Gripsholm Castle

The origins of Gripsholm date back to 1380, when a castle was built on this site. The Swedish Privy Councillor Bo Jonsson Grip purchased the Näsby estate in 1379 and had a strategically located castle built there, which was first documented in 1381. After Jonsson's death, the castle came into the possession of Danish Queen Margarethe I and was later pledged to Count Hans von Ewersten. In 1434, the castle was set on fire by a bailiff during the Engelbrekt Rebellion, but the wooden structures were restored. Sten Sture the Elder acquired the castle in 1472, expanded and fortified it, before gifting it in 1498 to the Marienfred monastery he had founded. With the Reformation, Gustav I Vasa confiscated the monastery's properties in 1525 and began construction of the current Gripsholm Castle in 1537, which he had expanded into his permanent residence and a fortress. The four mighty towers with walls up to four meters thick date from this period. After Gustav Vasa's death, construction continued under Erik XIV. The castle also served as a prison, where Erik XIV imprisoned his brother John III, and later John III imprisoned his deposed brother Erik. Under Charles IX, the Hall of State and other castle buildings were redesigned in the late 16th century. In the 18th century, further alterations were made under Gustav III, including the construction of a theater. Extensive restorations took place in the 1890s under Fredrik Lilljekvist, though not all planned changes could be implemented due to strong protests.

Gripsholm Castle is located in Mariefred, in the municipality of Strängnäs, in the Södermanland region, Sweden. It stands at an elevation of approximately 16 meters above sea level.

The castle is now open to visitors and houses the National Portrait Gallery, one of the largest of its kind with over 2000 paintings.

• Taxinge Castle (Castle), approx. 5.3 km away
• Heby Castle (Castle), approx. 13.1 km away
• Mälsåker Castle (Castle), approx. 15.1 km away
• Tynnelsö Castle (Castle), approx. 18.7 km away