Stockholm Palace – The World’s Largest Royal Castle Still In Use
The Swedish royal family, owner of the Stockholm palace, has no cause to complain about lack of space. The building at Slottsbacken has no less than 608 rooms. The Stockholm palace in the old town centre Gamla Stan is impossible to overlook. From its slope at the eastern waterside the huge, light brown building almost radiates power and self-confidence. It’s not the first royal palace at this spot. In 1697 the original Tre Kronor fortress burnt down. Ruins of this fortress are still present. You can see them in the Tre Kronor museum. Court architect Nicodemis Tessin the Younger got the assignment to build a new castle, or Kungliga Slottet in Swedish. He did a great job. The right-angled building, finished in 1754, is beautiful in its simplicity. The interior is in Baroque and Rococo style. Artists from all over Europe decorated most of the 608 rooms. Even the stairs of marble and porfyr are worth to see. You can visit the Stockholm palace. Do it if you have the time and opportunity.One of the most famous objects is Queen Kristina’s silver throne in the Hall of State. In the Treasury you will see jewels, sceptres and crowns. Costumes, carriages and weapons are shown in the Armoury. The Museum of Antiquities displays sculptures and other treasures collected by Gustav III.
The Changing of the Guard is another tourist attraction. In summer this colorful ceremony takes place every day at noon in the outer courtyard at the back. The rest of the year it’s only on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Find out more about the royal castle and watch a video about the palace and the change of the guards.
You won’t stand in the way of the Swedish royal family. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia live
the second Stockholm palace Drottningholm.
They only use the castle at Slottsbacken to work and for official meetings.
Home Page of Stockholm Sweden Travel Guide
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