Rörstrand Castle in Stockholm - the castle you never knew existed

Located in the centre of Stockholm, Rörstrand Castle is perhaps one of Stockholm's least known (and most hidden!) castles. We live relatively close to the castle and almost every day we pass the large porcelain pile that reminds us of what was once the Rörstrand porcelain factory. One day we decided to explore the history of the castle and the factory. It was even more exciting than expected, not least because this turned out to be almost the last chance to see the inside of the castle.

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Rörstrand in Stockholm

A few weeks ago, I showed my walk to work and all the beautiful animals we see along the way. But we do not only see animals on the road, but also a lot of other interesting things. Among other things, we pass the large porcelain pile that once belonged to the Rörstrand porcelain factory.

In the 1720s, the City of Stockholm authorised a company to build a porcelain factory below Rörstrand Castle. The shards of porcelain that lie here, many of them in the typical colours of white and blue, testify to the time when Rörstrand was one of Sweden's largest employers. We became curious about the history behind the factory and the castle and went on a quest for history!

Stockholm's most secret castle?

Rörstrand Castle may be Stockholm's most secret castle. Its location right next to the hectic Sankt Eriksplan is central, yet no one seems to know that there is a castle here. When I tell friends and colleagues that I'm going to visit Rörstrand Castle on Rörstrandsgatan, they look at me in surprise. A castle, at Sankt Eriksplan?

Perhaps it is the case that you have seen the castle several times without ever realising that it might be a castle. The walls of the castle testify that this is an old building with a lot of history, but the house does not seem so big after all, where it is built together with the much more magnificent Filadelfiakyrkan. If there's any part of the castle you've noticed, it's perhaps the popular Rörstrand Castle Café, located at the entrance.

Guided tour of Rörstrand Castle

We get curious and call the castle to see if we can get a guided tour. We can, but we realise that we are calling at the last second. The entire castle operation is to be closed down, the castle café is to close and a folk high school is to move into the building.

The guide, Agneta, sounds a bit sad as she talks. 'There are only six weeks left until an entire era goes to the grave. Suddenly our visit and our report feel extra important. As if it is the last chance to see the castle and tell its story.

Dungeons and knight academy at Rörstrand Castle

We start the guided tour by going down into what were once dungeons in history. But we start the story much earlier than that! We sit down in one of the rooms in the 15th century cellar and let Agneta tell us how it all began.

Rörstrand is mentioned as early as the 13th century, when Magnus Ladulås donated the Rörstrand area to Klara Abbey. In the 17th century, the main building, then called Stora Rörstrand, was owned by the wealthy Mårten Rosenstierna. He gave the building as a morning gift to his wife in 1635.

A little later, the building became the property of Queen Christina, and it was then that the house began to be referred to as a 'castle' - that was the name given to a building owned by royalty. Among other things, the Queen established a knight's academy "like the one in Paris", where the young nobility were trained in riding, fencing, dance, languages and other important arts.

During the Great Northern War in the early 18th century, Rörstrand Castle was used to house prisoners of war. And that is why we can talk about the dungeons of Rörstrand Castle!

Tiled stoves and porcelain at Rörstrand Castle

When you emerge from the dungeons, you can visit the castle's many rooms, where you will be particularly fascinated by the beautiful tiled stoves. Many of the rooms can currently be used for conferences and meetings, but with the folk high school moving in soon, this will no longer be the case.

The premises also contain some porcelain, which is not surprising given that Rörstrand's porcelain factory was founded here. Almost 300 years ago, the Rörstrand company manufactured its first plate in Stockholm.

In 1726, the 'Swenske Porcellainsvärket' was founded, producing porcelain under the direction of the German porcelain maker Johann Wolff. This history makes the Swedish porcelain manufacturer the second oldest porcelain brand in Europe, after Meissen from 1709.

Rörstrand Porcelain Factory

When Rörstrand started manufacturing plates, porcelain became available to ordinary people, who previously ate on metal plates. The plates were initially made of faience and decorated in cobalt blue, often inspired by Chinese porcelain.

A little later, they developed their own typically Swedish designs and when the first competitor appeared at the end of the 1750s, they started labelling the porcelain with "Rörstrand". In the 1770s, the first tableware was launched: Sepia.

One of Sweden's largest companies

In the 19th century, Rörstrand got its first steam engine and began printing designs using copper plates, instead of using only hand painting. Large tableware became popular, often with inspiration from England. The factory grew and became one of Sweden's ten largest companies.

Conditions changed over time, however, and in 1926 the entire operation moved to Gothenburg, and a little later it was merged with Lidköping's porcelain factory. During the 20th century, many of Rörstrand's classics were produced, such as the Nationalservisen (Swedish Grace), Ostindia, Picnic, Mon Amie and Grön Anna. Today you can still see the remains of the factory in Stockholm, in the form of the large pile of porcelain waste preserved in Karlberg.

Rörstrand today

When the Rörstrand porcelain factory moved to Gothenburg, the castle and the neighbouring factory site were bought by the Filadelfia congregation in Stockholm. In 1930, the congregation built its church on the factory site and connected the castle to the church. The café and conference activities in the castle have been run by Rörstrands Slott AB, but soon the activities in the castle will be replaced by courses.

Rörstrand's porcelain factory was merged with Lidköping's porcelain factory and is now part of the Fiskars Group, but still sells porcelain under the name Rörstrand. There is a shop on Kungsgatan in Stockholm and you can also visit the museum in Lidköping.

Rörstrand porcelain in pedestrian tunnel

Almost every day we walk through the pedestrian tunnel that connects Karlberg to Vasastan, under the railway. But even though we walk here every day, we have missed looking at the lamps. Each lamp is decorated with patterns from Rörstrand porcelain. So much of this area is reminiscent of the time that has passed.

Have you seen the porcelain mountain reminiscent of Rörstrand, or perhaps you have some of the company's porcelain at home in your cupboards? Did you know about Rörstrand's castle at St Eriksplan?

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