Vadstena Castle

About

Vadstena Castle was built in 1545 by King Gustav I as a fortress to protect Stockholm from Danish invaders approaching from the south. The king married his third wife, Catherine Stenbock, here in 1552 before the fortress had been converted into a habitable castle. When the alterations were finally completed in 1620, every king of the House of Vasa had had a hand in its construction. From this point, Vadstena Castle remained a royal palace until 1716, when the royal family lost interest in it, and it was used as a storage barn for grain. Today, the castle has been fully restored, and now houses a museum exhibiting furniture and decor from the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s also the seat of the International Vadstena Academy, Sweden's smallest opera house, and hosts concerts in its courtyard during the summer.