissance palace. When the area finally became Swedish in 1658, Bohus didn´t enjoy much of a respite: during the next 20 years, a further 14(!) sieges here saw some spectacular bombardment by the Danes: records show that 15,000 men fired 30,000 red-hot cannonballs at the unfortunate fortress, which somehow managed not to fall. Where attack failed, Swedish weather has succeeded, however, and today the building is very much a ruin-albeit a well-kept, grassy one."

It is in the village of Kungälv or King´s river. There are concerts and opera performances there in the summer.

http://www.kungalv.se/turism/eng/default.htm

[Yennie]

Has Princess Madeleine come here in the course of her equestrienne involvement?

Yes, she´s been to Strömsholm at riding camps when she was in her teens.

[hrhcp]

Interesting link to other castles, compliments of GrandDuchess:
Vår gemensamma historia

and the english version:
Palaces and Fortifications

[Dennism]

Good links. Thanks for posting them.

[hrhcp]

How about this pile of stone at Blekinge?
you could tempt me

[Yennie]

Don´t forget Sofiero Castle. Old summer residence of the Royal family and a beautiful place! Actually I´m going there tomorrow to listen to Bryan Adams :P

Sofiero Castle

the garden

one more...

[loving silvia and carl gustaf]

my favourite castle is "Drottningholms slot..." It's beautiful. After that "Kungliga slottet" in Stockholm comes...I think they are both wonderful castles. I also like Solliden a lot...it's great... all of them are ...

[Josefine]

I am off to the libary

we got threads about the main castles could someone post the link so that people can see the pictures of the castles

[hrhcp]

Yennie  Posted: Jun 2nd, 2004 - 7:56 am

Don´t forget Sofiero Castle. Old summer residence of the Royal family and a beautiful place!

How can I forget when I don't even know ..... beautiful garden, Yennie. Thanks for positng the pic's. :)