Vadstena Castle
Vadstena Castle | |
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General information | |
Architectural style | Renaissance |
Town or city | Vadstena |
Country | Sweden |
Construction started | 1545 |
Completed | 1620 |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Arendt de Roy, Hans Fleming |
Vadstena Castle (Swedish: Vadstena slott) is a former Royal Castle in Vadstena, the province of Östergötland,Sweden.
History
Vadstena Castle was originally built by
On August 22, 1552, King Gustav I married his third wife, Catherine Stenbock, in Vadstena. One of the castle banqueting halls is called The Wedding Hall (Swedish: Bröllopssalen), although its construction wasn't finished in time for the wedding.
The reconstruction from fortress into a habitable
By 1620, when the castle was completed, all the kings of the House of Vasa had contributed to its construction. Since 1620, the castle has been very well preserved, and is one of Sweden's best examples of Renaissance architecture.
Vadstena Castle was a royal palace until 1716, when the royal family lost interest in it; after which it became a storage barn for grain.
Today
Since 1899, the castle has housed the Provincial Archives and today visitors can also find a Castle Museum with 16th and 17th century furniture, portraits and paintings. The castle is also the seat of the International Vadstena Academy, Sweden's smallest opera house, commissioning new operas and reviving lost operas from archival scores.[1] During summers the courtyard plays host to many concerts; both classical and pop music.
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The chapel is situated in the main tower.
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Winter view from north-east.
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Summer view from south-west.
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Circular turrets by the moat.
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The basement with a 17th-century cannon.
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Main gate
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Bridge leading to the main gate
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Tower
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Suspension bridge
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Gun on the fortress wall