Located near the southern tip of Sweden, Kalmar Castle is a castle in the city Kalmar that has served as an important structure in the region for hundreds of years. It has been a major part of Swedish history since it was originally built as a fortified tower in the 12th century but has been transformed into a monument that has played an even bigger part in the culture and economy of the area.
From the Kalmar Union to the Best-Preserved Castle in Sweden
The city of Kalmar exists because of the defense tower that was built in 1180 where Kalmar Castle now stands. This tower was erected to protect the area from attack, and it didn’t take long for a city to be built around the tower. Additional towers and a ring wall were eventually added to make it a more complete fortification, but the most significant event to occur at what would become Kalmar Castle happened in 1397.
The Kalmar Union, which lasted from 1397-1523, joined together the three kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. It was made official with the coronation of Eric of Pomerani that took place in Kalmar Castle. The Kalmar Union helped bring stability to the region and served an important counterweight to the German Hanseatic League. Kalmar Castle continued to serve as an important location even after the Union was dissolved.
During the 16th century the medieval fortress was made into a Renaissance palace and was redesigned into the building it is today. By 1658 though, when the Swedish frontier moved further south, the castle was no longer considered a strategically important location. Over the next few centuries the castle was used as a prison, distillery, and granary, but eventually fell into disrepair.
In the mid-1800s, restoration work was begun at Kalmar Castle. In 1891 the castle had gained the silhouette it bears today. By 1941, the castle was once more surrounded by water and is now Sweden’s best-preserved Nordic Renaissance castle with permanent exhibitions that tell the history of the structure and region.
All of this history is on display for visitors to Kalmar Castle, but that’s just one aspect of the experience that has made it a monument for the city and to Sweden as a whole.
Experiencing the History of the Region and Castle
A wooden drawbridge brings viewers into the castle, introducing visitors to a history that features international politics, court intrigues, fiery sieges and fierce battles. Much of that is evident in the artifacts that are on display on the grounds and in the items for sale in the gift shop. Similar to other monumental museums, this history has been preserved in multiple formats and utilizes many different means to tell these stories, which can include entire rooms and halls.
The Queen’s Suite, Checkered Hall, Golden Hall and Burned Hall are just a few of the notable rooms in the castle, but the amount of history that’s displayed throughout each room is nothing short of extraordinary. Guided tours offer visitors with a much more powerful way to learn about Kalmar Castle, and are available throughout the year. The tours take visitors from the first stones at the end of the 12th century, via the Kalmar Union and the Vasasönes renaissance palace, through the decade of the 17th century. All of these features and exhibits are available year-round, but temporary exhibitions continually rotate throughout the space.
Everything from the dungeon pit to outfits worn by monarchs are on display throughout the castle, but the view from the outer ramparts provide visitors with a much different experience. Viewers can get an incredible a look out across Kalmar and the Swedish countryside and also see the canons that once defended the castle.
The history in and throughout Kalmar Castle is as complete as it is impressive. All of it has helped to make Kalmar Castle a symbol of Sweden, the upshot of which can be seen in terms of the cultural and economic impact it has opened up for the region and country.
Meetings, Wedding and More
The price of admission to Kalmar Castle depends on the time of year, but that is far from the only source of revenue. The Castle Restaurant Kalmar serves a variety of food, while the gift shop sells numerous items that can only be purchased there, in addition to others that can be found online. Most of these options are aimed at visitors, but residents have been able to utilize Kalmar Castle as well, which has solidified the bond between the monument and the city.
Meetings have been held in Kalmar Castle since 1397, and room is available to rent for everything from conferences to concerts. The space contains modern conference equipment and rooms for up to 240 people while the chapel is one of Sweden’s most popular wedding venues. In addition to these types of private gatherings, there are also countless public events of all types held throughout the year. It has also become a place where residents come to take in the sun and relax.
One of the most unique events happens in the summer, when Kalmar Castle turns into the Children’s Castle. In it, kids have the chance to challenge the Black Knight, participate in a castle tournament, and to be ceremoniously dubbed a knight in the castle hall. The Vasa Workshop offers activities for children ages 3 and up. A package with family admission to Kalmar Castle, hotel accommodations and a breakfast buffet can be purchased at a single price.
All of these events and activities have opened up tremendous opportunities that have helped to see Kalmar Castle turn into a symbol for the region that has drawn interest and attention from across the world to Kalmar and Sweden.
A Symbol and Legacy for Kalmar
Unlike other castles that have a specific attraction to draw in visitors, Kalmar Castle relies on the history and legacy that is displayed in multiple artifacts and rooms throughout the castle to draw interest and attention. They’ve done so in an incredible manner to enable experiences for both residents and visitors, and in doing so have created a monument that has opened up countless benefits for the region and to Sweden as a whole.
