Sculpture Park of Drottningholm Palace, Sculpture collection in Royal Domain of Drottningholm, Sweden.
The Sculpture Park of Drottningholm Palace is Sweden's oldest sculpture park, with 46 free-standing sculptures. In the Baroque garden, over twenty bronze sculptures by Adriaen de Vries dominate, most of which previously stood in the Wallenstein Garden in Prague. The Hercules Fountain, conceived by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, is central to the pleasure garden, while Neptune with his trident stands on a tall column on the water parterre.
The park was created in the 1670s by the Swedish royals as part of the palace grounds. It emerged as an expression of Baroque style and royal power during that era.
The bronze figures by Adriaen de Vries were war booty: most stood in Prague's Wallenstein Garden until Swedish troops took them in July 1648, while the marble lions possibly came from Frederiksborg Castle in 1659. Since 1981 some bronze statues stand inside the palace's protected zone and cannot be viewed up close; fourteen originals are shown in Museum de Vries on Drottningholmsmalmen.
The park is best visited from April through October, when all pathways are accessible and vegetation appears well-maintained. Comfortable shoes are important, as there is much to explore and paths can be long.
The bronze statues by Adriaen de Vries are now cast copies; fourteen originals are kept in Museum de Vries on Drottningholmsmalmen. The Hercules Fountain was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Since 1981 some bronze statues stand inside the palace's protected zone and cannot be viewed up close by the public.
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