Residence of the Swedish royal family
CastleDrottningholm
Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace is an impressive historical structure located on Lovön Island in the municipality of Ekerö, west of Stockholm, Sweden. Since 1982, it has served as the official residence of the Swedish royal family and stands as a prominent example of Baroque palace architecture in Northern Europe.
History+
The origins of Drottningholm date back to 1580, when King John III commissioned a palace for his consort, Catherine Jagiellonica, naming it after her. In 1661, Hedwig Eleonora, widow of King Charles X Gustav, acquired the estate. Shortly after the acquisition, a fire completely destroyed the palace. Hedwig Eleonora then commissioned architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder to rebuild a Baroque palace. Following his death in 1681, his son Nicodemus Tessin the Younger oversaw the completion of the palace, including the palace church and the creation of a French-style Baroque garden. Later park extensions included an English landscape garden, laid out from 1777 under Gustav III. Queen Lovisa Ulrika added further buildings in the 1760s, among them the exotic Chinese Pavilion and the Drottningholm Theatre, known for its preserved stage machinery, which flourished under Gustav III.
Location+
Drottningholm Palace is situated on Lovön Island in Lake Mälaren, within the municipality of Ekerö in the Stockholm district, Sweden. It is located at an elevation of approximately 11 meters above sea level.
On site+
Today, Drottningholm Palace serves as the residence of the Swedish royal family. The ensemble, particularly the Chinese Pavilion and the Drottningholm Theatre, was the first Swedish cultural monument to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The theatre continues to be used for performances and houses a unique collection of stage sets.
Nearby+
- Åkeshov Palace (palace), approx. 3.0 km away
- Ulvsunda Palace (palace), approx. 4.9 km away
- Hässelby Palace (palace), approx. 5.2 km away
- Ekebyhov Palace (palace), approx. 6.0 km away
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Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 59.3218, 17.8870