- Address: 746 96 Skokloster, Sweden
- Phone: +46 8 402 30 60
- Website: skoklostersslott.se
- Architect: Caspar Vogel
Not all European castles are gloomy and massive. Some buildings are graceful, beautiful and even luxurious. We invite you to pay attention to one of their Swedish masterpieces - Skokloster Castle.
More about the castle
Castle Skokloster (sometimes referred to as Skukloster) is more like a real huge palace than a monumental fortress. A palace was built on Lake Mälaren , geographically it is in the north-west direction from the town of Sigtuna . The scooter is considered one of the special monuments of the Swedish crown.
The initiator of the construction was Field Marshal Carl Gustav Wrangell, who was an approximate special king and a participant in the hero of the Thirty Years' War. The construction was delayed for 15 years, it was led by architects Caspar Vogel and Nicodemus Tessin the Elder from 1653 to 1668. The complete finish of the building was completed only in 1770.
Castle Skokloster thought of Wrangel as a family nest and a monument for descendants. But this was not destined to happen: out of 15 children before adolescence lived only 3 daughters. The castle as a dowry of Margareta's eldest daughter Juliana Wrangel passed to the ancient family of Brae. And when the last of his representatives died in 1930, Rutger von Essen became the new owner.
In 1967, the castle with all its contents was sold to the government of Sweden and is open to all comers. In 1970, a complete restoration of the buildings was carried out.
Interior and exterior of the castle
The scullster is a white rectangular building with four tall towers at the corners, with classic baroque superstructures and a courtyard.
Inside the castle is decorated with wood carvings, ceiling moldings and even parquet floors. The interior is complemented by high tapestries, paintings (only 600 portraits here) and expensive furniture, carpets from the East and luxurious curtains, books and other things that have reached our days in excellent condition.
Antique Collection
Carl Gustav Wrangell brought to the Castle Skokloster all his collection of weapons and military trophies received during the Thirty Years' War. These are Turkish scimitars, crossbows and Polish pistols, various daggers and armor, incl. The royal shield with golden notches, captured in Prague. All military values are placed in the special Armory room by Wrangel himself, and this order has been preserved to this day.
Some of the antiques were added to the collection from the noble castles of Denmark after the winter crossing of 1657-1658. on the ice across the Straits Bolshoy and Maly Belt. Religious trophies - the pulpit, the font and some sculptures from the Polish monastery Oliva Field Marshal handed over to the 13th century female monastery, located to the right of Skokloster.
The total collection of the castle has about 20,000 antiquarian values and about 30,000 old books. By the way, the park is also preserved, which was built around the castle after construction.
How to get to the castle?
The Skokloster Castle is located about 10 km from the nearest town of Sigtuna . The historical monument can be reached by taxi, car or bus number 311 to the stop Skokloster Slott. Traveling independently, look at the coordinates: 59.703327, 17.621127.
From Stockholm to Skokloster Castle about an hour's drive. Currently, the castle-museum conducts group excursions in Swedish and English, at the end you can visit the local cafe and souvenir department.