Tidö Castle

Tidö is a Baroque castle in Västmanland featuring a rectangular layout with a main building to the north and three connected wings. The structure follows Dutch Renaissance style, with rooms on multiple levels showing different interior arrangements and finishes.

An original medieval fortress built by the Gren family in the 15th century was replaced between 1625 and 1645 by Lord High Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna. The new structure was constructed to reflect the family's growing power and wealth.

The castle housed Sweden's first toy museum from 1974 to 2017, displaying thousands of objects from different periods and eras. The collection included personal items from the royal family and made the place a special destination for visitors of all ages.

The castle sits about 17 kilometers south of Västerås and welcomes visitors to explore its various rooms and historical furnishings. Guided tours take you through spaces that show different periods starting from the 17th century.

The name Tidö comes from 'tidigt' (early) and 'ö' (island), since the original structure sat on an island due to Lake Mälaren's higher water levels in earlier times. This geographical feature shaped the location and character of the place for centuries.

GPS coordinates: 59.50559,16.47787

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42