Page 153 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

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monastery, the Younger (see p39) and was
Monasterium Pacis designed a decade before he
Mariae. It received started on Stockholm’s Royal
its charter as a Palace. The roof is that of a
town in 1605, and traditional Swedish manor house
an inn has stood of the time, but other wise the
on the site of the design is influenced by Tessin’s
monastery since studies, mainly in Italy and
the early 17th France. The result is an Italianate
century. The palace in a rural Swedish setting,
elegantly restored which Carl Gyllenstierna gave to
and rebuilt his wife Anna Soop as a wedding
restaurant is an gift in 1706. Since then Steninge
attraction in itself. has had several owners, the best
Visitors to known of whom was Count Axel
Mariefred can von Fersen, reputed to have
stroll through the been the lover of the French
town and admire Duke Karl’s bedchamber, Gripsholms Slott Queen Marie Antoinette (1755–
the 17th-century 93). The park, planned by the
church and the 18th-century classic “steamboat beef” is on landscape architect Johan
Rådhus (law courts’ building), offer along the way. For the Hårleman, has a monument of
which also houses the local return journey, a vintage steam Count von Fersen.
Tourist Information Office. railway runs from Mariefred to In 1999 the estate was
There are a number of specialist Läggesta (a 40-minute journey) transformed into a cultural
shops, galleries and an excellent from where it is possible to centre. The biggest attraction is
antiques shop. catch an express train back to the elegant Baroque palace. The
The vintage railway attracts Stockholm (30 minutes). staircase has similarities to its
visitors of all ages. Those counterpart at the Royal Palace
interested in art should head (see p50) and elsewhere there are
for Grafikens Hus (House of 4 Steninge Slott details, which can also be seen in
Graphics) on a hill leading 40 km (25 miles) N of Stockholm. Tessinska Palatset (see p54). The
up to the former royal farm, Tel 08-592 595 00. g summer from oval hall is a masterpiece of
where stables and haylofts Stadshusbron to Rosersberg and Swedish Baroque, decorated by
have been converted into connecting bus. Slottsgalleria: Open the Italian stucco artist Giuseppe
an exhibition area. 11am–6pm Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm Marchi. It regained its original
The excursion can be made Sat & Sun. Palace: Open 11am–2pm splendour as part of restoration
into a varied round trip. From Sat, 11am–3pm Sun; Jun–Aug: 11am– work in the early 20th century,
Stockholm to Mariefred one 4pm daily. 8 call for tour information. planned by the architect
can travel on Sweden’s oldest = - ∑ steningeslott.com G Clason. At the same time Julius
steamboat service, dating from Kronberg contributed paintings
1832. The steamboat Marie fred, South-east of Sigtuna, Sweden’s on the door lintels and ceilings.
which has operated on the oldest town, and only 10 A 19th-century stone barn
route since 1903, travels at 6–7 minutes from Arlanda Airport is houses the Slottsgalleria
knots and the journey takes Steninge Slott, one of the gems with glassworks, pottery,
about three and a half hours. of Lake Mälaren. The palace ranks candle-making, and a shop
Beautiful scenery and a lunch of among the finest works of Tessin and restaurant.

Steninge Palace, one of the most perfect examples of late 17th-century manor house design

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