CASTLES

You can find a lot of castles in the area around Flen. Here is a list of castles which are of historical interest.

STENHAMMAR
In 1658 Johan Rosenhane came to Stenhammar together with the architect Jean de la Vall‚, and they designed and built the castle you can see today. In the late 19th century Anders Robert von Kramer, who owned the castle died, and in his will he decided that the castle should have some special purpose. So it was decided that Stenhammar should be used by the state, and that a Swedish prince should use it as often as possible. This prince should also have the title "Duke of Sörmland" Prince Wilhelm, the second son of Gustav V became a frequent visitor to Stenhammar, and memories of him are fond both as a personality and as a donor to the community. After Wilhelm's death most of his furniture was sold by auction, his paintings were donated to the National Museum in Stockholm, but his library was donated to the town of Flen. This collection of books can now be seen at the public library in Flen's town centre. Stenhammar is still owned by the state, and now and again the present monarch Carl XVI Gustav visits Stenhammar. Unfortunately neither the park nor the house are open to the public, but the surroundings are beautiful and worth a visit anyway, even if it is from a distance.

ROCKELSTAD
During the last decades of the 19th century Carl Sylvan rebuilt an old one storey manor, fallen into disrepair, into a castle in Vasa style. (Gripsholm in Mariefred is also a Vasa castle). In 1900 Erik von Rosen bought Rockelstad and built the large entrance gate which can still be seen. Today the castle is owned by the von Post family. Groups may visit the castle if they make an appointment first. Ring 0157 - 32118.

ÅKERÖ
Many noble men have run Åkerö, and between the 14th and 18th centuries and no less than 19 generations of councillors! Families such as Natt och Dag, Tott, Sture, Bielke, and Sparre have all lived here. Carl-Gustav Tessin who also was a councillor and an "Untitled leader of Sweden" came to Åkerö through his wife Ulrika Sparre. Tessin built a Rococo castle with the help of an architect called Hårleman and in 1757 the castle was finished. During the 1750's Tessin lost his popularity, both politically and economically and was forced to sell the castle. In the castle park you can find the famous Åkerö apple tree. If you call and make an appointment it is possible to visit the park and the castle, although sightseeing around the castle costs 500 Skr per group. Ring 0155- 96013.

VIBYHOLM
Many of the estates in Sörmland have been owned by leading families in Sweden. King Karl IX and his queen Kristina used to stay at Vibyholm. The king bought Vibyholm because he needed a halfway house on his trips between Nyköping and Eskilstuna. Vibyholm was also used to provide his court in Nyköping with supplies. When Karl IX bought Vibyholm, there were only simple dwellings there. But the king made plans to build a castle here instead. Construction of the castle did not begin until the 1620's, and by this time the king was already dead.
In 1730 the Bonde family bought the castle and had it re-built, and at the end of the 18th century Görwell did the final re-building so that the castle looks the way it does today. The Bonde family still owns the castle. Vibyholm is not open to the public, but you can still enjoy a stroll in the park surrounding the castle.

SPARREHOLM
This castle was built in the 18th century by general Johan Vilhelm Sprengporten. The well known architects Rehn and Adelcrantz designed the castle in Rococo style, but unfortunately rebuilding during the years has effected the Rococo style. The alley from the church to the castle is said to be the longest lime alley in Europe! Behind the castle you can find the castle park and by following the small pathways you come to an oak grove which is part of the national park in Sparreholm.

HARPSUND
Harpsund has been owned by many noble families in Sweden, and during the beginning of the 20th century it was owned by the Wikander family. Hjalmar Wikander, who made his fortune in cork together with his father, pulled down the old wooden house which had fallen into disrepair, and architect Oskar Hökenberg designed a new building which was completed in 1914. With the completion of the building the house changed it's name from Axelberg (after Axel Stålarm) to Harpsund.
Hjalmar Wikander's son, who died in 1952, donated the house and grounds to the Swedish state as an official residence for the prime-minister. The park is open to the public and you can take a walk by the lake and see the rowing boat in which many of the world's most famous politicians have been photographed.



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