Borgholm Castle

Castle overlooking Kalmarsund

Borgholm Castle on the island of Öland rises high on a plateau overlooking Kalmarsund and Borgholm harbour. The now magnificent ruin was once a Baroque palace. The royal fortress in Borgholm was one of Sweden's most important defences, which throughout the Middle Ages and up until the seventeenth century repeatedly suffered battles and sieges, destruction and rebuilding work. The fortress has been held by Swedes, Danes and Germans and has seen kings hold court in its halls.

Roots in the twelfth century

The original tower was built in the twelfth century within a strong curtain wall. During the Middle Ages the fortress was extended in several stages. In 1572-92 King Johan III appointed architect Dominicus Pahr to transform the old fort into a Renaissance castle. The new castle was square in shape with round corner towers and a square tower on each side wall. The western side, with its protected situation facing the slope, was furnished with grand state apartments with large windows on both floors.

During the Kalmar War 1611-1613 the castle was completely destroyed and the Swedish crown prince, the future King Karl X Gustaf, commissioned the leading architect of the period, Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, to rebuild the castle as an austere and uniform Baroque-classical palace. Karl X Gustaf is the only king of Sweden to have spent any great length of time living at the castle.

From grand Baroque palace to magnificent ruin

The plans for the palace were only partly realised. During Karl XI's reign the construction work gradually slowed down before ceasing for good in 1709, in the middle of Karl XII's Russian campaign. The only remaining inhabitants were a guard detail, but services were regularly held in the castle church until 1772.

The castle fell into disrepair and in 1803 a clothing factory and a dyeworks were set up in the north wing. It was in this building that a disastrous fire broke out on 14 October 1806, turning the castle into the ruin we see today.

Popular tourist destination

Today Borgholm Castle is a historical, and cultural, tourist destination which attracts visitors with concerts, a variety of exhibitions, living history and a wide range of other events.