Gripsholm Castle, Renaissance castle in Mariefred, Sweden
Gripsholm Castle is a red-brick building with a dark tiled roof and three green copper domes topped with spires, standing by Lake Mälaren. Its leftmost section is a rounded brick tower, and the central facade has rows of white-framed windows and a curved white band. A moat with a drawbridge separates the castle from the mainland.
King Gustav I Vasa began construction of this castle in 1537 on the site of an earlier fortress from the 14th century. The location was later expanded and transformed, losing its military purpose to serve instead as a residence and center for art collection.
The Swedish National Portrait Gallery displays paintings of notable figures from the 16th century onward across multiple rooms within the castle. Visitors encounter these works while moving through the different sections of the structure.
Visitors can access the castle through guided tours departing from the main entrance, gaining entry to the theater, portrait gallery, and state apartments. Most visitors need one to two hours to explore the main areas.
The castle's stuffed lion, known as Leo, has been shown to visitors since the 18th century. Its odd appearance is often explained by the taxidermist having never seen a real lion, though the sources only record its long display.
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