Västerås Castle, Medieval royal castle in Västerås, Sweden

Västerås Castle stands by the mouth of the Svartån, its oldest part a four-storey medieval keep with a shooting floor at the top, preserved in the north-east corner. Gustav Vasa's 1540–1544 rebuilding added a new royal floor above the old one in the east wing and raised the west wing, creating the present main entrance.

Gustav Vasa rebuilt the fortress between 1540 and 1544, transforming the medieval structure into a reinforced royal residence for the Swedish Crown. This reconstruction marked the shift from a medieval stronghold to a modern Renaissance-era royal seat.

The castle has housed the collections of the Västmanland Antiquarian Society since 1889. The county museum was based here from 1965 until 2010, when it moved to Karlsgatan 2. Today part of the building is rented by Mälardalen University for chamber music.

The castle grounds are accessible daily, though guided interior tours operate on set schedules and require advance booking. It is best to check current opening hours and tour availability before your visit.

King Erik XIV was imprisoned in a dark prison cell from 1573 to 1574, separated from his wife Karin Månsdotter. His confinement marked a dramatic moment in Swedish royal history before his transfer to another fortress.