- Address: 178 02 Drottningholm, Sweden
- Phone: +46 8 402 62 80
- Opening hours: 10:00 - 16:30
The permanent residence of the Swedish royal family is the castle Drottningholm or Drottningholm. It is located in the vicinity of Stockholm in the middle of the picturesque Lake Mälaren on the island of Louvain.
general information
Currently, the monarchs in the palace do not live, so every tourist can visit the tourist attraction. Drottningholm is translated as "Queen's Island", and the castle itself is called a mini-Versailles. In 1991 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
At the beginning of the XVI century, King Johan the Third built a residence on the island of Louvain for his wife Katerina. A few years later the palace burnt down, and in its place began to build a new castle, which has come down to our days. The main architect was Nicodemus Tessin. Drottningholm is built in the early Baroque style. He did not have strong walls and towers, and in his likeness, later designed buildings in St. Petersburg. The last and most extensive restoration was carried out here in 1907.
Description of Drottningholm Castle
On the territory of the royal residence Drottningholm there are such historical buildings:
- The church was built by Tessin Jr. in 1746. Here, until now, once a month on Sundays, divine services are held. Inside the temple there is a tapestry woven by Gustav Fifth himself, and there is an organ made in 1730.
- The Opera House is the pearl of the Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm. It was built in 1766. Here, till now, ancient Italian machinery and machines have been preserved, with which thunder was heard on the stage, furniture moved, water poured and even God descended "from heaven". Since 1953, the theater hosts an international festival dedicated to authentic productions.
- Chinese village - on the territory of Drottningholm in Sweden are located the cottages of the Celestial Empire. These are important monuments of architecture called chinoiseries. The pavilion was built in 1769, and in 1966 there was a thorough restoration.
- Gardens - the palace of Drottningholm in Sweden has preserved to this day a park built in the Baroque style. Here, tourists will be able to see a variety of bronze antique statues, which was created by the Dutch sculptor Adrian de Vries. Monuments were brought to the castle as military trophies from the palaces of Prague and Denmark. The garden consists of 2 ponds with bridges and canals, and also has large lawns.
- Fountain Hercules - it is located in the central part of the palace complex and is surrounded by Italian sculptures, benches and trees.
While in the castle, pay attention to the monumental staircase, the gallery of Charles the Eleventh, the green salon of Lovisa Ulrika, equipped with a Rococo interior, the Princess Gedvig Eleonora's parade restorant, Eleonora Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp. Do not forget to take a photo in the palace Drottningholm, because the architecture of the complex is a real work of art.
Features of visit
Visit the castle can be every day from May to September, and in the winter - only on weekends. The Royal Residence is open from 10:00 until 16:30. Excursions are conducted in English and Swedish. Admission fees for adults are $ 14 or $ 20, if you want to see a Chinese village. Students will pay about $ 7, and for children visit is free.
How can I get to Drottningholm?
You can get to the palace as part of an organized excursion or by boat, which leaves from the town hall every hour. The road to the castle will be pleasant and fascinating.