Gräfsnäs castle, Stone castle ruins in Alingsås Municipality, Sweden
Gräfsnäs Castle is a ruin standing on a hilltop overlooking Lake Anten in Västergötland. The remaining stone walls reveal the original three-story design with two towers, though the structures are now partially collapsed and surrounded by vegetation.
Construction began in 1550, establishing one of Västergötland's largest castle complexes of its era. Fires in 1634 and 1834 gradually destroyed much of the structure, leaving behind the stone remains visible today.
The castle grounds serve as a gathering place where locals and visitors experience regional heritage through seasonal events. The surrounding English-style park reflects how the site has been reimagined as a cultural destination in modern times.
The ruins are accessible by car, bus from Alingsås, or the vintage Anten-Gräfsnäs museum railway for a scenic journey. Parking is available at Wasaallén, and the grounds remain open year-round for exploration.
Local folklore preserves a legend about a worker's curse predicting the castle would burn multiple times and never remain with a single family. The actual fires in 1634 and 1834 seemed to confirm this dark prophecy in the minds of local people.
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