Gripsholm Castle sits on the edge of Lake Mälaren in south central Sweden, in Mariefred, Södermanland, in the municipality of Strängnäs, about 30 miles west of Stockholm.
Today it is a museum which is open to the public. It contains paintings, works of art, and one section of the castle houses the National Portrait Gallery, one of the oldest portrait collections in the world.
Construction on the Castle began in 1537 by King Gustav I, but was not completed until 1709. There was originally a medieval fortress on the site, which was built by the Grip family in 1380.
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| King Gustav... I mean my brother Jay... checking out the cannon |
Only the facade of a wall remains of the original building, which was confiscated by King Gustav I in 1526 and torn down to make room for the fortified castle you now see on the site. The circular corner towers were built for defensive purposes.
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| Christian just playing around |
Since King Gustav seized the property, it has remained in the Swedish Royal Family. It was used as a royal residence until 1713, and has even been used as a prison for royal personages from time to time.
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| The view across the lake |
It couldn't have been built in a more beautiful setting.
My nephews - and my niece - enjoyed checking out its splendors!
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| Nils and Anders, no doubt planning battle strategies! |
As pretty as all this is in summer, all I can think of is how socked in with snow it most probably becomes in the winter! Brrrrr.
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| Picturesque Lake Mälaren |
Still, pretty darn lovely in the summertime!
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| Looks like a beautiful day in the neighborhood |
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| A lonely Viking Rune Stone |
There are many stately homes and palaces in this region of Sweden.
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| Nils is always doing the GQ poses! |
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| Brothers Nils, Anders and Christian |
Yes, you can tell these kids have Scandinavian heritage!
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| Siblings Linnea, Anders, Christian och Nils |
That cannon looks like a work of art in itself!
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| Now, just the boys plus Linnea's husband, Jeff |
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| My sister-in-law in a pensive moment |
Beautiful Sweden! Are you ready for a vacation there yet?
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