Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm is one of Sweden's most famous royal palaces, inhabited by Swedish royalty since the 16th century. Founded in 1579 during the reign of Johan III, it remains one of Sweden's best-preserved historic buildings.
History and Royal Residence
Drottningholm Palace was originally built by Johan III for Queen Catherine Jagiellon. Since 1777, the palace has been owned by the state, but the royal family retains the right to reside there. Queen Hedvig Eleonora and King Karl X Gustav designed and built parts of the current palace from 1662 to 1750, originally known as a pleasure palace.
Over the centuries, various Swedish kings and queens have left their mark on the palace and surrounding gardens. Today, it is Sweden's most prestigious and best-preserved royal palace and was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1991.
Early History
The first palace on this site was built in 1579 by Johan III. Gustav Vasa had previously owned the area as a royal estate. After Queen Catherine's death in 1583, the palace was rarely visited, but during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was expanded and restored by kings such as Gustav III, Gustav IV Adolf, and Oscar I.
Gustav III established the English Garden, built the Gothic Tower, and expanded the Drottningholm Palace Theatre. Restorations continued during the 19th century, and in 1907, the palace was restored again during King Gustav V's reign.
The English Garden
The English Garden, created by Gustav III, offers scenic walks with bridges, ponds, and large lawns. The Gothic Tower, built in 1792, is located within the garden and has three floors with 124 steps. It has been a protected historical monument since 1935.
Drottningholm Palace Theatre
The palace theatre had its golden age in the late 18th century under King Gustav III. After a period of decline, it was restored in 1921 by Agne Beijer. Today, it remains the only 18th-century theatre in the world still using its original stage machinery.
The Bathhouse
The Drottningholm Bathhouse was built in 1792 by order of King Karl XIII. The cold bathhouse is still used privately by the royal family.
Drottningholm Palace and its gardens are open to visitors throughout the season, offering a unique combination of history, culture, and royal architecture in Stockholm. Plan your visit to explore the palace, theatre, Gothic Tower, and English Garden all in one day.
