Page 140 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

138  SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA

y Mariefred
Södermanland. * 4,000. £ g
n Rådhuset, 0159-297 90. 
_ Steam Day (1st Sat in Jun).
∑ mariefred.se
This town should ideally be
approached from the water to
get the best view of the splen-
did Gripsholms Slott. The first
fortress on this site was built in
the 1380s by the Lord High
Nyköpingshus, site of the fatal Nyköping Banquet in 1317 Chancellor, Bo Jonsson Grip, who
gave the castle its name. Work on
r Nyköping it is a good starting point for the the present building, initiated by
attractions in the area. Gustav Vasa, started in 1537, but
Södermanland. * 33,000. k £ @
n Rådhuset, Stora Torget, 0155-24 80 extensive alterations were made
00.  _ Nyköping Banquet (Jul). Environs by Gustav III in the late 18th
∑ nykoping.se On Lake Valdemaren, just east century. It was during this period
of the town, lies Stenhammar’s that the National Portrait Gallery
Södermanland’s county town beautiful castle, renowned as was set up. It now contains
is probably best known for the the residence of Prince Vilhelm 4,000 portraits, representing the
notorious Nyköping Banquet in the early 1900s. The castle is celebrities of the past 500 years.
in 1317. King Birger invited the now used by Carl XVI Gustav Gripsholms Slott has a
Dukes Erik and Valdemar to a and is not open to the public. number of well-preserved
banquet at which the disputes Northeast of Flen is the prime interiors from various periods,
between the brothers were minister’s summer residence, with highlights including
to be resolved. Instead, Birger Harpsund, where the Gustav III’s theatre and
had the dukes thrown into gardens are open the White Salon. The
Nyköpinghus’s dungeon, where to visitors. The old town of Mariefred,
they were left to die. The story is regimental town which grew up
retold in summer in a colourful of Malmköping in the shadow
pageant at the castle. A fire in has Malmahed, a of the castle,
1665 destroyed the original former military site, derives its
castle and only the tower now a museum name from
remains. In the adjoining county and nature centre. Volvo taxi (1950), a medieval
governor’s residence, the There are several Museispårvägen Carthusian monastery.
Sörmlands Museum contains a military museums, as An inn has stood on
lively mix of historical exhibitions. well as Museispårvägen, the site of the monastery since
A pleasant way to see the displaying veteran trams and the early 17th century.
sights in the summer is to take other public transport vehicles. The peaceful old streets
the Tuffis tourist train which Visitors can enjoy a short tram of Mariefred with their
departs from Stora Torget. On ride through the countryside. delightful wooden buildings
the coast north of the town, are a pleasure to stroll around.
Nynäs Slott nature reserve is E Museispårvägen Art enthusiasts should head
also worth a visit. Malmköping, 17 km (11 miles) north for Grafikens Hus on a hill
of Flen, road 55. Tel 0157-204 30. leading up to the former royal
E Sörmlands Museum Open late May–end Jun: weekends farm, where stables and hay-
Nyköpingshus. Tel 0155-24 57 00. only; end Jun–Aug: daily (call for lofts have been converted
Open Jun–Aug: daily; other times: opening hours). & into attractive galleries.
10am–4pm Sun. 8 =

t Flen
Södermanland. * 7,000. £ @
n Södra Järnvägsgatan 2, 0157-43 09
96; Malmköping (summer) 0157-202
04. ( Malma Market (last Sat & Sun
in Jul).
One of the youngest towns in
Sweden, Flen only gained its
town charter in 1949. Although
the town itself has little to offer, Mariefred Town Hall (1784), site of the town’s tourist office
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p285 and pp295–6

138-139_EW_Sweden.indd 138 11/07/16 11:49 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm