Castle tour of the royal apartments

The history of Kalmar Castle spans 800 years. This tour brings you back to the very beginning, when very first stones were put in place at the end of the 12th century. It then continues with the story of the Kalmar Union and the Renaissance palace of the Vasa sons, but also brings up the castle’s decline between the 17th and 19th centuries.

You get to see how the Renaissance lords lived and how they used these grand rooms, study sleeping habits, and learn how the court functioned. Prepare for a journey to the 16th century.

Funny facts

• The Danish border was located only 50 km south of Kalmar until 1658.
• Sweden, Norway and Denmark formed the Kalmar Union together in Kalmar Castle in 1397.
• Johan III consumed on average 7 liters of wine a day.
• The castle has also been used as grain storage, a prison, and a brewery.
• The bishop Stagnelius in Kalmar wished to demolish the castle and use the stones to build a school, in the early 19th century.