Nyköping - Nyköpingshus Castle and Museum

From Nyköping's Stora Torg, Slottsgatan runs south to the massive castle of Nyköpingshus, on the right bank of the Nyköpingså. The original castle probably dated from the time of the Folkung kings. In 1318 King Birger Jarl imprisoned his two brothers, who had disputed his claim to the throne, in the castle and left them to starve to death. The castle was burned down in 1665 and later partly rebuilt. There survive the main gateway (Vasaporten) and Duke Charles's Tower or Kungstornet on the west side. In the tower is Södermanland County Museum, which documents the history of Nyköpingshus (model of the castle) and the province of Södermanland (material recovered by excavation, portraits of Swedish rulers). Northwest of the castle is the