Amid the flat profile of the broad green farmlands of southwest Sweden, there resides Glimmingehus, the "best-preserved" medieval castle in the Nordic countries. Originally built by a Dane in the early 1500s, it is relatively modest in size, yet still possessing all the intrigue of apertures in its fortified stone walls (wide enough for shooting intruders!) and a side-by-side privy for 2 (maybe they were into that kind of thing back then ???). In the ladies' chamber, there are incredible stone biblical motifs, carved as early as the 13th century and installed here when the place was completed, 300 years later.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we often forget to acknowledge the extensive lineages of societies that have come before us. It's incredibly powerful to look out the windows of this fortress and imagine others doing the same, half a millennium ago.
There are several newer buildings adjoined to the original castle structure, including an educational space for kids (alas the signage is only in Swedish). There is also a really cool thatch-roofed structure aside the house that is worth a closer look.
Note that the site is NOT open in the winter, so check their website before you go. There are road signs directing you once you get closer, but it's a good idea to navigate through Google maps, which will take you right there. Otherwise the farm roads are curvy and can get confusing. You park and pay admission (around 70 SEK--currently around $8 USD--for adults?) at a more modern building that also contains the gift shop, then walk a short distance to the actual castle. read more