Mariefred - Gripsholm Castle

The most notable building in Mariefred is Gripsholm Castle, on an island close to the shores of Lake Mälar. It takes its name from an earlier stronghold built in 1380 by Seneschal Bo Johnsson which was burned down during the peasant rising led by Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson. The present castle was built by Henrik van Göllen between 1537 and 1544 for Gustavus Vasa. Its last occupant, 1864, was King Carl XV. Gripsholm featured in Swedish history on several occasions, and was also used as a prison. In 1809 Gustavus IV Adolphus was compelled to abdicate here.

With its thick walls, massive towers and fortifications, Gripsholm has a preserved medieval character in spite of extensive alteration and new building. The two bronze cannon in the cobbled courtyard were trophies of the Russian wars in the reign of John III. One of the runic stones beside the drawbridge has an inscription recording a journey to Russia by Ingvar Vitfarnes. In the interior of the castle, which is now state property, visitors can see 60 of its 102 rooms, including the Round Saloon and the pretty little theater in the Knights' Wing, built for Gustavus III in the 18th century. The collection of 2,800 portraits of royal personages and other notabilities is one of the largest in Europe. Portraits of private citizens from 1809 onwards are housed in the high folk school in Mariefred.