Gripsholm Castle, Sweden

The Gripsholm Castle is a 16th century castle located by the lake Mälaren near the town of Mariefred about 60 kilometres from Stockholm, Sweden. The castle was built by King Gustav I of Sweden in 1537 on a site of an earlier fortress which was demolished. Until 1713 the castle served as the royal residence and was afterwards for a brief period used as a prison.



In 1773 it was renovated by King Gustav III who also added an exquisite castle theatre which today represents one of the best preserved 18th century theatres. In the 19th century the Gripsholm Castle began to be regarded as a national monument and at the end of the 19th century went through extensive and controversial restoration by the architect Fredrik Lilljekvist. Today is the Gripsholm Castle opened to the public and is particularly famous for housing the Swedish National Collection of Portraits.