Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mariefred
Tiny, lakeside Mariefred is a pretty little village that pulls in the crowds with its grand
castle, Gripsholm Slott.
Sights
Gripsholm Slott
CASTLE
(
0159-101 94;
www.gripsholmslott.se
; adult/child Skr120/free;
10am-4pm mid-May-mid-Sep,
shorter hours rest of year)
Gripsholm Slott is the epitome of castles, with its round towers, spires, drawbridge and
creaky wooden halls. Originally built in the 1370s, the castle had passed into royal hands
by the early 15th century. In 1526 Gustav Vasa took over and ordered the demolition of the
adjacent monastery. A new castle with walls up to 5m thick was built using materials from
the monastery; extensions continued for years. The oldest 'untouched' room is Karl IX's
bedchamber, from the 1570s.
The castle was abandoned in 1715 but renovated and extended during the reign of
Gustav III (especially between 1773 and 1785). The moat was filled in and, in 1730 and
later in 1827, two 11th-century rune stones were found. These stones stand by the access
road and are well worth a look; one has a Christian cross, while the other describes an ex-
pedition against the Saracens. Gripsholm Slott was restored again in the 1890s; the moat
was cleared and the drawbridge rebuilt.
The castle contains some of the state portrait collection, which dates from the 16th cen-
tury. There are guided tours in English at 3pm daily in summer.
Grafikens Hus
MUSEUM
(
0159-231 60;
www.grafikenshus.se
;
Storgatan 15;
noon-6pm Tue-Fri, 11am-4pm Sat & Sun)
Grafikens Hus is a centre for contemporary graphic art and printmaking, offering art
classes and staging several exhibitions throughout the year.
