Rosersbergs slott - ett kungligt slott i Sigtuna

Rosersberg Palace is a royal palace in Sigtuna, north of Stockholm. This castle is one of the eleven royal castles in Sweden and was home to Karl XIV Johan Bernadotte and his wife Desideria. Today the castle is a nice place to visit.

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Rosersberg Castle

Rosersberg Castle offers a lot of Swedish history and, when guided tours are given of the castle's halls, you can travel right into the middle of the 19th century. Right now, you have to make do with viewing the castle from the outside and walking in the castle park, but that's not bad either.

Rosersberg Castle is located in Sigtuna, just four kilometres north of Stockholm.

The castle where time stood still

Construction of Rosersberg Castle began in 1634 and was completed four years later. Since then, the castle has been expanded and modernised several times, but in the middle of the 19th century, it can be said that time stopped.

Charles XIV Johan and his wife Desideria were granted the right of disposal and spent a lot of time here in the summers. When Charles XIV Johan died, Desideria remained here as a widow. These were the last royals to live here, and after that everything stayed as it was. The rooms remain almost exactly as they were then.

Visiting Rosersberg Castle

These are different times, and the Royal Palaces are closed internally due to the pandemic. Normally, guided tours are given, both for individual visitors and for groups. Rosersbergs Slottshotell also runs a hotel, conference, party & wedding and castle café. Under normal circumstances, you can drop in for a castle coffee.

Whatever the situation, the castle park is always open. When we were here, many people were also enjoying the sun at the back of the castle!

The palace halls - a well-preserved time bubble

Normally, guided tours are arranged in the castle's halls, but due to the pandemic, all such tours are cancelled at the moment. We couldn't see the inside of the castle, but since we (and maybe you) are curious, we'll show you some press photos.

Rosersberg Palace showcases a royal environment that has remained largely untouched since the 19th century. Stepping in here is therefore like stepping straight into a time bubble. Here you can see beautiful halls and also the culturally important castle chapel, which is also open for weddings and baptisms. The last royals to live here were Charles XIV Johan and Queen Desideria, the first Bernadottes. This is what their home looked like!

Rosersbergs slott - röda salongen — The Red Salon, Rosersberg Castle. Photo: Alexis Daflos. Copyright: The Royal Courts of Justice

Rosersbergs slott - gröna förmaket — Green atrium, Rosesberg Castle. Photo: Alexis Daflos. Copyright: The Royal Courts of Justice

The castle park at Rosersberg Castle

The castle park at Rosersberg Castle is fantastically beautiful and very large. Close to the castle there is an area with lawns and planted trees.

You can then walk further out into the large English park, which is more like a forest. There are very beautiful trees (what are those tall, bare, silvery trees called?) and a nice walk along the waterfront.

One of the places to look out for during the walk is 'Kettil's Cave'. It may sound more impressive than it is, but the area here is made up of very large boulders.

Slottsparken och grottan vid Rosersbergs slott

Right next to the cave is a (fake, modern) rune stone, which is supposed to be a reminder of Kettil.

If you climb up from Kettil's cave (or enter from the road from the other direction), you will reach the "viewpoint". And yes, here you can enjoy a really nice view!

The next two photos are from the walk back towards Rosersberg Castle. First we saw a very big and old tree that needed a hug.

Then we saw an even older tree, which did not survive with just hugs, but also needed supports.

Romanesque eastern tower churches: Norrsunda and Skånela.

If you drive a little way from Rosersberg, you can check out the Romanesque eastern tower churches in Norrsunda and Skånela. An eastern tower church is a church building with the church tower placed in the east. This is the oldest type of country church in Uppland, and the oldest of these is the one in Skånela. We have photographed the one in Norrsunda, which we thought was the most beautiful.

Skånelaholm Castle in Sigtuna

Just 20 minutes from Rosersberg Castle is Skånelaholm Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century, but the castle you see today was built in 1639-1643 by the court president Andreas Gyldenklou.

The longest period with the same owner was between 1742 and 1918, when the castle was owned by the Jennings family. In 1929 the castle was bought by the historian Retting, who became the last private owner. The Retting couple donated the castle to the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1962, along with furniture, art, books and artefacts they had collected.

The castle is now open to the public during the summers. Since we were here in April and during corona time, it was of course closed, but it was still nice to see the nice little castle.

The castle and its wings have changed over the years, but today it has the same colour scheme as it had at the end of the 19th century. Very charming, and with a great location by the water!

RV park at Steningebadet

Apps CamperContact suggested that you could stay for the night in the car park at Rosersberg Castle, but we felt done with the castle. Instead we chose to go to Steningebadet, where there are three pitches for motorhomes, and where you can stay for 12 hours. The site is free of charge and there is rubbish collection, but no other services.

Right next door is a nature reserve and we saw many hikers coming and going. In the evening, however, the atmosphere was different, with cars coming and going in the dark. We stood here as a single motorhome and actually did not feel completely safe.

Steninge Castle in Sigtuna

We woke up early and headed straight to the airport. Steninge Castle, which is right next to Steninge Bath and the car park. The castle is really beautiful, but the park would not open until 12 o'clock. We didn't have the energy to wait that long, so we moved on. The photo of the castle will be from a distance, from outside the gate ... There were new adventures instead!

See more in the neighbourhood

In Sigtuna there is another fine castle to visit, namely Wenngarn Castle. In addition, Sigtuna itself is a pleasant town, with cosy alleys, cafés and old church ruins.

READ MORE: Sigtuna - a visit to Sweden's oldest town
READ MORE: Wenngarn Castle in Sigtuna - castle park, café and history

Barockträdgård Wenngarns slott — The castle park at Wenngarn Castle

Have you visited Rosersberg Castle?

Have you visited Rosersberg Castle, or any of the other castles in the area? Perhaps you have even more tips?

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Facts about Roserbserg Castle

Country: Sweden
Landscape: Uppland
County: Stockholm
Municipality: Sigtuna
Style: Nyantik, empirical
Established: 1634
Owners: State Property Agency
The name: Rosersberg is named after the mother of the estate's founder, the national treasurer Gabriel Bengtsson Oxenstierna. His mother came from the Tre Rosor family.
Read more: You can find more information at The Royal Palace website

History at Rosersberg Castle

1634: Construction of the castle began by the Oxenstierna family, and it was completed four years later.
17th century: In the second half of the 17th century, the castle was modernised in the Baroque style by the son of the National Treasurer, Bengt Oxenstierna. Oxenstierna was assisted by Nicodemus Tessin the younger.
1695: The church wing with Rosersberg Castle Chapel was completed.

18th century

1747: Rosersberg was bought by Baron Erland Broman, who had the castle modernised.
1757: After Boman's death, the estate was redeemed by the Swedish state. The estate became available to Duke Karl (XIII) of Södermanland, and thus became a royal palace. Duke Karl undertook both remodelling and renovation.
1792: When Gustav III died, Duke Charles took over as guardian regent.
1797: The palace was decorated in late Gustavian and Empire style, under the direction of Gustaf af Sillén.

19th century

1810: Charles XIV Johan Bernadotte became Crown Prince of Sweden and was adopted by Charles XIII and Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta.
1818: Charles XIII and Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta died, and Charles XIV Johan inherited the disposition of Rosersberg Castle. He used the castle extensively, especially in the summers with his wife Desideria.
1844: After the king's death, Queen Dowager Desideria used Rosersberg as her widow's residence.
1874: The infantry school moved into the ground floor and wings of the castle.

20th century to present

1961: The infantry school was relocated.
2004: An extensive facade renovation was initiated.
2008: Rosersberg Hotel and Conference opened.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Castles in Sweden - 30 very beautiful Swedish castles
READ MORE: Experiences in Stockholm County - Norrtälje to Södertälje
READ MORE: Things to do in Uppland - sights and experiences

13 Comments

Add yours →

Ditte says:

Fun with a trip here. And you got to see a lot even if you couldn't get in for a tour.
For me these are well known areas. We lived in Upplands Väsby for many years and the trips here were many. Both to Rosersberg, the park, Steninge Castle and the park there and the whole area... Even the churches and Skånelaholm are old acquaintances.
Have been to a party at Steninge castle a few times and have friends who live nearby. Steningebadet, but not the campsite, are also well-known areas.
We have stayed at Rosersberg Castle a couple of times and it was really nice.
Wishing you a continued nice trip. I'm sure you found many nice places to visit.

12 April 2021 - 13:06

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you have been here so much! Very nice! Steninge castle also looked nice, although we did not see much of it.
  
  12 April 2021 - 17:59
  
Monica says:

Yes the Scots have had some cultural trips as a goal: -), now I'm looking for Skokloster, I think you've written about it, will look, was a castle I visited as a child and later with my own family and then on a cultural trip with the whole gang in the housing association: -). I like that castle so much, both indoors and out and hope it can be like before again for such a nice castle café they have and lots of courses for school students of all ages and so much history for all of us. A nice week is wished to you🦢🐟🚌🌅.

12 April 2021 - 14:59

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We have been to Skokloster on a few occasions, separately. Among other things, I (Helena) was there at an event once, with a market and tower games and such. Now we have visited the castle again together, so maybe there will be a report 😉 Wish you a nice week too!
  
  12 April 2021 - 18:01
  
BP says:

Where you are standing in the header picture with the castle in the background, there were all kinds of sports and vintage cars - the Automobile Sportscar Show between 1998 and 2011. We went there on the last Sunday in August during all these years. Up on the gravel field directly in front of the castle were the Corvette cars. I can say that it was a very cool sight. http://christer.tarning.se/bil/show.Rosersberg.html

12 April 2021 - 19:14

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What fun to see the pictures! How cool that they organised such an event at the castle!
  
  13 April 2021 - 8:34
  
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Another nice post about castles, thank you.
I recently read about Rosersberg Castle somewhere, so I knew about it.
So interesting with your castle reports!

13 April 2021 - 14:36

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm glad you like the reports! Maybe you read from From city to beach? She also wrote about Rosersberg just recently.
  
  13 April 2021 - 17:08
  
  - Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:
    
    Right, that's what I read about the castle.
    
    14 April 2021 - 9:32
    
Lisa says:

Exciting report - we live in Sigtuna and think you have captured most things here in the neighbourhood. Love Rosersberg Castle and especially walking in the park and along the water.

13 April 2021 - 22:36

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What fun that you, who live in Sigtuna, like the report! Nice area and beautiful castles!!!
  
  14 April 2021 - 8:04
  
Emma, sun like sun? says:

At Rosersberg Castle the son learned to ride a bike and at Skånela Castle we walked a lot because we lived a few hundred metres away along the road. So those are my home areas before we moved to Spain.

13 April 2021 - 22:42

Lena - good for the soul says:

That didn't sound very good about the car park. Good thing nothing happened!

I have been to Steninge Castle. Not inside the castle itself, but had a Mother's Day brunch next door. Really nice food. Recommended.

Hug Lena

22 April 2021 - 12:58

Rosersberg Castle - a royal castle in Sigtuna, Sweden

Rosersberg Castle

The castle where time stood still

Visiting Rosersberg Castle

The palace halls - a well-preserved time bubble

The castle park at Rosersberg Castle

Romanesque eastern tower churches: Norrsunda and Skånela.

Skånelaholm Castle in Sigtuna

RV park at Steningebadet

Steninge Castle in Sigtuna

See more in the neighbourhood

Have you visited Rosersberg Castle?

Facts about Roserbserg Castle

History at Rosersberg Castle

18th century

19th century

20th century to present

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13 Comments

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Lisa says:

Helena says:

Emma, sun like sun? says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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