Ceiling decor, cabinets & four-poster beds

Most of the interior decoration visible today was created during the time of Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie and shows the transformation from a bishop's castle to a Baroque castle. Several artists were hired to decorate most of the rooms on the third and fourth floors of the castle. Rich ceiling decorations, mythological scenes and battle paintings can be seen, and in the King's Hall the 13 ceiling angels, created by the painter and sculptor Johan Werner, still hover. The sculptor George Baselaque was commissioned, among other things, to carve the alcove opening in the princess's bedchamber. The interior design and layout of the suite was the most modern of its time, influenced by French ideals.

In order to bring to life the castle's heyday during the time of Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie, the empty rooms have been refurnished. However, this should not be seen as a reconstruction of the castle's interiors in the 17th century, but as a picture of the interior design culture of the time.

The artefacts are part of the state art collections managed by the National Museum. Thanks to gifts from individuals, companies and public institutions, and not least with the support of Lidköping Municipality and Föreningen Läckö Vänner, the collection has grown considerably.

LUXURY ITEMS FROM THE SWEDISH EMPIRE

The treasury at Läckö Castle

Precious metals, exotic materials and man's own creativity take centre stage in this exhibition of luxury objects from the Swedish Empire. This is an exhibition full of eye candy, but Baroque luxury is not only about splendour in a superficial sense, but also focuses on the benefit of the state.

Läckö is a natural setting because Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie was one of the most splendour-loving noblemen of his time and is considered to have introduced luxury to Sweden. The treasury at Läckö shows that a surprising amount of 17th-century wealth has been preserved thanks to the fact that our country has long been spared from war. Artefacts dominate the contents and the range is great.

Grape and nautilus goblets are jostled with silver dishes and drinking jugs. There is also Queen Kristina's brightly coloured faience service from Urbino and miniature portraits of Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie. Amber boxes glow next to the De la Gardie turtle dinner service and brittle Venetian glass.

The Treasury was created thanks to a substantial donation from Sparbanksstiftelsen Lidköping and a major loan from the state art collections at the National Museum. This makes the Treasure Chamber at Läckö Castle one of the most object-rich exhibitions of its kind.

The exhibition is produced by the Nationalmuseum in co-operation with the Läckö Castle Foundation and the National Property Board, and is part of the basic exhibitions at the castle.

The armoury at Läckö Castle

During the time of the Great Powers, hunting was an exclusive form of entertainment for the highest levels of society. Hunting game in the forest was considered a useful exercise for princes and nobles in preparation for war. Special rooms were set up in castles and large estates, where weapons and armour were displayed to visitors. For the lord, hunting weapons were important status markers, combining advanced technology in firing mechanics with expensive materials and artistic design.

The armoury at Läckö Castle displays a wide variety of firearms. Here you can see wheel-lock rifles with rich inlays of mother-of-pearl, long-lock guns with carved ornaments in walnut wood and pistols with stocks of polished ebony and ivory.

This collection was created by the industrialist and diplomat Axel Wallenberg (1874-1963) who, after his many years abroad, began to build up his remarkable collection of mainly wheel-lock weapons from the 16th century until the end of the following century. Among other things, Wallenberg acquired several exquisite weapons when the collection of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar was sold in 1927. On two separate occasions, Axel Wallenberg donated large parts of his collection of firearms to the Army Museum.

At Läckö Castle, these weapons are on display to the public for the first time. This has been made possible by a generous donation from the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation.

The exhibition is produced by the National Museum in co-operation with the Läckö Castle Foundation, the National Property Board and the Army Museum.

a historical masterpiece

Läckö Castle Church

The castle church was built in 1655-1668 by Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie. It is one of Läckö's most brilliant historical settings. The church tower is a technical masterpiece and the church itself has well-preserved artistic decoration, including the altarpiece, pew doors and organ. The wooden sculptures in the niches - framed by grisaille paintings - depict the apostles of Jesus, each wearing an attribute symbolising their martyrdom.

Wedding at Läckö Castle

Dreaming of a castle wedding? Get married in Läckö Castle Church! Contact us to find out more, info@lackoslott.se.

Everyday environments at Läckö Castle

During the time of the count, the Läckö estate resembled a large company with various units. There is a military crew, a castle state, a stable state and a large barn state that also includes a sea state. When the count arrives, he also brings his court. There is an office with administrative staff. Almost everything must be recorded and carefully accounted for - every ration of food, every load of bricks, every sheet of linen. In the Dining Hall's small kitchen, the kitchen maids and maids are helped by the kitchen porters. Bengt Skytt has brought game and poultry. Smoked meat and bread share the space, which is also used as a dining room by the labourers several times a day. The little girl's sleeping place is next to the hot stove.

In Gamla Fruntimret, the barrel-maker's wife oversees the entire linen store, and in Rullestugan, barrel-maker's maids and chambermaids carry freshly washed damask to the mangle and linen press.

Sweepers are sweeping the entire castle.

The "Kitchen & Household" project at Läckö Castle was financed by Sparbanksstiftelsen Skaraborg