Svartsjö Palace

Svartsjö Castle is a castle in the Swedish Svartsjö place on the island in Lake Mälaren Färingsö.

Earlier Structures

Over the years, were in Svartsjö various royal buildings. In the Middle Ages, the dukes Erik Magnusson and Magnusson had Valdermar of Södermanland a residence in the town. Later Gustav I Vasa was a Renaissance castle with a round central part build that. By his sons Eric XIV and John III has been extended. 1580 was the construction completed, but already in 1687 burned down the castle. The building material was brought to Stockholm and used to expand the castle Tre Kronor. Today, only remnants of Gustav Vasa's castle in Svartsjö available.

The existing palace

Today's middle part of the ceremonial building was built in 1734-1739 by order of King Friedrich as a hunting lodge for Queen Ulrika Eleanora, designed by architect Carl Hårleman. First Swedish rococo castle on the French model, it was formative for the manor house architecture in the country in the later 18th century. Noteworthy is the great hall of the castle, which was built as an octagonal space over two floors.

When Queen Luise Ulrike in the 1770s the castle made ​​it her widow's residence, the building was extended with two attachments to the ends. In addition to the castle with a lantern clock was placed. Responsible architect was Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz.

Use as a prison

After Luise Ulrike's death in 1782 the building fell into disrepair over the next hundred years. Since nearby lay a granite quarry, the building was remodeled in 1891 for accommodation of forced labor and alcoholics. It was examined whether the prisoners in agriculture can be used and since the first attempts had excellent results, employment in the quarry in 1910 has been set. With the beginning of the admission of felons a closed department was created in Svartsjö. Overall, there were 337 cells, which were provided with metal plates and bars. In 1966 the prison was closed down and the demarcation wall and larger farm buildings demolished. Today, still exists, besides the actual castle, the residence of the prison director in the castle park and about 20 staff apartments in the area.

Restoration and present

After another period of decline was Svartsjö castle from 1994 to 2003 under the direction of the architectural firm Tallius Myhrman restored for 36 million crowns at state expense. The facade was given its bright yellow paint, the Carl Hårleman had chosen to feign French sandstone. The windows were given a yellow-brown oak color. Since there was evidence of the presence of original wallpaper, twelve rooms have been decorated in the middle part with typical wallpapers from the time of the lock. This emerged after templates from the near Drottningholm Palace. During the restoration of the "dark period " of the building was not trying to hide, on the contrary, there were, for example, in a space prison cells reconstructed.

The castle is now run by the state property management and open to the public. There is a cafe and in the summer a Baroque Festival.

Gallery

One of the ballrooms.

" Christine Linde" ( Kristina lind ) was planted in the castle park under Gustav II Adolf, but it is unclear whether he has in his mother or his daughter honored.

This statue is under the aforementioned Linde and shows Gustav II Adolf together with Axel Oxenstierna.