Page 142 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

140  SWEDEN AREA B Y AREA

i A Tour of Mälardalen’s Castles

There are more than 100 sturdy castles, opulent palaces
and ravishing country houses around Lake Mälaren. Often
strategically located near Iron Age and Viking settlements,
they highlight the significance of this extensive waterway.
Wik’s 15th-century castle and the Vasa kings’ solid,
16th-century fortress of Gripsholm show how long the
need for defences lasted. From the mid-17th century,
the grand palaces of Sweden’s Age of Greatness, such 5 Engsö
as Skokloster, predominated, as manifestations of their The medieval castle was reworked
owners’ wealth and power. Many have excellent museums. in French Rococo style in the 1740s.
It has many beautiful interiors from
6 Tidö various periods and a major art
Lord Chancellor Axel collection. The castle grounds are
Oxenstierna’s country house, a nature reserve full of wildlife.
built in 1642, is a fine
example of a Baroque manor. 4 Grönsöö
It is noted for its handsome The grand manor from the early 17th
state apartment and 43 inlaid century stands guard high above Lake
wooden doors. A museum Mälaren. It is still occupied by the von
displays 30,000 antique toys. Ehrenheim family, and its grounds
Sala represent 400 years of garden history.
Ludvika • Enköping

Västerås +
• Hallsta-
hammar

• Köping Strömsholm Engsö
Tidö
M Ä L A R E N
Grönsöö
Ä L A R E N
Sundbyholm +
Fiholm +
• Arboga Mälsåker + M
7 Strömsholm
Equestrianism dates from the 16th • Eskilstuna
century at Strömsholm, with its
beautiful pastureland and bridle
paths. The palace was built in the
1670s in Carolian Baroque style. Gripsholm
Key Mariefred •
+ Taxinge-Näsby
Suggested route
Other roads
Other castles open to the public

Tips for Drivers
This tour, taking in the ten
suggested palaces, involves
a trip of more than 500 km
(300 miles), lasting three days, 8 Gripsholm
despite the generally good Gustav Vasa’s brick Renaissance castle
roads. An option is to select (see p138), started in 1540, is a symbol
a group of palaces close to of Swedish independence. Visitors
each other. have access to 60 rooms from various
For more information, see periods, the highlight of which is 0 kilometres 15
www.malarslott.nu Gustav III’s theatre, and the National 0 miles 10
Portrait Gallery.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p285 and pp295–6

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