This isn't really a great place to come if your looking for a proper "castle tour". The interior…read moredecor was pretty much all auctioned off back in the early 1900's and the random items they found to put in there now are not exactly spectacular (except for a few original paintings). The whole castle looked like it was painted over sometime around the turn of the century too. It made me sad to see that there was all this peeing paint showing only hints at the all colorful renaissance artwork hiding beneath the surface. I do have to say that the structure from the outside is absolutely spectacular! It's a renaissance building with a baroque roof! If you do decide to go inside, just a warning that the tours are only in Swedish and I got the impression that everyone who understood more than I did was pretty bored.
HOWEVER.... the reason I gave it four stars is because we stumbled across a little gem of a medieval festival two weekends ago! We went down to Söderköping to visit some family and were looking for things to do together and just happened to find this. I'm so glad we did! It was really great! I've been to a medieval festival once in the states when I was younger and thought it was a little silly, but here at a REAL medieval castle... it was actually pretty darn cool! There was jousting and weapon throwing--I also got to throw a giant axe and pet a giant cow! At least, I think it was a cow... my knowledge base there is pretty limited. Lol! I'm such a city girl it's hilarious! They had a lot of food and craft merchants on site too. I especially liked the hot candied nuts! A little too much...I ate so many I was actually hurting! I even thought all the musicians playing those old instruments were pretty amazing at it!
I think the best part of going here was the beautiful view! The Castle was designed to be a fort so it was placed up on a small cliff next to what used to be a lake (now drained down to be more like a "wetland"). BEAUTIFUL! If I came here again without the festival it would only be to test out the little cafe and take in that view again--seriously, straight out of a fairy tale!
I recommend everyone going (and bringing your kids if you have them) during the festival time. I really like this castle and the area surrounding it a lot. This place is proof that you can run something down (for example: paint over it, drain the lake near it and strip the beautiful interior) and it can still survive and thrive just the same. I would probably recommend some other castles if your on the tourist track, but if your a local or just in the area it's nice for a casual visit! See my other reviews on some Swedish slotts if you want to find something a little more touristy or impressive (Just had an Idea to make my very second Yelp list).
=) =) =) =) .....my personal rating system. ;)
