Eskilstuna House, Royal palace site in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
Eskilstuna House was a royal palace in Eskilstuna, Sweden, built as a two-story structure approximately 80 meters square (260 feet) around a square courtyard. Its south façade had two towers with domed roofs. The Renaissance palace was constructed after 1585 under Duke Charles and completed by his son Prince Charles Philip in the early 17th century.
This palace originated from a medieval monastery built by the Hospitallers and was converted into a royal residence after the Swedish Reformation in 1527. This transformation marked a turning point when church control ended and the crown took over the site.
This palace witnessed major events in Swedish history, including the birth of Duke John's daughter Anna and a rebellion against King Erik XIV in 1568. These moments show how the site was connected to royal family life and the political struggles of that era.
The building no longer stands today, but foundation marks are still visible on the site, which now hosts a school and cemetery. Visitors can see these remains to understand where this historic residence once stood.
The 1680 fire spared the basements, which were then used as a prison; Anna Eriksdotter, the last person in Sweden executed for witchcraft, was held there in 1704. In 1737 farmers received permission to take 35,000 bricks from the ruin to build the tower of Husby-Rekarne Church.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,993 contributors worldwide.