Gripsholm Castle, Renaissance castle in Mariefred, Sweden
Gripsholm is a castle rising on the shore of Lake Mälaren with four round towers marking its corners and contains numerous furnished state apartments spanning different periods. The structure combines various architectural elements and houses several specialized exhibition areas within.
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 museum displays an unusually taxidermied lion from the 18th century with unrealistic features because the taxidermist had never seen a real lion. This specimen stands as a reminder of historical taxidermy created without access to scientific resources.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
