A Visit to Gripsholm Castle in Sweden
If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know that I recently traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, to speak at the Bonnier GRID media conference. As is my nature, I wanted to take in as much of Stockholm and its surrounding areas as possible, and a trip to Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred was a destination on my itinerary. Interestingly, there are hundreds of castles in Sweden, located mostly in the south. Because there are so many dotting the countryside, the Swedes take these castles for granted, but they are popular destinations for tourists.
Throughout history, the south of Sweden has been the most fertile area of that country and kings and other noblemen built their fortresses with a steady food source in mind. Gripsholm Slott (the Swedish word for castle) dates back to 1380, when Bo Jonsson Grip built a fortress on that location. In 1526, King Gustav I seized the land and built a fortified castle with circular corner towers and a wall for defensive purposes. I found this castle fascinating, as it always intrigues me to walk through a structure so ancient and full of history.
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- A better view of the gilt chandelier.
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- A fine boiserie inlay in a hallway
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- A visit to Gripsholm Castle commences with a walk near the exterior farm buildings.
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- It also includes a lovely old-fashioned greenhouse.
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- Kevin Sharkey and Jill Dienst, my traveling companions, posing in front of the castle greenhouse, where the tropical plants used throughout the castle are kept in the winter months.
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- A private house across the water from the castle was inviting. We learned that it was once part of the castle grounds.
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- This is one of the barracks of the castle.
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- An old fashioned drawbridge used to get over the moat
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- The roof of the castle is domed, and turreted, and very beautiful.
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- These iron braces are actually holding the thick stone walls together.
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- This is the main entrance into the castle and was once heavily fortified.
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- A pleasing view over the moat and into the town of Mariefred, where Gripsholm Castle is located
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- The doors to the castle are heavily paneled.
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- A fanciful stencil design decorates the plaster arched ceilings.
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- More designs were painted on the walls.
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- Everywhere are charming iron lanterns.
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- Two canons, heavily encrusted with decorations, sit in the courtyard.
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- The castle has about 150 rooms, with windows, and several wells like this.
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- The old brick is beautiful.
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- Inside are models of the castle at different peiods in its history.
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- An ornate portrait of King Gustav I, who ruled Sweden from 1523 until his death
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- One great feature of the castle is the ornate painted decoration everywhere. This is a lovely painted tile floor.
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- Another model
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- Every room seems to have a different parquet pattern on the floor.
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- The windows are leaded and ornate.
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- Historic portraits abound throughout the castle.
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- A small built-in bed in one of the bed chambers – Notice the painted scenery.
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- More painted designs over very ornate wood work
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- The panels tell the stories.
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- Even the ceilings were painted and paneled.
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- I loved how practical the wood work was. These benches were built-in surrounding the walls.
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- Kevin was entranced with all the decoration and took many pictures.
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- Each room has tiled stoves – traditional in Swedish homes and palaces.
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- A better view of this plain, but well-proportioned stove
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- Another fanciful, yet practical bench
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- A faux bois painted decoration – great inspiration
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- A finely paneled ceiling
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- The furniture was quite plain in most of the rooms and of the period.
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- Another floor pattern
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- More faux bois
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- Hand painted – the decoration pre-dates wall paper.
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- There was a lot of inlay in the paneling, also.
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- A more decorative stove
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- These deep window seats indicate the thickness of the stone and brick walls.
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- Heavy iron hardware, with every room boasting different patterns
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- This is an amazing door handle with lock.
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- Another room with many portraits
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- Another great floor – good ideas for flooring at Home Depot!
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- Kevin at it again
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- This is an extremely deeply recessed window.
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- This was part of the fortification – canons, gunpowder storage, and artillery.
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- The vault for gunpowder lies beneath the wooden floor.
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- These stairs have withstood the footsteps of history.
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- Another parquet pattern
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- This candle sconce is hand-pounded brass.
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- One of the throne rooms with a mural of standing portraits
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- Each panel portrays the costume of the times.
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- A few of the rooms from the 19th century were more brightly decorated.
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- Gilded moldings outlined the walls, corners, and ceilings.
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- All the furniture was slip-covered.
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- Plaids and checked fabric are traditional in Swedish interior design.
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- Underneath is often much fancier silks or wool.
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- The servants’ beds were small and narrow.
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- A back staircase
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- Bed coverings, like this one, were meant to keep out drafts.
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- This is an unusual tiled stove.
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- I love these giant cupboards found in Swedish homes.
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- This was a common style of chair in Sweden during the18th-century.
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- A royal bedroom with brocaded hangings
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- This Japanese inlaid chest was meant to hold treasures.
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- Swedish crystal chandeliers are very popular in stately homes.
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- This light fixture is actuially made from papier mache.
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- Many of the queens and royal family wore ermine, a prized fur.
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- This portrait gallery was very interesting.
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- These galvanized tin fire screens were used during the summer months.
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