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Stora Sundby slott

05 April 2021 / 23 Comments

Stora Sundby Castle - fairytale castle on the banks of Lake Hjälmaren

Stora Sundby Castle is a fairytale castle with turrets and towers, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Hjälmaren. The castle is privately owned, but visitors are welcome to the castle park and to walk in the beautiful deer enclosure. Wow, what an amazing place!

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Stora Sundby Castle

Stora Sundby Castle is a privately owned residence. Yes, a young family actually lives in this fairytale castle! If you were unlucky, the whole area would be closed with gates and locks, but that's not the case. You are welcome to roam around almost the whole neighbourhood, and we thank you for that!

Stora Sundby slott

Stora Sundby Castle is located on the banks of Lake Hjälmaren, about 28 kilometres southeast of Eskilstuna. The castle is located in Eskilstuna municipality, in Södermanland County.

Ulrika wished for a fairytale castle

The history of Stora Sundby castle dates back to the 13th century, but at that time it was a simple defence system located right next to the current building. In the 16th century, a new castle was built, Sundby Hus, which is the foundation of the castle you can see today.

Utsikt från Stora Sundby slott

Long owned by the Sparre family, the castle was taken over in the 19th century by Count Carl De Geer and his wife Ulrika. Ulrika was not very impressed by what she saw and wanted a 'romantic knight's castle' in the style of Sir Walter Scott's novels about the noble knight Ivanhoe.

Apparently wanting to make his wife happy, Count De Geer sent plans for the castle to Peter Frederick Robinson in Scotland, the same architect who designed Walter Scott's knightly Abbotsford House. After a while, they received back drawings of a magnificent Norman-style castle.

Here in Sweden, the task was given to master builder Abraham Nyström. Most of the old castle was preserved and expanded according to plans. In 1848, after 16 years, the new castle was completed. Stora Sundby Castle now had:

  • 4 large towers symbolising the seasons
  • 12 smaller towers symbolising the months of the year
  • 52 rooms symbolising the weeks of the year
  • 365 windows symbolising the days of the year
Stora Sundby slott

In 1888 the Klingspor family took over the castle. It was initially leased out, but since 1937 the family has lived here in the castle themselves. They are engaged in forestry, agriculture and property management. They also work with nature and game conservation, organise hunting and show the interior of the castle on special occasions. There are many smaller buildings in the grounds, such as stables and houses where people live.

Byggnad vid Stora Sundby slott

Visiting Stora Sundby Castle

It is fantastic that the Klingspor family choose to welcome visitors to the castle park and deer enclosure. When you visit, you are welcome to swish 20 SEK/adult, which goes to the maintenance of the park, but it is voluntary.

You are asked to respect private signs, but only the immediate area around the castle is signposted as private. No wonder! You get the chance to see the castle at a relatively close range, and you can also experience the fantastic the surrounding nature.

Helena vid Stora Sundby slott

Runestone at Stora Sundby Castle

Right next to Stora Sundby Castle are the ruins of the first castle. There is also a rune stone here, and on it is written:

Stone, Fastulv, Härjulv erected this stone after Gelv, his father, and after Ulvvid, Gelv's brother. Kumlet made wise sons of Holmlög.

Runsten vid Stora Sundby slott

The deer enclosure at Stora Sundby Castle

The deer enclosure at Stora Sundby Castle is open for walking around. Just remember to close the gates behind you so that the animals don't get out. And wow, what a fantastic environment! We were completely stunned when we walked around, so incredibly beautiful!

The nature is relatively open, with beautiful tall trees, large fields and rivers where nature is reflected. Everywhere you hear and see herons and different kinds of ducks. There are also deer and mouflon sheep here.

Deer and mouflon sheep

Did we see any deer or mouflon sheep? In fact, we saw hundreds of deer. At first we were fascinated when we saw about 30. Later we saw a few hundred in a field, and then we saw about 40 fawns hiding in the forest. Today I only take photos with a mobile phone camera and unfortunately it is difficult to take photos from a distance with a mobile phone.

Hjortar vid Stora Sundby slott

Unfortunately, we didn't see any mouflon sheep, but they are present in the area. Just to show you what a mouflon sheep is (in case you, like us, didn't know) we have borrowed a picture. Mouflon sheep are wild or feral domestic sheep, with long curved horns on the hind legs. You might see them if you visit the castle!

The mouflon sheep in the picture has nothing to do with the article... Photo: Pixabay

See more in the neighbourhood

From Stora Sundby Castle it is not far to Eskilstuna. We can also recommend a visit to Sundbyholm Castle and guest harbour.

Alla våra bästa tips om Södermanland
All our best tips about Södermanland. Click on the image!

Have you visited Stora Sundby Castle?

Have you visited Stora Sundby Castle? Have you even had the chance to visit the interior of the castle? What did you think? Do you have any other tips in the neighbourhood?

Facts about Stora Sundby Castle

  • Country: Sweden:
  • County: Södermanland
  • Municipality: Eskilstuna
  • Location: On the banks of the Hjälmaren
  • Read more: You can find more information at the castle's website

Visitor information

  • Castle Park: The park is open all year round from 09-19. You can see the old castle ruins, a rune stone and the castle garden. Signs labelled "private" must be respected.
  • The deer enclosure: You can walk in the beautiful deer enclosure, which is reached by walking to the left of the castle. Be sure to close the gates so that the animals do not leave the enclosure.
  • Slottscafé: In the summer of 2020 there was a summer café in the yellow barns, in the farm's old orangery. It is unclear what will happen in 2021 and beyond.
  • Tour of the castle: The castle is not open to the public. Groups of at least 20 people can book tours in advance. Open tours are held on special occasions. See the castle's Facebook page for information.
  • National Day celebrations: The celebration of Swedish Flag Day is a tradition, with guest speakers, a choir, fiddlers and flag distribution. The celebrations were cancelled in 2020, and it is unclear what will happen in 2021.
  • Hunting: At Stora Sundby Castle, hunting is organised for groups. It is mainly pheasant and duck hunting, but also moose, wild boar, fallow and red deer, roe deer and mouflon.

History at Stora Sundby Castle

  • 13th century: The history of Stora Sundby Castle began. Sometime during this period, a simple defence system was built, strategically located at Hjälmaresund.
  • 1364: The castle was besieged by Albrecht of Mecklenburg, who was feuding with the future king of Sweden, Magnus Eriksson.
  • 15th century: The old castle was abandoned and a new one was built on the site of the current castle.

1500s to 1600s

  • 16th century: The new castle was completed and was called 'Sundby Hus'. The castle belonged to the Sparre family by marriage.
  • 17th century: After a period of decay, the castle was redecorated, and the Knights' Hall was added at this time.
  • 1714: After the death of Axel Sparre's widow (Beata Stenbock), the castle again fell into disrepair.
  • 1722: Erik Sparre of Sundby took over the property and carried out an extensive restoration.

19th century

  • 19th century: The castle and estate were bought by Count Carl De Geer. His wife Ulrika was not impressed with the castle and wanted a romantic knight's castle. Carl De Geer sent drawings to the architect Peter Frederick Robinson, who had designed Abbotsford House in Scotland, who drew up plans for a fairytale castle in the Norman style. Master builder Abraham Nyström was commissioned and construction took 16 years.
  • 1845: Stora Sundby Castle was completed.
  • 1888: The Klingspor family took over the castle. Initially, the castle was leased to Princess Stephanie von Wedel.

20th century to the present

  • 1937: The Klingspor family moved close to the castle.
  • Present tense: Today, Mauritz and Ida-Sofia Klingspor live and run Stora Sundby.
All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

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05 April 2021 6:00
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20 Comments

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  1. diana's dreams says:

    What a beautiful castle, lovely you have it hugs

    05 April 2021 - 7:37

    Reply

  2. Matts Torebring says:

    WoW Fantastic! How nice that it is used as accommodation. If you are interested in living in a castle after this fantastic castle trip, we have a slightly smaller castle for sale at Lake Ralången a few kilometres from the village at home. https://www.boneo.se/artikel/stjarneborgs-slott-en-helt-unik-bostad-bara-till-salu-pa-boneo-se

    05 April 2021 - 8:05

    Reply

  3. bmlarstravellingblog says:

    What a beautiful fairytale castle and surroundings! Nice that it is used as a residence. We had never heard of Sundby Castle.

    05 April 2021 - 8:27

    Reply

  4. Mr Thimon says:

    You really inspire me to make a castle trip. What a castle with its surrounding environments.

    05 April 2021 - 9:08

    Reply

  5. Ama de casa says:

    WOW!!! This is what a castle should look like! So heavenly beautiful 😀 Although it would probably be hard to clean, so I do not think I would want to live there... 😉

    Have a nice Boxing Day!

    05 April 2021 - 9:24

    Reply

  6. Inga+Magnusson says:

    Thanks for the interesting info about the castle! The idea of a castle trip is exciting, Sweden has a lot to offer of such things!

    05 April 2021 - 9:43

    Reply

  7. Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

    No sign of the farmer's wife at Sundbyholm Castle! Nice round you make around Lake Mälaren.

    05 April 2021 - 12:36

    Reply

  8. Lena - good for the soul says:

    What a beautiful castle! How nice that it is inhabited by private individuals and that you can still get close to it.

    Hug Lena

    05 April 2021 - 14:15

    Reply

  9. BP says:

    It really was a fairytale castle, very un-Swedish I must say, almost a bit oriental. Great fun that you can stroll around the area and that for 20 kronor. Unbelievable! Then I wonder who wants to voluntarily clean 365 windows;-)

    05 April 2021 - 18:57

    Reply

  10. Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

    I have not been here yet but have read a lot about this castle and it is high on my wish list for excursions in the spring/summer. It looks so nice!

    06 April 2021 - 22:53

    Reply

  11. Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

    It's nice to be welcomed into the park.
    I recognise this castle, but have forgotten most of the history. Don't think I've been there, so must have read about it.
    Looks like a castle should and beautifully located.
    So interesting with your castle reports, thank you!

    07 April 2021 - 10:13

    Reply

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