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Kalmar Castle
A fortress built by Magnus Ladulås
During the twelfth century a round defensive tower was built on Kalmarsund and a harbour constructed. At the end of the thirteenth century Magnus Ladulås had a new fortress built with a curtain wall, round corner towers and two square gatehouses surrounding the original tower. The gate tower "Kuretornet" was the most powerful tower of the stronghold.
From fortress to castle
Under Gustav Vasa and his sons Erik XIV and Johan III, the castle was transformed into a grand Renaissance palace. In 1545 new fortifications began to be built around the castle. 1553 saw the start of work on new royal residential quarters, headed initially by castle builder Jacob Richter, who was succeeded by the brothers Johan Baptista and Dominicus Pahr. During this period, magnificent interiors were added, including Kungssalen, Rutsalen and the new castle church.
Kalmar Castle suffered heavy damage during the Kalmar War of 1611-13 and was badly damaged by a fire in 1642. Repairs were begun but from the end of the seventeenth century the castle was allowed to fall into disrepair. During the eighteenth century it was used as a granary, a royal brewery and a prison. A windmill was installed on top of the Kuretornet tower at this time.
The castle is restored and takes on its present silhouette
In the nineteenth century the castle was in a state of disrepair and it was considered whether some of the historical interiors should be moved to another building, possibly Gripsholm Castle. Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander put a stop to this plan and instead initiated restoration work at Kalmar Castle. In 1856 he submitted his proposal for restoration of the royal apartments, completed five years later. He also proposed that attempts be made to "restore" the exterior but this was never carried out. Like his pupil Helgo Zettervall, and many contemporary architects,
Scholander was influenced by the French nineteenth century architect Viollet-le-Duc. It was Zettervall who continued restoring Kalmar Castle in the 1880s. The work was done in his spirit but architect Carl Möller drew up the plans and other documents. The work began in 1885 and by 1891 the castle had gained the silhouette it bears today.
Surrounded by water once more
In 1919 professor Martin Olsson was charged with the continuing restoration of earthworks, the moat, the bridge and the drawbridge. Work continued until 1941, when the castle was once more surrounded by water.
External link
Photo: Bengt Nordgren.
Kalmar Castle from the north-west.
Photo: Seppo Ekelund.
Kalmar Castle from the east, with the fortifications of Grimskär island in the background. Öland can be glimpsed at the top of the picture.
Photo: Seppo Ekelund.
Kalmar Castle from the south-west. Kvarnholmen and the bridge to Öland can be seen to the north of the castle.
Blå star=Kalmar Castle.
In brief
- Built: Originally 1100-1200. Rebuilt 1540-50, 1856-61, 1885-91 and 1919-41.
- Architects: From 1553 Jacob Richter, followed by the brothers Johan Baptista and Dominicus Pahr. 1856-61 Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander. 1885-91 Carl Möller. 1919-41 restoration headed by professor Martin Olsson.
- Address: Kungsgatan 1, Kalmar
- Manager: Anders Magnusson, National Property Board, Phone +46 455 30 03 92, e-mail anders. magnusson@sfv.se
- Specialist military building preservation: Kenneth von Kartaschew, National Property Board, Phone +46 18 56 48 04/+46 70 205 59 64, E-mail kenneth.von. kartaschew@sfv.se
How to find your way
- Eniros map (in Swedish)
