The Swedish Royal Family owns over a dozen palaces and residences throughout the country, from the Royal Palace in Stockholm that serves as the family’s official residence to the private residence of the country’s King and Queen, Drottningholm Palace. Here’s an exploration of royal residences: The rich history behind Sweden’s regal structures.
Each residence boasts a long and rich history in addition to striking architectural details that have stood the test of time. Whether you wish to travel to Sweden to see one of the royal residences for yourself or you’re simply interested in the rich history behind the marvelous structures, there is no shortage of prominent royal structures worth an exploration.
Haga Palace
Constructed in 1802, Haga Palace is located in the Haga Park, Solna Municipality, just north of Stockholm. Constructed between the years 1802 and 1805, the residence has served as the official residence of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her family. Unofficial Royalty details the history behind the unique royal residence, which boasts 1,500 square meters of living space. The palace itself was designed to include separate apartments for the King’s children, though it has seen many residents in its time. For example, it’s noted that in the 1820s, the palace served as the summer home of Crown Prince Oscar as well as Princess Josephine of Leuchtenberg. In the 1860s, the home was renovated for Prince August and Princess Therese of Saxe-Altenburg, who remained there until her death in 1914, highlights Unofficial Royalty.
An Exploration of Royal Residences: The Rich History Behind Sweden’s Regal Structures, article continues below the image.
The Daily Express further details the palace’s origins, noting that it was not initially intended as an official building, but a residence for the King’s children. In fact, it’s noted that the palace was originally called ‘Barns Palais,’ which translates to ‘the children’s palace.’ Although the primary purpose of the structure was to serve as a residence, the Daily Express points out that it was used to house homeless orphans after the First World War. It’s also noted that the palace itself appears much differently than it did in the past due to a 1932 refurbishment. The refurbishment included the installation of modern fixtures, such as fireplaces, bathrooms, and a kitchen remodel, though the building retains its original charm.
Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace is located on the island of Lovӧn in Ekerӧ, with the Royal House of Bernadotte having made use of the residence since the era of King Oscar Ⅰ (1799-1859). According to the Swedish Royal Court, the current Royal Family moved from the Royal Palace in Stockholm to Drottningholm in 1981. Drottningholm has served as the King and Queen’s private residence ever since, and it’s not difficult to see why. The stunning palace is described by the Swedish Royal Court as “an excellent example of an authentic palace environment from the 17th and 18th centuries,” as it has been well preserved, so much so that it was officially designated as a World Heritage Site in 1991 by UNESCO. In addition to the parks and gardens that surround the palace, the grounds also feature a building known as The Chinese Pavilion, which adds to the property’s historic charm and architectural wonder. To be particular, the pavilion showcases a European Rococo style, though it combined with Chinese-inspired elements for a truly unique appearance.
An Exploration of Royal Residences: The Rich History Behind Sweden’s Regal Structures, article continues below the image.
Drottningholm boasts a long and colorful history — the original palace was constructed in the late 16th century by King Johan Ⅲ for his wife, with the name translating to ‘Queen’s Island.’ Unfortunately, the original structure burned down in 1661, and the palace foundation that stands today was constructed in 1662. According to History Hit, the palace was renovated in the image of Versailles by Crown Princess Louisa-Ulrika in the 18th century, an influence that can still be felt today. In regard to the architecture, UNESCO points out that Drottningholm is representative of 17th and 18th century western and northern European architecture, and was created with strong references to both 17th century French and Italian architecture as well. The gardens, buildings, and original interior furnishings are noted to be particularly well-preserved. To further expand upon the historical significance of the palace’s preservation, UNESCO explains that the Palace Theatre stands as the only surviving 18th century theatre “where the original machinery is still regularly used and the original stage sets are preserved.” History Hit further mentions that while the palace functions as a private residence today, there are some areas that are open to the public for tours, making it a great destination to learn more about the country’s royal history and prominent architecture.
In addition to Sweden’s spectacular mountains and other natural wonders such as the Northern Lights, Swedish architecture is yet another marvel that the country boasts — especially when it comes to the royal residences that can be found. Haga Palace and Drottningholm Palace are just two of many worth the exploration, as the residences boast a spectacular presence that extends well beyond their architecture.
An Exploration of Royal Residences: The Rich History Behind Sweden’s Regal Structures, written dedicatedly for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.
Feature image (on top) Drottningholm Palace. Photo: Wikimedia Commons