- Address: 1, Hammenhög, 276 56 Glimminge, Sweden
- Phone: +46 72 702 59 90
- Website: raa.se
Each European state can boast of its masterpieces of architecture - medieval castles . A modern civilized approach to the preservation of its heritage is the guarantee of longevity for each building. Such monumental buildings are found more often in the Nordic countries, for example, in Sweden . And the "rat" castle of Glimminghuis confirms this.
More about the castle
The castle of Glimminghus is considered to be a classical object of the architecture of the Middle Ages. The monumental building appeared on the orders of the famous Danish knight Jens Ulfstande. Its construction lasted 6 years, from 1499 to 1505 years. During construction, local quartzite and sandstone were used, and stones and marble were imported from Holland.
When the castle was erected, a real central heating was carried out: air ducts walled up from the huge fireplaces upwards. A moat was dug around the whole territory, the walls of which were also fortified with stones. Through the moat, the drawbridge lowered. In the castle of Glimminghuis, many traps for enemies and defenses were created. For example, holes in the outer wall, through which you can water the enemy with boiling water or tar.
The first reconstruction of the building was carried out as early as 1640, when more modern buildings are attached to it. Among them is the southern wing, in which the museum of the castle of Glimminghus is located today. Subsequently, the owners of the monument of architecture repeatedly changed, until in 1924 Glimmingechus did not become the property of the government of the country.
The large-scale excavations carried out at the castle walls in 1937 showed that wealthy people really lived there. The fragments of expensive ceramics and Venetian glass, stunning stained-glass windows and weapons were found. Remains of the bridge are also preserved in the thickness of the ground.
What is interesting about the castle of Glimminghus?
The dimensions of the castle can not but impress: 30 m in length, 12 in width, four floors of the building in height to the pediment of the roof - 26 m. The thickness of the walls is about 2 m. All doors, windows and corner panels are chased.
On the first floor of the castle there were a brewery, a kitchen, a bakery and a wine cellar. Each floor was equipped with hygiene rooms, embedded in the outer thick walls. The rooms of the earl of Jens Ulfstand were located at the top, and the floors beneath it were carefully arranged with powerful arches to prevent the spread of fire. Rifle artillery was placed under the roof.
The benches of the banquet hall, in which numerous public gatherings were held repeatedly, were built into the niches near the windows and decorated with beautiful carvings. The chapel of the castle of Glimminghus is decorated with the image of the Virgin Mary, which is made of limestone. In the same technique in the castle there is an engraving of the owner of the castle - the knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand. In addition to everything inside, the castle is decorated with sculptures by the famous German master Adam van Duren.
The castle of Glimminghus is perfectly preserved to the present day and is one of the ten best monuments of medieval Europe. He became a participant of the most real fairy tale: according to her plot, Lagerlief Nils brought out an entire "army" of gray rats to the melody of the pipe.
How to get to the castle?
Glimminghus Castle is built in the south of Sweden in the province of Skane, near Simrishamn: 10 km from its south-west side. The castle is a landmark of the area, it can be seen for miles around. You can independently reach it by coordinates: 55.501212, 14.230969 or use the shuttle bus number 576. From the stop you will have to walk for about 10 minutes.
Today in the castle building there is a restaurant, a coffee shop and a medieval store. Legends and stories about the ghosts in the walls of Glimminghuis attract many tourists here. The museum is open in the summer months daily from 10:00 to 18:00, in May and September from 10:00 to 16:00, and in April and October only on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00. The ticket costs € 8, children under 18 years old - free of charge.