Stegeholm, Medieval castle ruin on Slottsholmen, Sweden
Stegeholm is a castle ruin located on Slottsholmen at the entrance to Gamlebyviken bay, with stone remains that span different periods of use and modification. The structure sits directly on the waterfront, offering views across the bay and surrounding landscape.
A ducal ruler built this fortress around 1370 to protect the waterway leading to the early settlement of Västervik. The structure was modified several times over the centuries before eventually being abandoned.
The ruins serve as a venue for the annual Västervik Song Festival, which has drawn visitors to this location every year since 1966.
The ruins are accessible by following Slottsholmsvägen road, with parking available near the waterfront. You can walk freely through the area and explore the site at your own pace throughout the day.
In the 1700s, local residents received permission to quarry stones from the ruins for their own use. Parts of the remaining walls were later repurposed by a nearby shipyard for industrial construction.
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