Castles to visit Sweden

Malmö Castle is the heir of a first building founded by Erik of Pomerania in 1430 before being rebuilt a century later and occupied by the mint. After the return of Skåne to Sweden, the defenses were strengthened and a moat system dug. After the return of peace with Denmark, the building was converted into a prison and then into a museum in 1937. Of the castle itself remains, beyond the wooden bridge over the moat, a massive facade framed by two round towers, all built of brick.

In the courtyard, a modern building (also without lightness) houses four sections of the Malmö Museums (Malmö Museer). The restaurant Wega is located on Slottsholmen, right next to the main entrance of the Malmö Museums.

The Governor's House and the House of Technology and the Navy are located outside the castle. Between the museum and Kommendanthuset, there are some brightly painted wooden huts: this is the Fiskehoddorna, which serves as a fish market every morning.

Kontsmuseet (Museum of Fine Arts). Beautiful collection of Swedish landscape artists such as Carl Fredrik Hill (1849-1911). There are also contemporary works, notably by the sculptor Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd (born in 1934) and the Malmö-born surrealist painter Max Walter Svanberg (1912-1995). One room is devoted to a sketch made by the Dane Joakim Skovgaard for the mosaic of the cathedral in Lund. Beautiful collection of Russian paintings from the late ^19th century and representative works of Swedish design.

Historical museum. Documents, plans and objects tracing the history of Malmö Castle and focusing on life in Skåne in the ^17th century, when it became part of Sweden.

Aquarium & Tropicarium. Local fish and amphibians, but also (more exotic) gymnotes, better known as electric eels, and other piranhas.

Museum of natural history. Flora and fauna of Skåne, geology and paleontology with notably a dinosaur skeleton.

Kommendanthuset (the Governor's house). An ^{eighteenth-century} mansion that now houses exhibitions on photography. Right next to the Governor's house is a very nice little café serving organic and locally grown products (sandwiches, pies, salads, ice cream and homemade pastries).

Tekniken och Sjöfartens Hus (House of Technology and the Navy).

Surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lake Mälaren and located not far from the Parc aux biches nature reserve, Gripsholm Castle captivates visitors with its picturesque location. This architectural gem was built in the ^14th century during the reign of King Gustav Vasa, offering a fascinating immersion in Swedish history. Art and history enthusiasts will be delighted by the wealth of exhibits, highlighting the castle's evolution through the centuries. Not-to-be-missed rooms include Duke Karl's bedroom and Gustav III's theater.

Built in the Middle Ages, Troll-Ljungby was restored in the th and th centuries and in the middle of the th century. In the courtyard are exposed to the horn and pipe of Ljungby. These objects play a crucial role in the mythology of the castle. History dates back to the th century. A household was ordered to go to see what the elves were preparing for the Christmas party. The elves gave him a pipe and a horn, and he was forced to smoke and drink their health. But a young girl, held hostage by the elves, shouted to leave. The young employee managed to escape with the two gifts. To revenge, the elves held a curse: the castle had to burn three times and change ownership. The castle was indeed burned three times, and the noble Ulfstrand gave way to another noble family, Troll-Wachtmeister.

Built in 1499 and has not undergone any reshuffle since then, Glimmingehus is a veritable medieval castle open to the public. Small openings crossing the walls of 2,50 m thick still point to cannons. In 1676, during the war between Denmark and Sweden, the King of Sweden gave the order to demolish the castle, fearing that he fell into the hands of the Danes. But, while the men were there, the Danish fleet landed in the port of Ystad and the Swedes had to escape. Glimmingehus, who later changed ownership, is now owned by the Swedish state. Not to miss in August, the medieval festival gathering knights and minstrels at the time around a game.

This castle, built in 1640 in the Christian II style, King of Denmark, has been the subject of many covetous. Unfortunately, the interior cannot be visited, but the fortifications surrounding a canal crossed by many bridges are remarkable.

This Renaissance castle, built in 1530 by a noble named Sparre, serves as a museum and restaurant. The huge red brick building is reflected in the lake beneath it. During the Danish period, the castle was a very appreciated residence of Danish nobles. Its most famous owner was the Swedish Rutger Macklean (1742-1816), which was changing peasant life by imposing land regrouping (villages break-up, redistribution of land), thus making Skåne the richest region in the Swedish Kingdom. The four floors of the castle reconstruct the lives of nobles at various times: exhibitions of tapestries, clothing, arms, textiles, toys and coins. The castle park is wild and cultivated with its lake, beech wood and green lawns. The restaurant, traditional regional cuisine, offers a typical but very expensive menu.

Built, in 1559, belonged to only two families: The Thott for 300 years and today at Troll. Does it not look like a fairy tale? It is said that every night the ghost of the places agite its chains…

10 km southwest of Simrishamn, Glimmingehus is a medieval castle made of large gray stones with narrow dormer windows. Its roof is cut in the shape of a staircase. On certain summer evenings, sheltered by 2.5 meter thick walls, one can attend historical shows and concerts in a medieval atmosphere. The place has the reputation of being frequented by ghosts... If you cannot go there, it is always possible to visit the place in 3D, an advantage of which the creators are not little proud!

The castle, which was ordered built by Gustav Vasa in 1549, is today the residence of the governor and the seat of the regional administration. The Rikssalen, or State Hall, where Queen Christine renounced the crown, is worth a visit. It was also here that Erik XIV, in a fit of madness, had influential nobles executed in 1567 (history remembers this event as the "Sture murder"). The castle also houses several museums, including the Uppsala Museum of Fine Arts (Uppsala konstmuseum).