Läckö Castle
On your trip around Sweden Läckö Castle is well worth a visit. On a cliff by the side of Lake Vänern rises the castle, captivating in its Baroque splendour, sensual garden, magnificent treasures and ancient medieval vaults. Visitors from the whole world stream through here; old and young, hikers and music lovers, those with a thirst for history or those who are just relaxing on holiday.
OPENING HOURSHistory
Läckö Castle is best known as De la Gardie’s magnificent baroque mansion on the shores of Lake Vänern, but it is much older. In 1298, Brynolf Algotsson, the bishop of Skara, laid the foundations for a fortified castle here. Probably no more than a mound surrounding a few simple houses, nevertheless strategically located in the middle of his diocese.
The castle was confiscated from the church and taken over by the crown in 1527. It was granted to Count Jacob De la Gardie in 1615 for services to the nation. His son Magnus Gabriel was only 30 when he took over the title and estates. He began an extensive extension of the castle, and it is essentially Magnus Gabriel’s palace we see today.
Read moreInterior of the Castle
The major parts of the decorations as shown today were created during Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie’s time, and exemplifies the transformation from a bishop’s fort to a baroque castle. In the parade floor of the castle, you can view ceiling and wall paintings, 1700th century cabinets and portraits.
More about interiorsInterior of the Castle
The major parts of the decorations as shown today were created during Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie’s time, and exemplifies the transformation from a bishop’s fort to a baroque castle. In the parade floor of the castle, you can view ceiling and wall paintings, 1700th century cabinets and portraits.
More about interiorsThe Treasury & The Armoury
This is an exhibition full of eye-catching objects. But the baroque luxury is not only frivolity and splendour, it brings the establishment into focus. Precious metals, exotic materials and man’s own creative power are at the center, when luxury objects from the Swedish great power era are exposed.
A substantial array of firearms is on display in The Armoury. One can see wheel-lock guns richly inlaid with mother of pearl, matchlock muskets with ornamentation carved in walnut, and pistols with stocks of polished ebony and ivory.
More about The Treasury & The ArmouryKitchen &
Household
Läckö Mansion during the days of Count Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie, reminded of a large corporation with all its different departments.
There is military staff, a castle crew, a stables crew and a large barn crew, which includes marine staff. When the count arrives he also brings a court crew with office administration personell.